The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-12

The Administration continues to give out
encouraging assurances in regard to the
Cuban situation and apparently believes
that the Constitutional Convention in Ha-
vana will aceept-the American terms be-
fore long and with good grace. AS we
have before remarked. Information at the
command of the War Department may
be more comprehensive and reliable than
that which is reaching the American
press: but If so the fact is exceptional in
the history of the past four years.
What our newspapers hear from their
correspondents in Cuba is that majority
of the delegates to the Constitutional Con-
vention are bitterly opposed to the small
est shadow of suzsrainty or a protector
ate. and are being further stifened in
their inclination to resist by appeals from
the revolutionary party in all parts of the
island. The feeling against the terms is
being manifested in public meetings AID
in the columns of the Cuban radical Jour
nails
The party of independence in Cuba. as
1t calls itself, still clings to the ground
less idea that the Platt amendment was
adopted by Congress under a misappre-
hension Of the conditions existing in
Cuba. and of the sentiments of its people.
and that the mass of Americans are in
favor Of giving the Cubans the most
complete sovereignty. liberty, and license
Did these political infants but know il.
there are very few persons in this coun-
try, with any intelligent conception of the
dangers that would threaten the United
States were a sovereign State with the
peculiar and anarchistic tendencies of
Cuba permitted to exist near our shores
who do not regret that the terms agreed
upon by Congress We're not made stronger
and more specific.
As a matter of self-Drotection the
United States is estopped from granting
ali the Cubans want They must accept
American suzerainty in their foreign re
lations. and as to war-making and debt
contracting powers, because there is no
safe ground upon which we could concede
them more Whether they realize the
fact or not, it is certain that TO turn the
island over to the element which forms
the majority OF it's inhabitants, without
restrictions. would be simply to assume
responsibility for the production of anoth-
er Haiti, threatening US eternally with
the destruction Of our commercial inter
eign nations on Cuba's account.
1t is to be feared that the Cuban radi-
Gals will be encouraged in their position
Of antagonism to the United States by
moytn--nt In Great Britain looking to in
teryertiol ~ that Power to prevent the
establishment of an American protector
ate or suzerainty. The Manchester Cham
Der Of Commerce. a powerful commercial
organization, with which the family and
business associates of Colonial Secretary
Chamberlain are closely identified. has
memoriaiized the British Government On
the subject. The memorial reads as fol-
lows:
''The city Of Birmingham IS largely interested
in trade with the spanish West Indian Islands
The once considerable trade with Porto Rico has
been practically closed by the Introduction Of a
tariff ia favor Of the United States A similarly
disastrous result is threatened in regard 10
the important and extensive British trade
with Cuba, the loss Of which would assuredly
lntiict serious financial injury upon merchants,
manufacturers, and the shipping community Of
Great Britain. Without going into the question Of
American politics, your memUrialists cannot close
their eyes TO the fact that both public opinion
and the proceedings Of the Legislature in the
United States appear to favor the complete Ccn-
troll, al an early date OF the whole foreign re-
lations Of the Island Of Cuba by the United
States.
''In the opinion OF your memoralists, an
American protectorate would probably result in
the imposition Of a tariff protective OF American
interests and generally hostile to European trade
Your meHorislists therefore. pray that prompt
steps may be taken by his Maicsty's Government
70 use every means at its disposal for the pro-
lection Of British commercial interests in Cuba
with the yiew~of saving British trade with the
island from humiliation"
Considering the relations of the protest
ing body 10 the British Colonial Office
and the Board OF Trade, the suspicion is
excusable that this appeal for inter
vention against the United States in Cuba
is inspired. and may amount to a semi
official hint TO Washington that the
American Government must not think of
imposing terms upon the proposed new
State which shall not first be passed upon
and approved by the British Foreign Of
flee. Should such theory prove correct,
a stern trial Of President McKinley's sur
yising Americanism is In store for him.