The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-04-17
POLITICS IN CUBA.
Conditions in the Island Favor.
able to McKinley's Hold
on Policy.

Washington, april II 1-Strlct!y
speaking the Cuban convention has
not rejected the Platt amendment as
yet. but has only rejected report of
committee favorable to the amend
mens While this may seem dis
sinction without a difference, it is
really nothing of the kind. as il
leaves the amendment merely in the
position of not having been acted
upon, which, of course. is more
favorable to it than outright rejection
would be
The administration is not at all
worried by this result-so it is said.
In fact, it would be surprising if il
were, as the President is left in a
position where he can refuse to re
lease the island and yet be able to say
that his not doing so was the fault OF
the Cubaus themselves The United
States will now hold the island fo'
some eight months more at least be
fore Congress meets again to con
slider the question, and by thas time
it is hoped that something will turn
up which will ensble it to continue to
hold is-jnst Sc Gress Britain holds
Egypt. despite her pledges TO evac
uaee it when order and prosperity
had been restored
While the people of the United
States have always looked down upon
the Spanish Americans os turbuless.
revolutionary, stab in the back race,
still in the past shey have always wei
eoned their aspirations for independ
ence. as at least an evidence that
they might in time attain to some
thing better than they were capable
of at the moment The Monroe
doctrine was first formulated for the
protection of the South and Central
American States that were fighting
for independence from Spain 1t re
NAMED for McKinley's administration
to tske the tack that the Cubsns
who are undoubtedly The best of all
the Spanish Americans, would sink
into the condition of the black Hay
sians, or into condition of perpetual
warfare, the moment the United
States kept its pledge to vacste the
island
The wish TO retain the island is
undoubtedly father to this thought
and TO it is due the cloud of niare
presentation of motives which is 80
obvious Men who have been Office
seekers iu the United States all their
lives speak contemporary of the
Cuban leaders because they want
Office, declaring sheir sole desire for
independence is based on the long
ing for loot According TO the
Administration, there is scarcely 9
pure minded. honest native in Cuba
The National party, the largest and
strongest in Cuba. which includes
nearly all of the insurgent army,
whose platform is ''Cubs Lbre" and
immediate independence with ab
soluse control over their own affairs,
is denounced as merely a body of
self seeking politicians, regardless of
the fact that they fought for svo
years for independence, when the
prospects of success were few indeed.
sacrificing all they had and risking
cruel deaths
The Union Democratic party is
composed of the educated and
wealthy people, planters, merchants.
and nearly all of the Spanish popula-
tioa; the same clsss that were known
as Tories 10 our own revolutionary
war. Their platform is close and
friendly relstions with the United
States and conservative policy At
heart the Union Democrats are an
nexssionisss, bat they have not
thought it polite to proclaim that
principle.
The third party is called Republi
cen It's principles are almost identi
cal with those of the Cuban national
party, the only difference being in
their leaders, who are chiefly sore
heads. who sympatbized with the
rebels. but had not the spunk to go
and help them fight. and who now
desire to share in the rewards
If President Mckinley is able TO
End an excuse to retain rule in the
island until the Union Democrats can
be put iD power, be sure he will avail
himself of it
Basesburg, April ll-The Bates
A-=. I'D -nlan;na .S.