The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-01-31

The question as 10 whether the Unitei
States shall. permit Cuba TO be a free, in
dependent, and sovereign country. or in
sist upon the exercise OF a protectorate
has been discussed by members Of both
houses of Congress. Opinion Is widely
divided as to what ought 10 be done. Some
members think that under The resolution
passed in 1888 the United States pledged
itself TO give Cuba full sovereignty. and
1t cannot now exercise a protectOrate IN
less the Cubans invite the United States
to exercise such authority. Senator's and
Representatives alike however, agree
that the Cubans in preparing constitu-
tion which in every detail ignores the
existence of the United States have
shown themselves unmindful of their OBJ
legations TO this country.
The constitution will be here about
February Is Congress does not want to
act on it at this session. Predictions of
trouble with the Cubans before their con
stitution is approved by this country and
their stable government set up are free
~ made but the embarrassment of the
Administration in view OF the resolution
Of 1885 is evident on all sides. In this
resolution the United States disciaims
any disposition to exercise sovereignty
over the island At the present moment,
1t IS said, this is the stone wall against
which this Government Will run
The Government wants coaling stations
and military reservations in Cuba. 1t
wants the supervision of its debt-incur-
ring power and the right 10 participate in
the foreign affairs of the island At
the last Cabinet meeting there was
4s-Tl ~F ,1rf,1,
ought 10 be done But everybody
agreed that if mistakes OF being
too complainant were made at the
outset the United States would II. The fu-
ture be IL constant danger of being drag
ged into war with foreign powers through
Cuba
One Of the leading Republicans of the
Committee on Relations with Cuba who
is probably more familiar with the sub
Iect than any other member of the Sen
ate said that he questioned the wisdom of
the President in proposing TO transmit 10
Congress The new Cuban constitution as
soon as received
In the first place. said he, it is a
practical impOssibiIity for Congress at
this time 10 go into a discussion of the
Cuban question. Besides the Cuban con-
sti.ution, as il is drawn, according to the
extracts from il which have been print
appreciation toward the United States
Government f1r the sacrifices it has made
in behalf OF the Cubans.
There is not one word in that consti-
tuition" remarked the Senator N question
with considerable feeling, Ito indicate
that the United States has befriended
those people at q great sacrifice Of life
and treasure II the President consUIts
the best interests OF this country, and is
guided by the prevailing sentiment in
Congress he viii decline TO receive their
constitution until IL contains certain pro-
visions which viii specifically recognize
the part this Government mas played in
securing independence for them
Members of the Committee on Foreign
Relations are positive in the opinion that
Congress has no jurisdiction over Cuba in
the face Of the joint resolution recogniz-
ing the Independence Of Cuba approved
April %. 1898 In the fact OF this reso-
luton there is a general disposition to
question the adyisability and even the
right Of the President TO refer the Cuban
constitution TO Congress. What the Pres
ident is being advised 10 do is to lock up
the copy OF the Cuban constitution when
Il reaches here and intimate 10 the Gu
bans that they cannot have an independ-
ent government until they manifest
disposition - protect the interests Of he
United States in their constitution