The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-11
Our Relations With Cubn.

Perhaps. after all, it is. providentlal
that somebody blundered in arranging
tie preliminaries for the meeting OF the
Cuban Constitutional Convention. II
the American authorities in Cuba had
encouraged the conservative as they
did the long grass faction of the COM
munity. no doubt the Plat terms would
have been accepted. but contrary 90 the
wishes of the Cuban masses. The lat
ter then might have created a disturb
ance. and demonstrated the dangers in
volved in allowing any sort of self gov
eminent to Cuba while present condi-
lions should continue.
AS it is. the Constitutional Convention
has rejected the American terms. and
Cuba is in the position from which it
started But it is highly probable that
before Congress shall meet again the
Cubans may come to realize that half a
loaf is better than no bread, and be
glad to submit rather than to run the
risk of demands much more onerous in
character.
We are rather glad that the solution
has been postponed. The longer final
the more fully will it appear to the
American people that it would be un-
wise and unsafe to accord to Cuba any
scheme of independence which should
not include control over foreign rela
TONS and the war and debt making
powers of the new autonomous State.
The agitation in the island for absolute
sovereignty. originating as it has
among the most ignorant elements of
the population, is a sufficient warning
TO us to beware of the establishment of
another Haiti almost within sight Of
our shores The most intelligent of the
Cuban leaders. including men like Gen
eral Gomez, are agreed in declaring
that civil war and anarchy would fol-
low the withdrawal of American mill
tary control in less than sixty days.
TITS country has no desire to Cypress
Cuba. Were il prudent OF safe to do so.
The entire nation would support MIR.
Mckinley in evacuating the island ana
leaving the Cubans to sink or swim on
their own resources. But that course
would be neither beneficial to Cuba nor
proper in view of the interests of the
United States. We know, and the Gu
bans should know. that the moment
their unrestricted independence was
proclaimed, several European Powers
would be down upon them for a settle
ment ,of the Spanish-cuba bonds held
by subjects of the nations concerned. |
Then. to whom could they turn for pro-
tecGion2 1t would be a crime against
humanity to permit them to be forced
into acknowledging a debt Incurred by
Spain for the purpose Of DISCRIMINATING
them. Yet there is no way that we can
see to prevent such a result, except by
the establishment of an American SUI
zerainry which should bring the new
born country under the terms of the
Treaty of Paris. and thus extend its de-
OF the Spanish debt to all
time.
The Cubans seem TO believe that there |
Is universal public opinion in the !
Union in support of the hysterical Tel
Ter resolution of April. 1898. 1t is pity
that they are not better informed. /
Since the adoption of that resolution
this Government and the American peO- /
pie generally have learned more con- |
corning Cuban conditions than ever |
they knew before. The outcome of this |
knowledge is a consensus Of opinion |
that the island is not politically fit to
enter the family OF nations as a full
fiedged sovereignty. but should be kept |
under American tutelage and protec-
lion indefinitely. One Of these days the
natives may see the advantage OF be-
coming altogether American. Then they
may be able TO make terms which
would admit their territory to fun
statehood. But, in the meantime, II is
essential that they should recognize the
overlordship of the United States. and
be satisfied with the measure of local
independence that 1t can afford to allow
them.