The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-01-30

The Cuban Question.

The Cuban Question
Il is gratifying to learn that the Cab
met yesterday began serious consid=ra-
ton of the important and grave question
of our future relations with Cuba. Upon
the general public it has hardly yet be
gun TO dawn that a problem is here in
volved which is likely TO tax this coun-
trv's ST.. esraauship to the utmost be
fore II can be solved to the mutual ad-
vantage and satisfaction CT the TWO coun-
tries. We are ted that President Ne
Kinley views the subject as one regarding
which there should be no delay. He ez-
poets to receive a copy Of he Cuban Con
stitution in the form finally adopted b.
the Constitutional Convention. before The
Fourth of March. but too late for COR
sideration BY the Fifty-siXth Congress.
Were there No other occasion for an ex-
traordinary session, II is understood that
one would lee called TO act upon the or
ganic law proposed for themselves by
the Cubans. and to join with the eXecu-
tive branch Of the Government in de-
yising legislation and conducting neso-
tiations calculated to safeguard the IN
terests Of the United States in connec-
ton with the new autonomous Latin
American state.
From all thar appears. Mr.. Mckinley and
his advisers take exactly the view fire.
quently advanced in these columns as to
the right and duty Of the United States to
proYids against dangers which fully SOW
eTeign country conditioned as Cuba IS and
almost within sight Of our shores. might
create for the American Union. Left en-
ti-ely to themselves with complete indie
pendence. and under a system OF universal
suffrage. there is not a statesman. diplo-
matist. OF student of international affairs
who viii not say that in less than six
months after our evacuation of the ISL
and. il would be IN state OF Haitien an
erchy. Such thing is not to be thought
Of We are glad 70 know that the possible
menace Of such an eventuality appeals
strongly to the President. and his political
associates who are in control OF legisIa-
ton
Mr. Mckinley and the Senate Committee
on Foreign Relations. are reported as
holding with this journal, that American
occupation Of Cuba cannot be terminated
until the Cubans have not only adopted a
constitution satisfactory 20 themselves, but
also provided q stable government" That
IS an elastic phrase, and in its application
10 the present case must be taken 70 mean
form Of government based on a funda-
mental Law which, while assuring to Cuba
the largest measure Of internal independ-
ence and local autonomy. shall also Sc
cure the United States against acts which
or commerce.
The logic Of the situation and indeed
stern necessity demand that several i'm
portant elements of full sovereignty be
reIinquished by the Cubans in their State
organization
The United States could not afford to
have the island embroiled in war with
foreign nations, for obvious reasons.
Hence. the war-making power must not
be exercised or assumed By the new re-
public 1t would be equally inappro-
pirate for this country to allow Cuba
unrestricted liberty in the matter Of
treaties. which might be entered into
greatly tc our distress and damage. So
the treaty-making power must be omit
ted, or placed under strong supervisory
and revisory authority il Washington.
A proteetorate. or a suze!a inty, in some
practical form is a condition precedent
10 home rule in Cuba. and. as we have
urged hitherto. the question is imminent
and must be net.
we are not sure but that there is one
feature Of the Administration programme
which ~e should disapproye. There is
again some indication that an attempt
may be made TO fasten the debt in
CURED BY SPAN in fighting the Cuban
revolution upon the fsIaud. The Spanish
Cuban bond syndicate. which has close
personal relations with influential Re
publican leaders, is evidently hard at
work, and. it is TO be feared, has the
backing OF the Administration. Bur we
may defer discussion Of that matter for
the present The main point Is that the
first session OF the Fifty-seventh Congress
VIII have a hard job on its hands II this
connection, and one that may not be com
Dleted without the necessity for military
a. wvH as legislative action