The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-04-01
I'LL DEPENDS ON CUBANS
GEN. FTTZHUGH LEES VIEWS ON
THE FUTURE OF THE
ISLAND
PLEDGE OF THIS GOVERNMENT
When the Constitutional Conven-
tion's Work LIS Completed Control
VIII Presumably BE Given
to the Government.

OMAHA, Neb., March 31.-Gen. Fitz-
hugh Lee, for the first time since his
retirement from the army, has given
expression to his views with regard to
the future of Cuba. The occasion was
the banquet given in his homer at the
Omaha club. After referring to his SER
vice as consul general and in the army
in that island, he said:
'tMore than ever must there be an
exercise of patriotism in it's highest
sense by the citizens of the United
States The ship of state has extended
it's sailing chart to parts of the world
undreamed of until recently as being in
its course The Philippines are ours by
treaty and their future, so far as the
United States is concerned, should be
duly determined by congress after, and
not before, the armed resistance to the
authority OF the United States has ceas-
ed. The splendid exploit of Funston
throws a brilliant light upon the COM
ing path of peace.
Porto Rico is ours by conquest, while
Cuba has it's status fixed by the Teller
resolution In the act declaring war
against Spain. Under that resolution the
United States disclaims any intention of
exercising sovereignty, Jurisdiction or
control over the island of Cuba, except
for the pacification thereof, and when
that is accomplished the government Of
the island should be turned over to it's
own people. That solemn declaration is
binding on our government and, in my
opinion, will be and should be rigidly
adhered to.
UNITED STATES PLEDGES.
''The expenditure Of treasure and blood
the dead American soldiers and sailors,
the geographical location of the island,
the large interests held by the Ameri-
cans, Spanish, English, German, French,
and indeed the Cubans themselves, de-
mand that the island should not only be
pacified but be permanently pacified. The
pledge of the United States does not
demand that American control or super
vision be absolutely withdrawn If the
United States, from evidence before the
proper department, believes that tie
Cubans will fight among themselves be-
fore or shortly after the American SOL
diers now in Cuba stack their muskets
on American soil.
'sThe war was waged to make Spain
withdraw its land and naval forces from
Cuba and relinquish it's authority on the
island. That having been accomplished,
the United States is now concerned in
upholding it's solemn pledge of paciflca-
ton in the interests of all.
Cuba will agree in time to the con-
ditions imposed by the Platt members in
the interest of its own dependence, and
In order that the United States can
faithfully maintain the pledged pacifica-
ton of the island.
WILL BE GIVEN CONTROL.
"Thirty-one members were elected, or
rather selected, from the whole island to
constitute a constitutional convention.
When it's work Is completed, the or
ganization of a government should fol-
low and when that Is accomplished the
control of the island will undoubtedly be
turned over to the Cubans The foreign
and other property holders want pro-
lection and peace. The majority OF
Cubans constituting the agriculturists
are apparently ignorant that a conven,
ton is in session and it Is most difficult
to make them vote on any question.
Many portions Of China did not know a
war was in progress with Japan; so
many Cubans pay no attention to tho
war Of words of the convention The
ex-Cuban soldiers are active and more
or less excited. When the time comes
to fill the government offices they win
be heard from often and early
"Cuba.s future Will be determined by