New-York tribune., 1901-02-03
LOOKING BEFORE LEAPTyG.

Senator Teller still regards Cuba with the
easy and somewhat precipitate optimism which
inspired his much discussed fourth resolution in
the Intervention act. AT that time. nearly
three years ago. this Nation Oh the verge
of one OF the most momentous acts of war posi-
bic 10 any Power. in which il was desirable
that II should have the utmost freedom both in
the immediate event of conflict and also in dis
posing of the sequent results thereof. But Sen
atOr Teller then insisted that this Nation should
undertake that mighty enterprise with fits hands
bound and its eyes blinded; that il should, un-
asked. commit itself in advance 10 a certain
course. without knowing whether or not that
course would be the best. His principle seemed
10 be 10 take leap in the dark. leaving the
landing spot to be ascertained after the Nation
had reached il. and TO pledge the Nation TO deal
with certain circumstances in a certain way
without knowing what those circumstances
were or were 10 be- Similarly al the present
time. this Nation is on the verge of one of the
most mOmentous acts possible in civil llfe-the
establishment of a new sovereign State among
the Powers Of the world. And similarly Sena-
tor Teller urges that il should do so with hands
bound and eyes blinded. trusting in happy-go-
lucky fashion that somehow other all will
go well after the event and that after making
a headloDg leap in the dark the Nation will find
itself on its feet and on solid ground.
With such views we cannot believe the ma
jority in Congress or the majority Of the Ma
tion will agree. There is too much belief In
the old saying that bird in the hand is worth
two in the bush. Prudent men do not vOlun-
tarily relnqush advantages TO which they are
entitled tand If they are acting in a repre-
sentative capacity they have no right tol un-
I'll they have made certain of gaining others
OF equal value. Men of conscientious regard
for duty DO not transfer their obligations to
others without first making sure that those
others will properly discharge them. Senator
Teller comedies that this Nation ought 10 have
certain especial rights and privileges in Cuba
But instead Of retaining them. now that we
have them. he would have us reIinauish them
altogether and trust TO getting them again al
some future date. He believes that orr reIa
tions with Cuba should be closer than those
of any other land. But instead of keep
ing them so. now that they are so. he would
put this Nation back on the same ground
with all Others and trust 10 Cuba's volun
tarily taking II back into intimate favor. In
other words. he would do in a semiinterna.
uonal case that which he would not dream Of
doing IN domestic relations and which no level
headed man would do in business; something
moreover. which this Nation is not hound 70
40 10y law or morals. and which. as we conf
| dently believe, and as the utrerances of Cuhan
| papers which we printed yesterday seem GER
fanny TO indicate. the Cubans themselves do
hot Wish or expect us 20 do. This country has
vast interests Of its own which must be pro-
teeted. and il has great Obligations toward
other nations which must be discharged Those