The Irish standard., 1901-03-30
CONGRESSMAN FLETCHER ON CUBA.

CONGRESSMAN FLETCHER ON CUBA.
Among the nstute politicians of the
imperial type who recently visited
Cuba was Congressman Fletcher of
this district He spoke with army Of
ficcrs and Amcricanos who have an
eye to business in the island, and they
easily convinced him that the Cubans
ITO not know the elementary principles
OF government aud are totally in
capable of managing their own affairs.
"The Cubans are not fit for self govern
nent,' says the sagacious statesman
from the fifth district OF Minnesota,
land | think the best way out of the
difficulty is for the United States to
retain full control of the island and
let the Cubans handle its domestic af-
fairs under our general supervision.
| The business men of the island and
the quiet people Of the homes are not
dissatisfied with what the Americans
are doing, and are depending upon the
people of this country to take care of
the present and the future and are not
alarmed because they feel that this
sentiment is strong enough to overcome
the radicals, who are selfish and are
not considering the prosperity of the
island"
The sum and substance of what
Loren Fletcher wants to be done for
Cuba is to govern the island from
Washington like Porto Rico and the
Philippines. and make the inhabitants
pay dearly for protecting them against
themselves. "Only one ultimate con-
dition is possible, in my opinion" says
Congressman Fletcher, land when |
say that it would be better for us to
take charge Mt once | mean that it
would dispose of all doubt and unccr-
tainty and result in the spccdier COM
mrrcial development and rchabilita.
ton Of the island"
or course. that is not the exact lam
guage used by the little wire-puller
who represents the fifth district in con-
gress. He is utterly incapable Of CIV
ing uttcrancc to his shallow thoughts
in such good English. Ills views of
Cuba have been written for him by his
secretary, and he is only repeating
what he heard others say. During his
whole life he has never yet begot an
original idea on anything, but he ad-
heres to his party's policy of spoliation
with unfaltering fidelity. At the time
of the Porto Rican tariff discussion,
however, he broke away from the party
lash Mt the behest Of his constituents.
| but that is the only instance OH record
when he voted right He was Informed
II he voted otherwise he need not seek
reelection, and that Is what caused
him to vote against the plutocracy. He
! Is with them again and will remain
with them whether right or wrong. He
is safe in doing so, for the organs of
imperialism in his district endorse his
course. The Minneapolis Tribune ex
tolls Fletcher and magnifies him into
a great statesman for belittling the
Cubans and wishing to break the sol
emn pledge made by congress in refer
cnce to the Independence of their lane
from foreign sway.
1t would have been prudent for Lo
rem Fletcher to. have read Frank d
Pavey's article on 'The Independence
of Cuba" in the March number of the
North American Review before he got
his "views" promulgated in the daily
press. After reading that article ht
would have learned more Of the Cubans
than by visiting them in their island
home. On page 40 Mr.. Pavey says
1T is claimed that the Cubans are
not capable of maintaining a stable
government which will protect life and
property. No fact in the history Of the
Cuban people is cited in support of this
proposition. The example OF Hayti and
San Domingo are held before the eyes
of the American people. and it Is as