The age-herald., 1901-04-15
United States Will Never Change
 Amendment
CuBANs ARE VERY uNGRATEFuL
The Policy of Dissolvlng the Present Constitutional Convention Has Already Received Serious Con.
 sideration in Washington
BY ALBERT HALsTEAp.

BY ALBERT HALSTEAD.
 Washington. April Special .)-The suspicious attitude of the Cubans toward the United States is not pleasing to the President and his advisors, who are rather discouraged to have the selected representatives of a people, for whose res cue from Spanish tyrany our government went to war. The evidences of hostility toward the United States are becoming irritating and there is suspicion that if the Cubans secured their independence, without any limitations imposed by the United States, they would really rejoice in embarrassing our government by their attitude on foreign affairs It was this appreciation of the incompetency and in- gratitude that necessitated the imposition of the conditions imposed in the Platt amendmen.
 It was positively necessary that the United States should be protected from the danger of foreign complications, that our coast cities should not be threatened with epidemic through improper sanita- lion in Cuban cities, and that there should be some protection not only for foreign Investors, but also for the taxpayers of Cuba. The conditions imposed by the Uni- ted States were unselfishly drafted, and were really in full accordance with the spirit of the Teller resolution. It Is some what amusing to note that the Cubans seem to think that the Teller resolution was promise to them whereas, in fact, 1t was nothing but a Justification to the world at large of our intervention and 'n- tention to show our actual unselfishness In that matter. If the Cubans remain stubborn and unwilling to accept our con- ditions and military government con- tinues for a considerable time, and it ap- pears that the only course open to the United States Is annexation of Cuba, that course will be pursued, because 1t Is the best procedure and not in any sense from desire for aggrandizment-in fact many conservative and far-seeing men are doubtful whether the annexation of Cuba would be an unmixed blessing.
 A Significant Feature.
 A significant feature of the present sit nation is the fact that many property owners in Cuba have written to our gov srnment, and informed it through other channels that it will be unwise to permit he present constitutional convention. which is not representative, to determine ,pon the relations between Cuba and the United States. This convention, selected by the voters, Is not satisfactory in any Iense to the educated and better inform ,d people of Cuba. At the election at which delegates to the convention were elected only a small proportion of those who were eligible to vote did so. It is we'll argued that if the present conven- non were dissolved and a new one called t would be composed of men of higher character and more representative of the leai Cuban sentiment. The policy of dis Iolving the convention has already been rven serious consideration. Senator Platt of Connecticut is one of those who believes 1t would be wise to do so. if with h a reasonable period, the American conditions are not accepted. The Presi- lent Is understood to have such a pro- seeding in mind, but he is patient and wen hopeful. despite the discouraging
 
 The Coming Commission.
 Everyone here appreciates that the com- mission, that is proposer to come to con- bult with the president. can accomplish aothing. The President will receive It's members with characteristic courtesy, but he will frankly inform them that there k no hope of having our conditions amended, that he is not favored to any shange that, in his judgment. the temper If Congress is also unfavorable. The fact s that the commission. should 1t delay ,oming until Congress reassembles, will Ind that body more disposed to impose nore stringent conditions. instead of making the present ones more satisfactory o the Cubans. There will. then. be prop lsitions to settle the matter quickly and without hesitation in way that will be mrprising to the Cuban kickers. It is i'm probable that Congress will. then, pro- nde for the annexation of Cuba, but the ,rocrastination, hostility and suspicious if the cubans as represented in the con- titutional convention and by the speeches # heir leaders, are regarded as evil fences of Cuban incompetency. and the ,pinion is growing that there is only one plution of the difficulty, one that must ,orne sooner or later, and that is annex .tion. This view being held by some men political prominence. 1t would not be airprising If 1t will be openly advocated. Rould the cubans fail to accept our con | ,aions, as stated in the Piatt amendment kfore Congress assemblies in December.