The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-17
TIME TO USE COMMON SENSE.

room TO question.
TINE TO USE COMMON SENSE.
The Cuban problem has evolved to that
stage where the application of common
sense affords the only hope of solution.
During the days before the beginning
Of the Spanish war and also during the
negotiations leading to the treaty of
Paris the administration made many
and serious diplomatic blunders. These
blunders arose from the disposition 80
deal with the present, taking no thought
of the future 1t would seem that a
statesman with sufficient experience to
be made a member Of a peace commits
sion would have foreseen the logical re-
suit of policy deliberately entered upon.
1t would seem that such a man would
have been familiar enough with the con-
stitution of his country to know that
republic with limited constitutional pow
ers cannot hold subjects. It would seem,
also, that an ordinary congressman
would have detected the difficulty which
a government would meet in establish
ing a stable government on foreign soil
without exercising a protectorate over
the new nation. It would seem that
when congress resolved that the people
of Cuba are and of right ought to be
free and independent" some one Of that
body would have foreseen the difficulty
Of Withdrawing an army Of occupation
when once firmly established. But it
would seem that experience alone has
been the teacher in this school of nation
building.
One of the chief causes Of the war with
Spain, was the blowing up Of the Maine.
Not that the Spanish government was
responsible for that act Of treachery, but
because a nation which could not pro-
lost all power to govern and must needs
relinquish a sovereignty which it could
no longer maintain. 1t was self-interest
that moved the great republic to armed
intervention in behalf Of Cuba. The an
nouncement that the Cubans ought to be
free was but diplomatic declaration to
ward off adverse criticism and to deny
in advance the assertion that we, were
seeking additional territory That has
served it's purpose. The war is over
Spain is driven from the Western CONT
nent and from the Pacific. The great re-
public has shown that the war which
ended and a war of conquest is now on.
The mask has been removed and there
is no longer any necessity for subter
fuge. Do we want Cuba as our very
own? No, we must keep faith with Cuba
and the world. But that world will not
object if we assume suzerainty over the
island We are as much interested In
the peace and prosperity Of Cuba as we
were when Spain was keeping it in a
continual turmoil. 1t Is peace and a
stable government in Cuba that we want
and we have the power to demand it.
The Cubans may object to the idea OF
United States exercising a supervision
over her foreign treaty relations, but
what IL they do? 1t is better for them to
object and have done with it while We
have our troops in their midst than for
us to withdraw and be compelled at some
future date to intervene again with no
ground for Intervention but cracked
and splintered Monroe doctrine.
The common sense Of the nation will
back the president in demanding of the
Cubans good and sufficient guarantee
that the interests of Uncle Sam shall be
protected first, last and all the tine
And it is not enough for them to say we
will remember you. The organic law of
the land should recognize the authority
of the United States in all foreign mat
ters AS to the regulations of trade
those can be arranged by the proper au-
thorities Of the new government.
The president is justified in maintain
ing American occupation until these
guarantees are given. If the resolution
of April %, 1898, went too far and gave
the Cubans and the world a wrong idea,
we are sorry for 1t, but until the United
States is safe from any disturbance in or
about Cuba it is justified in taking meas
ures to insure that safety.