Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-04-11
Mr.. VEST ON CUBA.
The Senator Presents His Views
Concerning the Island.
The TELLER RESOLUTION DISCUSSED
The United States Urged to Let the Cubens
Try to Govern Themselves and When
They Fall They VIII Want to
BE Annexed.

Philadelphia, April S.-The Philadel-
phia Record prints signed article
from Senator Vest, in which the sena-
tor presents his views with reference
to the situation in Cuba. Discussing
the Teller resolution, which declared
that 1t was not the intention of the
United States to wage war for pur-
poses of conquest in the island, he
asserts it was an honest and truthful
expression of our feeling and inten-
ton toward Cuba. He says: 1.-THE
convention, which has been in session
in Cuba, comprised Of delegates Sc
lected by Cuban electorate, has had
for its object the framing Of a con-
stitution under which they shall be-
come self-governing people. In or
der that they shall have this oppor-
tunity of self-government it becomes
absolutely necessary for them to be
left free and untrammeled in their
constitutional effort. II the govern
ment Of the United States shall force
the Cuban people, as represented in
the constitutional convention, to
adopt system of government other
than those people would choose II left
to their own devices, the assertion
that we have kept faith with them
and with the world is mere falsehood.
"We have one right, and one only,
in this matter, and that right is also
a duty; we must insist that Ameri-
can citizens shall be accorded the pro-
lection and privileges which we grant
to aliens within our jurisdiction. This
requirement, indeed, we make Of all
governments with which we have
peaceful intercourse. The acquies-
cence on the part Of Cuba in this de-
mand presupposes stable govern
ment; for no other could afford to
our citizens sojourning under that
flag protection of life and property.
"rhere is nothing surer than that
the unlimited interference of the
United States with Cuban affairs at
this juncture will create--if, indeed,
there do not already exist-a hostile
sentiment among that people toward
all Americans and their methods. It
is indeed but natural that the Cubans
should be DESTROYS Of attempting self
government before confessing their
inability to rule themselves-the more
especially as they have sacrificed all
that men hold dear, save honor, for
the right to make the attempt. Until
they have essayed to govern they will
dream of success which no people
ever yet attained and nothing is more
likely than a Cuban revolt against
constitution Of foreign make. Over
against this prospect of disaster to us
and to them, in case we interfere with
their present experiment by the CO.
vert coercion of suggestion, lies the
course alike generous to them and
alone consistent with American honor.
Having given them liberty, let us per-
nit them to use 1t. II they succeed
in self-government we can sejoice
with them.
an the light Of history, it is prob
able that they will but repeat the
not too successful course of some of
the South American states; they are
the same in race. lineage and Ian
guage. The inevitable result would
be demand on the part of all order
loving Cubans for permission to come
under our flag, and this might result
in the frution of Mr.. Jefferson's hope
"A well rounded America inhabited
throughout by freemen owing ale
glance to government established by
the consent of the governed"