The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-02-07
CUBAN AFFAIRS PARAMOUNT.

In Washington there Is more interest In
the affairs of Cuba just now than in those
of the Philippines. 1t seems to be ad-
mitted by administration senators that
the question as to whether or not there
will be an extra session of Congress de-
re1ds on whether the Cuban constitu-
ton will be ready for the consideration
of Congress before March 4. If Congress
can get away from Washington before the
Cuban Constitutional Convention COM
pletes It's work it is pretty certain that it
will not be called back TO determine
what, if any, action shall be taken in re-
spect 10 the Cuban constitution.
1t is not claimed by either Democrats
or Republicans that Congress has any
authority to change the Cuban constitu-
ton. The only thing it can do is to make
suggestions to the Cubans, if it is not sat
isfied with it.
The Cuban convention has not followed
the instructions of Gen. Wood, given to
the delegates at the time that the con-
vention met. One of the Instructions was
that the convention should fix the status
of the Island in its relation to the gov
eminent of the United States. Nothing of
| the kind has been done. The convention
has practically ignored the United States.
| Naturally there is some feeling on this
account It is thought that as Cuba owes
her release from the yoke of Spain to the
United States. the least she could do
would be to make some acknowledgment
of the fact in her constitution.
1t is probable, however. that the con-
stitution will be approved just as it comes
| from the Cuban Constitutional Conven-
ton. The impression is gaining ground in
Washington that the Cuban people would
never be satisfied If they were not given
trial at independence.
| If the United States were given author
| ity to supervise her treaties and to es-
tablish a naval station on the island, the
Cubans would feel that they were not
exercising full sovereignty. and they would
be in a perpetual state of unrest. All
! things considered, therefore, it is better
that they should have absolute control
of their affairs.
Such an experiment however-it is
likely to be nothing more than that-wiH,
in all probability, be a costly one for the
United States. They have already spent
hundreds of millions of dollars and sac
riiced many thousands of lives in freeing
Cuba from Spain, and they may have to
spend much more money and waste many
more lives to protect her from enemies
that will likely attack her. She has no
army or navy, and hence win not be in a
position for many years, if left to herself,
to guard her own interests.
1t is well understood that the 800, 900 900
of bonds which Spain issued against Gu
han revenues during her wars on the
island for the suppression of instructions,
are held by citizens of France and Spain.
There appears to be ground for saying
that just az soon as Cuba becomes a SOW
ereign state a demand for the payment of
these bonds will be made. OF course Cuba
could not stand such a load of debt as
the payment of these bonds would impose
| upon her.
| An attempt, however, might be made to
| compel her to pay these bonds. Would
not the United States have to step In and
protect her? They could not afford to see
the revenues of the new republic taken
possession of by European Powers. They
would therefore have second war on
their hands for Cubas benefit. But if they
should go to Cuba's aid again it is prob
able that they would retain, permanently,
some sort of authority in the island.
What Cuba ought to do is to repudiate
the bonds for which Spain made her re-
| sponsble. She ought to make her pur-
pose in respect to them plain In her con-
sitution. Why the constitutional conven-
ton has refused to do so is one of the
things which is not understood. If the
| United States had authority to make sug-
gestions in regard to the constitution it
is probable that they would insist upon
a provision of that kind being placed in
it. Perhaps the time is not distant when
the Cubans will regret not having provid-
ed for closer relations with the United
States.