Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-02-14


lngton circles. This may mean delay in
the formation Of Cuban government.
unless the people OF this country are
willing to trust to the gratitude and
honor Of the Cubans and withdraw
from the Island, before final under
standing OF our mutual responsibilities
and obligations shall have been
reached.
The Cuban patriots have a strong
case. When the war with Spain be-
came necessity, Congress solemnly
declared that the people OF the island
Of Cuba are and Of right ought TO be
free and Independent" and, added that
the United States hereby dlsclalms any
disposition or intention to exercise Sow
ereignty. jurisdiction or control over
said island, except for the pacihcatlon
thereof and asserts It's determination,
when It Is completed, 10 leave the gov
eminent and control Of the island to It's
own people" Both the letter and the
spirit Of that declaration indicate that
the war OF liberation was entered into
for the purpose Of making the Cubans
free, not only In the government OF
local affairs. but also in their interna-
tlonal relations. Unless this pledge Is
redeemed. It Is not impossible that CHI
ba will be the scene OF another re-
belllon, and the United States cannot
contemplate such a possibility without
alarm.
II would seem 10 be an easy matter
now that Cuhans have been paclfled
sanitary regulations enforced and the
various branches OF government put In
to successful operation. to withdraw and
leave the people to work out their own
salvation. But there Is much fear that
all that our government has done dur
ing the time OF military occupation will
be undone, and Cuba become the scene
of political and military plots, such as
are disturbing the South American
countries almost incessantly.
This fear may be founded, but that
should not be sufficient ground for any
policy which may be construed as a
desire to break sacred pledges. II the
Cubans. when they have had a fair
chance TO demonstrate their ability, or
otherwise to govern themselves, are
found to be deficient. It is still time to
come to their aid. for It Is recognized
principle In international politics that
a country which has not the power, nor
the will. to protect trade and establish
peaceful conditions within It's limits,
must submit to interference by stronger
nelghbors, who may be the sufferers
from the disturbances across the bor-
ders.
But as for the Cubans, they should
certainly be given chance to prove
whether they can govern themselves or
not That seems to be the general SEN
timent In This country. 1t Is time
enough to say that they cannot. when
that fact is proved.
Cuba has cost this country a great
deal of money, and many precious lives,
for, but for the complications in that
island. our war with Spain and the con-
sequent operations in the Philippines
would not have come. 1t is calculated
that the loss OF life has been In ALL since
May /, 1898, about 10000, while the naval
and military expenditures are estimated
at about $500 900. 900, as a direct conse-
quence OF that war. That the Cubans.
In the formation Of their government,
should in some way give recognition TO
the sacrifices their independence has
cost neighboring republic, is but a
natural demand. They should remove
as much as possible the danger OF fur
Their embroglios in their behalf, and pre-
pare the way for specially favorable
commercial relations with this country
That much can be done at the outset
what may follow later on belongs to
| the future The Cuban people will ulti-
mately. when perfectly free, be guided
by their best interests and act accord
ingly, in the matter of their relations
| to this country.