New-York tribune., 1901-02-02
CONGRESS AND CUBA.
Continued from first page.

repudiated that stupendous debt. and the hold
ers OF these securities must look 10 Spain for
their money. There is nothing in plain honesty
or in international law making this debt binding
upon the Cuban people or Government"
After a pause Senator Teller continued,
thoughtfully: While discussing this sub
ject guess would well state plainly and
emphatically that for my own part 1 am un-
alterably opposed 10 any scheme, direct or
mote, that has for its object the annexation Of
Cuba TO the United States. Even IL the Cubans
themselves should petition for annexation
would oppose il. When the island has become
fully Americanized. which. OF course. is a slow
process. I would not object to taking it into the
American Union. But its population at present,
neither by inheritance nor education, is fit TO be
embodied in our body polite. However. my
views on the general subject OF the annexation
OF alien races to the United States are so we'll
known that I need not dilate upon them in this
particular case
Mr.. FORAKER AGREES WITH MR. PLATT.
Senator Foraker. OF Ohio. who. though not
member Of the Committee on Relations with
Cuba. nevertheless has devoted much thought
10 the question. and who was quite as conspicu-
ously identified with framing the resolutions
composing the declarations OF war as was Sena-
tor Teller. and agrees in the main with the
suggestions that have grown out OF The Trib-
une's interview with Senator Platt
''Cne Of the main purposes OF the fourth reso-
luton" said Senator Foraker. was 10 prevent
this Nation from being held responsible in any
way for the stupendous debt piled upon Cuba
by Spain. / am satisfied that any fair court
arbitration that could be formed would COM
pletely absove the United States from any and
all responsibility for this debt, but IL the fourth
resolution had not been adopted the might
have been different. On the general proposition
OF the power OF Congress 10 deal directly with
the Cuban constitution ! am in thorough accord
with Senator Platt OF Connecticut AS to what
accomplish in the matter OF determining
our relations with the Island government re-
solves itself into question OF method. We
ought certainly 10 have a naval base in Cuba
for our own protection as well as that OF Cuba
and after all have done for them / do not
believe the cubans will deny US this. AS 10
military garrisons on the island. l had not
see no necessity for them. On the other propo-
sitions-thcse Of controlling Cuba's public debts
and foreign -reaties-the questions involved are
OF too far reaching importance to be hastily
discussed or decided"
AN EXTREME OPPOSITION VIEW.
Senator Money. OF Mississippi. probably ex-
pressed the extreme view OF the opposition 10
the supposed policy OF the Government. 1T is
folly to talk about rights or privileges in
Cuba" said Mr.. Money. Indeed. when We con-
slider the solemn pledge OF high purpose that in
spired US in war with Spain II is crime
against common honesty and conscience for us 10
talk about the right or power to interfere in
any way with the Cuban constitution gov
ernment. What the Cubans should do WI en-
they get their government organized is to m
form the President of the United States that lis
military forces are on their territory, and must
be withdrawn without any parleying II he
does not withdraw them. then the Cubans would
be justified in running them into the sea To
save much trouble and frightful humiliation
before the world because OF solemn promises
deliberately broken, Congress should direct the
President TO withdraw his military forces from
Cuba. But I have no idea that Congress ever
viii do this for the simple reason that Congress
has abdicated all its powers, rights and priv
ileges TO the President"
In view of the statements Of both Senator'S
Foraker and Teller that the fourth clause of the
war resolution absolves this country from all
obligation for the discharge Of the debt saddled
on Cuba by Spain. IL is interesting TO note that
since agitation Of the Cuban question has be-
come acute, Washington is full OF rumors TO the
effect that France and other European Powers
recently have informed the State Department
that this Government is being held responsible
by them for the debt indicated.