Evening star., 1901-03-29
SITUATION IN CUBA
This Government is Not Worrying
Over It.
GROUND NOW FOR OPTIMISM
What Some Returning Represent
atives Privately Say.
THE ULTIMATE OUTCOME

| returning senators and representatives who
have recently visited the island, is likely to
| attract the interest Of the public to a con-
| siderable extent for the next few months
1t Is not believed that for the present at
| least it will demand the attention of the
| government to an undue degree.
At this stage Of the proceedings, it Is ex-
| planned, 1t is not for the United States gov
| ernment to do the worrying. 1t is for the
| 'other fellow to lie awake of nights and
| walk the floor. The adoption by Congress
Of the Platt amendment passed the prob
lens of the situation up to the Cubans.
The United States it is pointed out, simply
has to stand on its present position and
wait for the Cubans to come to the terms
proposed.
Returning congressman, in discussing the
situation, outside of the authorized inter-
views they have given to the public, say
that the adoption of the Platt amendment
was a master stroke and almost an inspira-
ton. II the CubanS accept the amendment
this government gains distinct advantages
and all is well. If they do not-wen,
anairs will go along as of old in a way
tirely satisfactory to the United States,
| unless insurrection occurs. In the latter
event the outcome might be of a nature to
settle once for all the Cuban problem.
Ground for Optimism.
So, whichever way the situation is view
ed, there seems to be ground for optimism,
the congressman say. The United States
government does not object to the admin
| istration Of Cuba's affairs for the pres
ent, especially as the. work being done
In the island is of a humanitarian nature
and certain to uplift the people Of Cuba
ard ultimately rebound to the credit and
benefit of this country as we'll.
If the Cuban leaders feel that they cam
not accept the Platt amendment yet, and
want a little more time to educate the
mass of the people to a realization of the
business of the demands of this country,
there is no disposition in Congress, and
doubtless none in the administration, to
hurry them. The United States troops can
as well remain a little longer in the island,
and in the meantime General Wood and
the American officers can continue to give
the Cubans lessons in Anglo Saxon methods
of government and municipal administra-
ton, SO different from their Latin tradi-
tions.
vana yet as to the next step for the Cuban
constitutional convention to pursue IN case
the Platt amendment is rejected. Appar-
emily the Cubans have not considered that
subject. unless an occasional yelled threat
to take to the bush" from some of the
hotheads may be considered a suggestion
of an alternative 1t is certainly not
thought in Washington that the Cubans as
sumo for moment that their rejection of
the amendment will cause the United States
to recede from the position taken in the
duOptlOu Oh the amendment.
1t would seem, therefore, that If they
think about the future at all it must be to
realize that if they reject the amendment
1t will be to postpone the establishment OF
their republic and the withdrawal of the
United States authorities ana troops to a
time uncertain, if not remote. 1t is not
credible, 1t is said that the Cubans should
think for moment that they can go ahead
and enforce their Constitution and set up
a government without the consent Of the
United States.
The Presidents Authority.
In this connection it is pointed out that
the Platt amendment provides that the
President Is hereby authorized to leave the
government and control Of the Island of
Cuba to it's people so soon as a govern
ment shall have been established in "aid
island under a constitution which, either
as part thereof, or in an ordinance ap-
pended thereto. shall define the future rela-
tions Of the United States with Cuba, sub
visions of the amendment Until this re-
quirement Is met, the President has no
authority to relinquish control of the
island.
The situation is highly satisfactory to the
element in Congress which is looking out
for certain protected interests of this coun-
try. These men, representing, it is claimed,
large constituency in the United States,
Insist that there shall be no breaking down
OF the customs tariff between the United
States and Cuba. They are jealous of any
move in that direction. and contented with
any program which promises to preserve
the existing situation.
The Supreme Court has declared that
Cuba Ia q foreign country. The extreme
protective tarin adherents insist that 1t
shall so remain. Therefore, they are will.
ing that the present status shall continue |
until the Cubans have established their
own government Then their fight will be |
to prevent the making Of treaties or reci-
procity arrangements which will breach |
the tariff walls.
The beet sugar producers the tobacco |
growers and the cane sugar planters are
back Of this element This interest was
strong enough to set up an agitation which
resulted in levying a tariff on Porto RI
can products, and the men who led the
movement then announced that 1t was |
Cuba they had mainly in mind, and that |
ultimately their big fight would come to |
keep out the Cuban products.
Question of Annexation.
Yet the very men who now take this |
view, however, or the wish of a large
Cuba is the final outcome. They want to |
stave it of as ldng as possible. The rad
ical annexationists believe that there NAV
be insurrection II the Platt terms are not
agreed upon. and In their opinion this will
be the quickest way to annexation. They |
think that II the arms of the United
States have to be turned against the Cu-
ban people it will result in this government
taking the island outright This is not the
view, however. or the wish of a large |
element in Congress that think an
nexation will eventually come They in
cline to the opinion that the situation will
work out best by granting the Cubans in
dependence as soon they accept the
Platt amendment, and by thus giving
them a taste of free government. Almost
the unanimous opinion is that the Cubans
after time, will tire of their Republic
and that this sentiment as Well as inexor-
able commercial reasons will dictate a |
closer union with the United States.
Local Pensions.
Pensions were granted to citizens of the
District of Columbia today as follows: