The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-27
UNCLE SANS LAST WORD.

History makes its own surprises. The
visit of the Cuban commissioners to Wash
ington is a very unique incident and one
which Will probably occupy considerable
space in future histories that deal with
details. 1t has never happened before that
a great and powerful nation which has
liberated a struggling people from the do
miniOn Of 2 hated government has had to
ask the liberated people for a few guaran-
tees intended to protect the interests of the
liberated people as well as of the inter-
vening power. BY any international stand
ard or by any measurement of dollars and
cents it would be impossible to estimate
the value OF the service which the United
States has rendered Cuba. History fur
nobody dreamed of such an outcome.
Neither Spain nor the United States, and
least of all the Cubans. foresaw a war that
would result in the final expulsion of the
Spaniards from the western hemisphere
and the liberation and independence of
Cuba. This is what has happened. Now.
after two years of the best government
Cuba has ever known. a Cuban commits
sion is visiting Washington ostensibly to
ascertain whether the intentions of the
United States towards Cuba are honorable
and whether the new Cuban government
ought to assume an attitude of confidence
and friendship towards the nation tina has
given them independence or an attitude Of
distrust and hostility. That is the real
question involved in the present visit of
the Cuban commissioners to Washington.
Although their visit implies distrust and
ingratitude they should, of course, be kind
iy received and Hospitality treated. A
great anc powerful nation. cannot afford to
assume any other than a generous attitude
towards a people who are not yet porn as a
nation. But the Cuban commissioners
should be given to understand that polite
ness and generosity are one thing and BUSH
ness is another. They should be given to
understand that they cannot expect to be
the sole beneficiaries of a war prosecuted
primarily in their behalf. There are others.
American interests must be safeguarded as
well as Cuban. The Plat amendment
adopted by both houses of Congress is as
follows:
foreign power tending to impair her own
independence nor allow any foreign power
to obtain by colonization or for military or
naval purposes Judgment in or control over
any portion of the island.
2 The Cuban government shall not con-
tract any debt TO pay the interest upon
which and TO make reasonable sinking fund
provision for the Ultimate discharge of
which the ordinary revenues of the island
after defraying current expenses shall be
inadequate.
3. The United States shall nave the right
TO intervene for the preservation of Cuban
independence. the maintenance of a stable
government and for discharging the obliga-
ions imposed by the treaty Of Paris.
l.. All acts of the United States during
its military occupancy of Cuba are ratified
and rights hereunder shall be maintained
5. Plans to be agreed upon for the sani-
tation of Cuban cities and prevention of
epidemics.
6. Title to the Isle or Pines TO be ad-
justed by treaty.
Z. Cuba to sell or lease to the United
States lands for coaling or naval stations.
Considering what the United States has
done for Cuba these requests are very
moderate. They should have been granted
without a moments delay. Inasmuch. how
ever, as the Cuban commissioners have
seen mt to come TO WASHINGTON 10 Hnu Out
what the amendment means they should be
given distinctly to understand that it is the
ultimatum of the United States, that the
President has no authority to modify the
conditions, and that there is no probability
whatever that Congress will do so. They
should be kindly received and treated,
dined and wined in good style and sent
back with a firm assurance that the Platt
amendment is Uncle Sans last word.