The Washington times., 1901-07-21
Circulation statement
The Defences of Cuba.


vention accepted the Platt terms, there
has been no good reason for our Gov
ernment further TO conceal its pre-
sumed intention to retain and perma-
nently to occupy the chief military de-
fences of the island. These include the
forts and batteries that guard Havana
Harbor, and the forts at Cienfuegos,
Santiago, and Matanzas. For several
days the report that the Administration
had decided to pursue the course indl-
Gated has been in circulation in Wash
ington. No official denial of its sub
stantial truth has been vouchsafed,
and public men close to the President
and Secretary Root are quoted as say
ing that it is correct.
1t Is natural enough that such pro-
gramme should excite bad temper and
bad language among the class of Gu
bans who have been hoping to enjoy
the license and loot incident TO the SOW
ereign and independent Government
modelled after Haiti that they hoped to
see set up. with themselves in the best
places near the till. All such persons
will protest loudly when the story OF
the military project reaches Havana,
but it will do no good. Our Federal au-
thorities would simply be insane if they
did not take advantage of the situation
to place the questions Of peace and or
der in Cuba and of her protection from
aggressions or assaults from without
beyond peradventure. This can only
be accomplished by holding every mil
itary stronghold on the coasts of the
country. and making each one of them
a West India1 Gibraltar. In addition
10 the works on the mainland, it may
be assumed that important fortifica-
tions iii be erected on the adjacent
Isle of Pines, which is American prop
erty under the terms of the Treaty of
Paris.
1t should be understood that the
proposition 10 occupy the forts formerly
belonging to Spain need not affect the
purpose of securing and occupying the
five naval and coaling stations provid-
ed for in the Platt terms. Probably, in
most cases, practically the same sites
will meet both army and navy require
ments That, we should say, would be
true of the harbors of Havana, san
tiage, and Cienfuegos. and probably of
that of Matanzas as well. A Washing
ton despatch to a leading Administra-
ton organ suggests the idea that
strict construction of the Platt amend
ment might confine armed occupation
TO the navy, since nothing is said in the
text concerning the retention of forts
But nobody should worry over that al
legged obstacle. 1t would net take Mr..
Root and Bunsby Magoon half an hour
to construct an opinion that sufficient
number of our coast artillery COM
panies could be assigned to temporary
duty as marines" and thus bring
them within the designation of sea SOL
diers for all necessary advertising pur-
poses, without the smallest infraction
of the law or impoHteness to the proph-
cts. He must be a dead man who does
not recognize the fact that anything
this Administration wants to do ii will
find a way to accomplish. If the Con-
stitution or the Revised Statutes cover
the case, all right. II they do not, and
are lions in the path, the White House
and Department Limited dashes along
just the same and bitches them.
We are not often in accord with |
President Mckinley and his advisers
on matters Of public policy. but in the |
present connection it is not improper |
TO say that If they should proceed to |
make assurance doubly sure in Cuba, |
and fasten American suzerainty fully 4
and safely by holding and garrisoning |
the island defences, they will be en-
titled to the commendatio of the en- |
tire mass of American citizens without |
regard to party.