The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-06-04
OUR CLAIMS IN CUBA.

Mr. Sidney Webster concludes an article
in the current issue of the North Ameri-
can Review. in which the course Of the
administra ton in regard to Spain, Cuba
and the Philippines is reviewed and criti-
cised. with the remark that when the Platt
amedment of 1901 was enacted, 1.-The fervid
emotions OF three years before regarding
Cubans had subsidized and returning reason
had brought 10 Washington perception of
the fact that. although Cuba is a foreign
country. the military defense Of the United
States must be considered as well as the
welfare of the Cubans." Elsewhere in the
article Mr.. Webster says that for three
quarters of a century secretaries of state
at Washington kept Cuba in mind, lest 1t
fall under the control of a European power.
to the menace of the United States. until
1898, when Congress seemed to forget that
Cuba must be. in the hands of itself,
power foreign to us. Those newspapers
which are now doing their utmost TO lead
the Cubans to reject the Plat amendment
may be said either to have forgotten the
solicitude of Presidents and American
statesmen as to the future of Cuba or the
danger that Cuba a foreign power, left
to itself. may. of its own accord. or by the
compulsion OF some European power place
the control of the island in the hands Of
those who can use il as a menace. Cuba
Under the control of foreign influences,
would be a greater danger to this govern
ment than Ii was under Spanish domina-
ton. To make this impossible and to place
the proposed government OF Cuba where
Cuba cannot be of it's own motion or by
force menace TO the United States is the
purpose of the Plat amendment.
With the exception of those who are
bound to oppose any policy of the admins
tration because they regard it good poll
tics, the American people have learned
something more regarding the Cubans than
they knew about them in 1885, We know
that the revolutionists could never have
won independence, and that their assist
ance in driving Spain out OF Cuba was of
little consequence. We know that If the
Cubans had been left to form a govern
ment when the Spanish army left the
island it would be filled with law
lessness, because those who would be in
position to assume control have none of
the qualities essential to the establishment
and maintenance of good government. The
occupation of Cuba by the United States
was as essential TO the welfare of the Gu
bans as 10 the security of the United
States. If Cuba were alone at the present
time. with no government behind 1t, would
not certain governments in Europe be de-
handing the payment of bonds sold by
Spain for the suppression of Cuban insur-
rections? Upon what ground could we
interfere unless one of these governments
should undertake to seize the territory? In
| that event costly war would in all prob
ability result.
The administration is anxious TO turn the
government of Cuba over to its inhabitants.
To that end il had a census taken and pro-
vided for the election Of a convention TO
form constitution. But. foreseeing the
evils sure to follow if so weak a people
is made foreign nation at Our doors. the
Congress has required for the well-being
| OF the Cubans and the safety of the United
States that certain clauses believed to be
| necessary TO the welfare of both peoples
! be inserted in the Constitution. Some oe
| these conditions protect Cuba against the
burdening of the island with the great
| volume of bonds which has been issued,
and others provide against hostile use of
the island against the United States and
make the United States the protector Of
| Cuba in case of invasion or revolution.
Congress demanded privileges that shall
not be conferred upon other governments.
Can any American object to such re-
uuiren.ent? If this government had not
interviewed. at great expense, Cuba would
yet be Spanish province.