The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-06-18
DOES 1T MEAN ANNExAT1oNr

a washington correspondent writes
that there is division in the cabinet over
the details of the permanent military
and naval status of the republic of Cuba.
Secretary Root is reported to be in favor
OF the United States assuming all mill
tary and naval functions of the republic.
He believes that a Cuban army would
be nuisance that it would be used to
further and foment instructions, while
affording no protection to the constitu-
tional rights of the people. He believes
that the Cubans should understand from
the start that they cannot have that
degree of independence under the Platt
amendment which goes with absolute
sovereignty.
The other wing Of the cabinet, COM
posed or those who are not so strenuous
as Root. are afraid of the political eff
feet of this measure. They fear that 1t
would wound the pride of the Cubans
beyond the surgeons skill; that it might
result in open rebellion against United
'~N0S H'iASl1 IiiCy' 4Hey also rear the
public opinion of the United States,
should the administration assume to set
the Teller resolution at naught in such
summary manner.
That such an act would be regarded,
both in this country and abroad, as a
gross breach of faith with Cuba and the
world no one can for moment doubt.
Whether Cuba would be justified in call
ing upon the world to intervene, should
this country refuse to allow her to main
tain an army and a navy is matter
which We do not care to discuss. That
such an act would raise storm of pro-
test from all quarters we do not doubt,
but would it not be the best thing for
Cuba? Would it not lead to early an
neXation? What Cuba has to fear is not
annexation, but control without annex
alton. WHAT good would standing
army do Cuba? What use would She
have for a navy? Defend herself? No.
when it comes to war, she must depend
upon her Uncle Samuel to do the fight
ing.
Why not, then, take the bull by the
horns and say to Cuba, 1--WE will do
the fighting, and to save you the trouble
we VIII keep a force in the island suf-
fcient to quen all riots and when you
are menaced by any foreign power. we
will not be far away" This seems SEN
sible, does it not? If it does, then why
not say to Cuba, "Fix up a constitution
that is acceptable to us as state, and
we will admit you into the Union. We
viii then see that you have peace at
home and market for everything you
can raise" The scheme of Secretary
Root viii have many sympathizers. If
he be right in principle, why not carry
it out to it's legitimate conclusion and
let the Cubans know that annexation is
inevitable? If the Teller amendment is
to be sacredly carried out, the Plat
amendment must be ignored If the Platt
amendment is in line with the Teller res
olution, so is the reported scheme of the
secretary Of war. If Cuba can have
neither army or navy, where are her at
,.-a1iitcS &C sovereignty?
There is no use trying to do Indirectly
what we dare not do directly. It will fool
no one. We might as we'll eat the devil
as drink his broth. We might as well
come out fat-footed and inform the
Cubans that We desire a proper constitu-
ton, and that congress VIII mass an act
admitting them into the Union as a state.
1t viii be better for them and better for
us.