Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-05-30

tAic 6hhiNhNooth6 VI h'A' iH~fSPSHtS.No :
OF Cuba, and does not mean interference
with its government, or the exercise Of
a Trotuctorate or Of sovereignty, and |
also that intervention will only take
place when independence is endangered
by outside Powers or grave interior dis
turbances, creating anarchy and, mas
much as Secretary Root has said that
tine naval stations will not be USED for
vantage points OF inter, ention, but only
TO protect Cuba against foreign Pow ers,
we report as follows.
The above is an extract from the
majority report OF the committee on
relations with the United States to the
Cuban Constitutional Convention. 1t
afforded an opportunity to the New
York Times, which, as most of us know,
is an imperialistic sheet, tn reopen the
old question about the capacity Of the
governors. " This Is an old theme with
expansionists. when they come in con-
tact with conscientious people who are
SO unwise as to telieve in the consent
Of the governed and who are not blessed
with q comprehensive intelligence,
nor penetrative understanding, but it
is Pretty well worn out. We, however,
credit our New York contemporary with
the wisdom OF not going too deeply
into the subject. 1t has found out by
new that it is dangerous topic, and
when discussed too freely, apt to prompt
meddlesome people to draw invIdious
comparisons. 1t discreetly switches off
after few pointed remarks and
gratuitous sneer at the capacity of
the future governors of Cuba and
devotes over a column OF space to a
laborsd defense of the Hon. ElIhu Root.
1t seems that this gentleman talked
rather freely to the Cuban Commits
sioners when they we're in Washington,
promising them various things which
he will never be athletic deliver, and
the frank manner in which the Cubans
took him at his word has caused dis
turbapce in the mental equipoise Of the
administration circle. We may say,
parenthetically, this affords us some
amusement. VS. have heretofore rallied
at the Spaniard for his duplicity 10
diplomatic Intercourse. We have told
him that he ought to be honest and
straightforward and not resort to the
arts of deceit and double dealing. He
accepted our advice. Poor fellow, he
actually believed we praotioed what we
preached So he came to Washington
to see US and talk matters over with
the Hon. Elihu. But the latter is nc
longer representative of the ole
America; he is the diplomatico- ilitary
expert OF the new America. This littl,
fact the Spaniard overlooked. II,
swallowed without question what thl
willy Elihu told him about Mckinley
lied interpretation--for Cuban con
sumption--of the Plat amendment, an,
hied him back tn Cuba to tell th
Constitutional Convention what grea
and good man was the wonderful Will
liam.
Now, enter, the New York Times:
1t is impossible that Secretary Roo
should have told the Cuban committe
that the naval stations of the Unite,
States In Cuba would never be USE
.'as vantage points Of intervention" 70
the law expressly declares that that j
one of the purposes Of their acquisition
This is the reading Of section z:
'That to enable the United States {
maintain the Independence of Cub
and to protect the people thereof a
we'll es fer its own defence the govern
ment of Cuba will sell or lease to th
United States lands necessary for Goa
ing or naval stations at certain speo
fed points to he agreed upon with th
President OF the United States -
Well, we do not see why. The &C
ministration interpreted the Tellt
resolution to suit its own ideas, VII
should 1T not do likewise with the Pla
amendment9 This is rather late da
for Impefialists to baggle over the lett
of the law, especially when the law
their Own. We are surprised the Tim
failed to discern the diplomatic astut
ness in the Hon. Secretary's father
explanation. But that, perhaps, vi
owing TO our contemporary irritat,
state Of mind III it had not been
worried lately ty the anti can teen fol
1t might have viewed the matter diffe
entity.
1t goes on to say, concerning coalil
stations:
The people Of the United States
not need to be told that the Seoreta
OF War never gave any assurance
this nature to the visiting Cubans. N
did be give them any explanation
Interpretation Of the law save to poi
out its plain meaning
Now it go happens that he did. He
lie what the Secretary of War actual
told the Cubans. '.These coaling 81
lions never will become a point Of I
parture for intervening with the 90
ernmeut Of Cubai they will be US
solely for defence against forei
Powers y
Now, of course, Mr.. Root had
authority whatever, except PRESIDENT
to make that statement to the Cub
Commissioners. It can be nothi
more than his opinion and Is not wol
the paper ~ is printed upon, IL
eliminate lite diplomatic feattre. No
can know this better than the Tin
and we fail to understand why it /
got itself into such stow over 10
less 1t has conjured up fear 10
mind that the Hon. Elihu's gsiety n
postpone annexation. That would aft,
laughter for the gods, indeed.
- @t
Increase of Wage Rate.