Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-09

CALCULATIONS. We annexationists are gain
ing Now there are three Of US, Lanuza,
Desvernine and Viondi.'
This story, which was repeated in all the
cafes of Havana, reflected a truth. Des-
vernine and Lanuza, who were In General
Brooke's cabinet and Viondi were about
the only Cubans who were willing to de-
clare for annexation. If any effort is made
to unite the conservative political elements
as an annexation party 1t will fail just as
surely as did the former efforts, for there
VIII never be real annexation party in
Cuba until theI experiment of an independ-
ent government has been given a fair trial.
But 1t is possible to unite the conserva-
tive influences in support of the policy
which recognizes the Cuban government
with Cuban president and congress, with
ministers and consular representatives
abroad and with the custom house and all
other branches of the administration in Gu
ban hands, yet with the United States back
of it all. The Cubans who believe in this
program are showing more aggressiveness.
They have established a newspaper and
they are insisting that they have the same
more radical Cubans.
Probable Declaration.
Probably the outcome of the present ses-
sions of the convention will be a declara-
ton controverting some of the resolutions
of Congress, yet getting a little nearer to
the recognition of the overshadowing fact
that the relation of Cuba toward the United
States Is different from it's relation toward
other countries. This will be an affirmation
of what the majority of the delegates have
recognized from the beginning. The dele
gate who complained that the people of
the United States did not understand the
difficulties of the convention and the Cuban
point of view cited especially the report
of the committee relations. which was
ratified by the convention and transmitted
to General Wood. This, he declared. had
1nf haoy,
However. its five points were cabled,
though the reasons on which they were
based may not have been given publicity.
The report was drawn by Juan Gualberto
Gomez, the colOred member of the commit
tee. 1t is very clever and adroit presen-
tation in most excellent Spanish of the
Cuban contention, yet all that is of real in
terest was contained in the five points
States insufficient. That this was sim
ply the opinion of the convention was
phrased very happily, and no fault can be
found with the sentiments Of friendship
and gratitude toward the United States.
One contention was that the Cuban consti-
tuition provided a sufficient check on the
debt-making power and that the new COM
monWealth would be sufficiently strong to
comply with all it's International obliea-
tons.
once during the debates, when the sug-
gestion was made that France or Germany
might send Warships to Havana to collect
d H.. u
Gualberto Gomez disposed Of this contin-
gency quite easily. THAT" he said, sis
not for US to discuss now. When the war
snips come II they ever come. we will
answer cannon with cannon" There are
some old cannons in Havana and elsewhere
which the United States insisted on Spain
leaving as the property of the future gov
eminent of Cuba, and which will be turned
over to the new commonwealth. Yet they
would hardly intimidate French or Ger
man warship.
At the time this declaration was made
several of Juan Gualberta Comez,s COL
leagues differed with him and frankly own
cd that when the warships appeared from
france or Germany they would get into
QUICK communtcat ton with Washington. vet
cnes nesltate about recognizing in their
CONSTITUTION, or rather supplement to 1t,
tnat TINS would be their only remedy.
A Sort of Joint Argument.
1t is possible that the report or declara-
ton which may be the outcome Of the nres-
ent sessions OF the convention will he
sort or joint argument meant for the Cuban
people and the American people. At the
manifestations or public meetings which
nave been held various propositions have
oeen made and further ones are likely to be
presented at the Sunday gatherings, for in
cuba Sunday is the day for political raj
lies One manifesto which I have seen is
addressed to President Mckinley and sets
forth in moderate language what may be
called the radical Cuban views It recttes
for his benefit the conditions In favor OF
the sovereignty and Independence OF Cuba
and reminds him that 1.-The supreme mission
OF the most exalted human organisms IS
contradicted by the Platt amendment So
the President Is asked to approve the work
OF the convention in drafting the constitu-
ton and formulating its opinion Of the re-
latons with the United States.
There is also an allocution to the Ameri-
can people demanding Justice and recit!ng
that absolute Independence, complete SOW
ereignty, without limitation of any KIM,
were and are the eternal. irrevocable ana
quenchable aspirations Of the island"
Therefore, in the name of gratitude for the
past and peace and welfare In the future
Cuba asks from the eternal grandeur OF the
American people the recognition Of her
right. the absolute independence Of the
country and the installation Of the sovereign
republic. But since these allocutions and
manifestoes were made the convention has
decided to go forward with It's sessions ana
discuss the Platt amendment, SO that per-
haps they need not be taken too literally.
Some Of the outcroppings Of the discus
sion are also practical. The Cubans con-
ton about the Isle Of Pines, and they
have not quite gotten over the surprise
that SO good friend Of Cuba as Senator
Morgan could hold that under the treaty
of Paris the United States has undisputed
title to 1t. Their International lawyers who
have degrees from European universities
more than ready to dispute that propo-
sition, but they bring forward a more di-
rect argument in their statement that the
United States has treated 1t all along as
Cuban territory. It's people took part as
Cubans in the election of delegates to the
constitutional convention. American real
estate agents have advertised 1t Ameri-
can territory, but 1 do not know of any
Americans who have bought land there be-
cause Of such advertisements. Actually, the
situation is not Of great importance, for the
Cubans know, as everybody else knows.
that with coaling and naval stations at
Havana or Santiago or Cienfuegos the
United States does not care for the Isle
Of Pines, the availability OF which for
either naval stations military reserva-
tons Is doubted by some good authorities.
CHARLES NJ PEPPER
Defending a Swindle.
From the Philadelphia North American.
F. B. Booth, wholesale oleo dealer of