The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-01-31
circulation Statement.
The cuhnn Settlement.

President Mckinley announced inten-
ton to send the proposed Cuban Constitu-
ton to Congress for consideration and
action as soon as the official copy OF that
document is received at the White House
has occasioned 4 considerable stir on Cap
itoI Hill Many Senators and Representa-
tives look upon reference OF the matter
to the National Legislature. at this time
at least. as extremely upwise. They argue
that the Joint Resolution passed in April,
1898. estops Congress from interfering in
any way. Should the President adhere to
his purpose it is evident that a stormy
debate will ensue. and one which viii tend
to anything but the promotion of Ameri-
can public interests in Cuba The Joint
Resolution in question reads as follows:
whereas the abhorrcnt conditions which have
existed for more than three years It the Island
OF Cuba 50 near or own borders. have shocked
the moral sense Of the people Of the United
States have been a dis-r7ce 10 Christian civil
zafion. eliminating as They have. in the destruc-
ton Of United Stats battleSln. with 266 Of its
officers and crew. While on friendly visit in
dured. a. has been SET forth by the President Of
the United States IN his message. upon which the
action OF Congress VAS invited: therefore
'.ResoIved-FTrst that the people Of the Island
Of Cuba arc and of right ought TO be. free and
independent
Second. that it is the duty Of the United
States to demand, and the Government Of the
United States does hereby demand, that the Gov
eminent OF Spain At relinquish its authority
snd Government in The Island Of Cuba and with
draw It's land and naval forces from Cuba and
Cuban waters
Third that the President Of the United States
be- ard he hereby Is directed and empowered TO
use the entire land and naval forces Of the United
States and TO call INFO the actual service Of the
United states the militia OF the several States
to sic extent as may be necessary 10 carry these
resolutions into effect
Fourth that the United States hereby dis
claims any DISPOSITION or intention 20 exercise
sovereignty jurisdiction. OF control over said
island. except for the Pacihcation thereof. and
asserts its determination. when that IS accom-
plished, TO leave the government and control Of
the island 10 its people
Were we inclined to be hypercriticaI
we might indulge in a mild expression of
surprise that a mere Joint Resolution
should so inhame the consciences of
statesmen who have not hesiIated to as
sist in violating and defying the Constitu-
ton Of the United States at the behest Of
the Administration. and solely for the
of certain trusts and monopolies
these times. as in those of Jeru-
the Golden, men are not wanting
strain at a gnat and swallow a
insicaiIy. the resolution is a serious
lie in the way of an imperative ma
necessity It is also a monument
ongressional-and Observation-Disclosures
edness- IN both Houses there were
national lawyers no knew that the
N taken meant inevitable var with
Span; that war would set Cuba free;
and that the law OF self-preservation
would then compel the United States to
protect Itself against the possibility of an
anarchic black republic at its doors. la
bic 70 embron this country with foreign
powers. or TO become the base of an enc
my'5 military operations against US. But
Congress resolved in haste and now re
penis at leisure
As We have said. the resolution consti-
tutes an annoying but aot an insuperable
obstruction The Cubans have been duly
warned that, before their political indie
pendence can be recognized, they must
establish stable government, salts
factory to the United States. Their con-
stitutiou in the shape it has taken in
the Constitutional Convention absolu. ely
ignores the services and sacrifices of
blood and treasure which this country
has devoted to the cause OF Cuban free
dom. A more despicable bit Of ingratf-
tude could not well be conceived. On
this account alone President Mckinley
would be justified in refusing tc notice
. the proposed constitution. In our opin-
ion ne should not only assume that po-
sition, but notify the Cuban people that
no constitution which they may frame
will be considered by the Washington
Government which shall not provide for
future relations between the island and
the United States in a way completely
satisfactory 20 the latter.
Il would be useless to mince words over
the business. This Republic cannot af-
ford and does not dare to permit the full
est degree Of sovereignty to Cuba. Her
war-maklng and treaty-making powers
must be under American control and the
United States must have ample conces-
sions Of harbors and lands for the pur-
poses Of naval and coaIing stations The
public debt contracting power must be
limited by a veto right vested in the
United States Government All these
things are necessary to the safety of the
country Unrestricted sovereignty for
Cuba would mean another Haiti. ready to
plunge in debt to any depth European
fnanciers would stand; equally ready 10
repudiate; hence. liable to invasion. oc-
cuDation. foreclosure, and annexation by
Esze transatlantic Power or Powers As