The times., 1901-04-25
Circulation Statement.
our Relations with Cubn.

Our Relations With Cubn.
In principle. the American people
thoroughly endorse Mr.. Mckinney s
course with regard to Cuba, from the
declaration Of war with Spain to the
present time. There may have been er-
rors of administration justifying cTiu-
cisn. but, in the aggregate, the policy
of the President has the hearty ap-
proval OF the nation. He was right in
insisting that the ultimate disposition
of the island which we hold by right Of
conquest, but voluntarily and gener-
ously as a trustee for its people, should
not be left to the executive branch Of
the Government, but that its future, as
FAR as this country has right in NOR
ais and necessity to dictate that future,
should be settled by legislative enact
ment
IN accepting and ratifying the Platt
terms enacted by Congress, MIR. McKin-
ley displayed at once his kindly feeling
toward Cuba. and his willingness 10
bow 10 the views of the National Legis-
Iatrre in a case where action fell quite
short of what might reasonably be con-
sidered the necessities of the situation
The Platt terms, while well enough in
their way. do not specifically define and
determine the suzerain powers of this
Government in such way as TO leave
no room for future differences Of
opinion. and hence. contention. Should
tie subject ever again get before the
Iaw-making body. there is no room for
doubt that the mistake alluded to would
he corrected. The American people do
and the Cubans should understand that
the relations between the two countries
cannot be dominated by such hysterical
sentimentaiism as marked the Teller
resolutions Of April, 1898, but by con-
sideralions of American safety.
It would be extremely imprudent for
the United States to erect a fully SOY
ereign State nearly within sight of its
shores. liable as Cuba would be under
present conditions to fall into a state Of
anarchy which would excuse if not jus
tify foreign interference which we
should be compelled to resist. The peo-
pie Of cuba ought to remember that in
expelling Spain from their territory we
took the ground that misrule, inhuman-
ity. and anarchy made Intervention the
duty of a neighboring first class power.
Were they to set up government
which soon should fall to the level of
that Of Haiti, as il certainly would if
the Cuban masses were allowed unre
stricted control, it would be practically
impossible for US TO deny the right to
other States which We without hesita-
ton undertook TO exercise against
Spain. In the end, no matter what sort
OF a governmental organization cuba
might set up the United States would
be compelled TO guarantee its integrity,
and to protect it against foreign ag-
gression, or else face the possibility Of
British. German, or some other Euro
pean occupation.
II is 10 be regretted that our Cuban
friends are political children, and seem
unable to realize that ia protecting our
selves we are really protecting them.
The American people are as earnestly
DESTROYS Of benefting Cuba as they
We're when they drove a reluctant Ad-
ministration into war for the liberation
OF the island from the Spanish yoke
Were il possible from prudential
viewpoint to accord them complete SOW
ereignty, there is not an intelligent citi-
zen OF the Union who would not be de-
lighted 10 see that done. But it is not
possible. The interests and the safety
OF TIE dominant power Of the hem
isphere are involved in keeping a firm
hold upon Cuba in several important re
spects These may be summed up in
the statement that the United States is
TO itself in duty bound TO control the
treaty and war making and debt-con-
tracing powers Of the State which,
through its philanthropy and its saosi- |
fee OF Jio5d and treasure, l.. we hope,
soon 10 be brought into being.
We hope that before the committee Of |
the Cuban Constitutional Convention |
now visiting this country finish their |
investigation Of conditions and senu- |
ment affecting their political hopes, |
they may come to appreciate the truth |
% the situation, and go home ready to |
influence their associates in favor Of the |
Platt terms, which are ultra-liberal, |
and which are certain to be changed in |
q way unsatisfactory 10 Cuba, should /
the question of future relations be left |
open for the further consideration Of /
Congress.