Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-06-01

COuSeutlOn mas aCCeptCu, aIteT n1Outus
] OF fruitlcss and unbccomipg hesitation,
| the Plat amendment defining the re-
| lations between the United States and
| Cuba. IL will not be long before the
island becomes its own sovereign. an
independent republic. no longer crushed
under the foot Of Spanish tyranny, no
longer under the beneiicent tutciegc
and direct protection Of its great
friend to the north. There only re-
| mains the passage of an election bill.
| the election Of officers by the people.
and their induction into office. When
this is accomplished. as it ought to be
| within few months, the American
troops will be withdrawn. and the ad-
| ministration Of General Wood. so re
markably successful and beneficial to
the island, will be at an end. Then
will fair Cuba be given its long
dreamed of privilege of standing alone
and it's opportunity of showing how
well it deserves the freedom which we
have won for it.
All this is on the suppOsition that
the Platt amendment is not materially
altered by the explanations attached
to it by the convention. and that 1t
will receive the approval of the Pres
ident. The third section of the Plat
amendment provides that Cuba con-
sents that the United States may in
tervenc to preserve Cuban independ-
cncc. to maintain a government that
will protect life. property and liberty
and discharge the obligations the
United States assumed under the Paris
treaty. The convention has qualified
this provision. and consents to our in
PREVENTION to prevent the action of
foreign power over Cuba and TO pre-
vent anarchy. This is coupled with the
provisos that such intervention shall be
the formal act of the United States
government and not the act of one
member of the government; that inter-
vention "supposes neither protector
ate nor suzerainty." and shall not con-
tinue after the establishment of the
public order. Another important feat
ure of the Platt amendment that has
been accepted with a modification is
that relating to the cession of coaling
and naval stations. The object of such
cession, as set forth in the Plat amend
ment. is to enable the United States
to maintain the independence of Cuba.
to protect the people thereof and OF
defend the United States. The section
has been amended to prohibit the
United States from using the stations
Cuba, and to restrict their use to the
protection of adjacent American ana
Cuban waters from foreign attacks
directed against either Cuba or the
United States. The government OF
Cuba is authorized to enter into
commercial treaty with the United
States and to determine by treaty
the title to the Isle of Pines. The
relations modified as above in
pursuance Of the explanations made by
Secretary Root by authority of the
President. The other features of the
amendment, as to the sanitation OF
cities, the limit of the Cuban national
debt, the valuation Of the United
States military occupancy. etc, are
accepted by the committee without
modification.
1t is generally felt that the modifica-
ton of the sections mentioned above is
not substantial enough to warrant the
prolongation of our military occupation
and the reconsideration of the whole
matter by Congress. The amendment
makes it plain that this country is to
stand as the protector of Cuba against
foreign aggression and internal disorder,
and that is the chief point. whatever the
diplomatic terms in which it is eX-
pressed II will be the duty Of the
United States to see that Cuba gets
right and fair start in running its
own affairs. but there will be no inter
ference with the people in their choice
Of officers 1t is sincerely to be hoped
that capable, honest and lcvel-headed
men will be selected. Much will de-
pend upon the beginning. If Cuba
starts wrong it will simply hasten the
day when the American flag goes back
to the island to remain there. Many
men of sound judgment hold that in
any case that day will not be far dis
tant. If the flag goes back it will be at
the call or in answer to the imperative
needs of the Cuban people themselves.
Behind the clouds is the sun still