New-York tribune., 1901-02-08
OH OBLIGATIONS ~ CHA.

II is well TO bear in mind the number and
character OF our obligations in Cuba. The Teller
resolution is not the only one nor is it, as so
many seem 10 think, primarily compact with
or promise 10 the Cuban people. The Cubans
were not consulted concerning il. They did not
ask for il: probably most of them did not want
il. II made gratutously. far they
were concerned. The only demand for il was
made by a small part Of our own people. and
the chief need Of il was supposed 10 he 10 assure
other nations that we We're not entering upon a
war Of conquest The pledge. then. such as it
was. WAS primarily and chiefly TO ourselves and
10 the neutral nations of the world. and only
incidentally 10 Cuba itself--a fact which makes
II none tho less hut perhaps rather the more
binding.
That was not. however. and is not our only
obligation in respect to Cuba. In dwelling upon
il must not forget the equally authoritative
and formal declaration of our reasons for and
our purpose in intervening in the affairs Of that
island We intervened. so the Government Off
cially declared. because the conditions prevail
ing in Cuba were an offence TO humanity and
menace 10 our own wellbeing We interviewed
moreover. 70 put an end 10 those conditions
and. Of course 10 provide against their recur-
rence-and 70 establish I'm the island a stable
government. capable Of fulfilling it's interna-
tional obligations. That pledge still stands. We
owe il 10 ourselves and 70 the other nations of
the world. well as 10 Cuba. 70 fulfil that
pledge just much as the other. II we permit
Cuba 70 lapse into the intolerable conditions
thar prevailed in 1897. or il we sanction the
establishment of government unable un-
willing TO discharge its international obliga-
tions. we are convicted before the bar of the
world Of failure 70 keep our pledge and TO fulfil
our duty
There is. happily radical incompatibility
between the two obligations All that is neces-
sary is TO fulfil each in the light of the other
Under the strict letter OF the Teller resolution.
according TO one Interpretation that may be put
upon ii, we had no business TO remain in Cuba
a single hour after the end OF the war. The
moment 'pacifcation' was effected we should
have scuttled, leaving the hapless people to form
their constitution and establish their government
as best they could: and II the island had fallen
into anarchy We should have gone by on the
other side Under the strict letter Of the other
pledge might take permanent possession of
the island and set up government Of our own
without regard 10 the wishes Of the people. No
right minded man. however. seriously proposes
10 take either Of these extreme courses The
most ardent champions Of the Teller resolution
have aoquiesced in and approved what some
Nouiu Edll tnt NlOldilOD or ~ NhiCn II might he
argued that we have committed by staying in
Cuba until the people can form their own con-
stitutiOn and set up their own government
Each Of the pledges is 10 be kept and full
filled; but, as We have said, each is TO be re-
garded in the light of the other. We are, in ac-
cordance with the one. 20 secure in Cuba the
establishment Of a stable government capable
/ OF observing its international obligations; but
4 IN accordance with the other there must be n
government Of the island. by the Cubans, and
Tor the Cubans. Again. are I'm accordance
with the Teller resolution, 10 leave the island
10 self-government; but according TO the other
obligation. that is TO be done only when we
have secured there the establishment Of a gov
eminent able TO maintain order and TO discharge
Alright its duties toward all the world II IS not
by doing one thing TO the very letter and neglect
ing all else that duty is TO be fulfilled but
rather by equally dischargng all valid obliga-
tons, in the spirit Of them all.