The times., 1901-05-31
Cuba as a Republic.

Cuba as a Republic.
eel Mundo," a Havana press expo
nent of radical opinion. yesterday said
that by accepting the Platt terms
by the Constitutional Convention, Gu
ba becomes a mere. geographical express
sion on the map Of the free peoples Of
America"
"El Mundo" is wrong. Cuba does not
become mere geographical expression,
but starts in the path of national devel-
opment under free Institutions in the
only way possible to her, that is, under
the suzerainty. protection. and kindly
care Of the United States. What. let US
ask. was the position of the island on
any map in the days Of the Spanish op-
preston? Did Cuba possess autonomy,
or ability to develop the resources of
the country for the sole benefit of its
native population? Then it was but
''geograp phical expression" on the map
of the Spanish Empire Is not full local
independence and statehood under the
aegis of the great Republic, which will
forever shield it from anarchy within
and foreign aggression from without,
great Improvement upon its former con-
dition?
What kind Of expression" would Cuba
have upon the map of the free peoples
of America" were the United States to
leave the Cubans 10 their own Devices
and permit their ignorant element to
impose upon the island the conditions
which obtain in Haiti? Time viii show
that this country is more benevolent TO
these political infants than they would
be to themselves could their radical
partylargely negro-have it's own
way, and shortly co;nplicate Cuba and
the United States in matters Of foreign
debt and outrages upon foreign resi-
dents and perhaps representatives. The
island people are insignificant in num-
bers compared with the great modern
peoples, and their resources of all sorts
are limited. In any case we should
have TO protect them against unjust
claims or invasion. With absolute in
dependence accorded to Cuba, this
country would be in the position of
guarantor with full responsibility and
no control, because the freedom of
Cuba from foreign influence or interfer-
ence would be as necessary to US with
out suzerainty as with it. The very
safety of the Republic in any event
would compel US TO guarantee the au-
tonomous integrity of the island 1t is,
therefore, only the part of prudence in
our Government to secure in advance
such rights of supervision, veto, and in
reference and Intervention as will en-
able US to prevent trouble by controll-
ing the foreign affairs and the war
making and debt-making powers Of the
new State.
No doubt, at the present moment the
of these demands is un-
pleasant to the Cubans. They know
nothing about self-government Each
faction has dreamed of liberty under
the dictatorship of its own chief, with
a liberal arrangement regarding loot TO
be divided among his followers. Each
leader has had visions Of irresponsible
power as a benevolent despot, with an
evening Of life in Paris solaced by mil |
lions accumulated in the public service. !
The Latin American ideal is yet too |
much that of Lopez, Guzman Blanco. |
and other South American rulers who |
have made patriotism pay them as /
Standard Oil has paid John d Rocke-
felieT. They need 10 be saved from /
themselves. (
Acceptance Of the Platt terms has ac-
ccmplished this. 1t is true that Cuba |
viii not fully become member of the /
family of nations; that it will appear at |
the Courts Of the world as a quasi-de-
pendency of the United States; but that
win do it no harm and a great deal of |
good. When. largely through the |
American State Department, it shall |
enter into treaty engagements with Eu-
ropean countries, the latter will dis
tinctly understand that the Washington
wise means such compliance with stip-
uIagions as would be exacted were the
United States a principal party to the /
contract; and under this arrangement
Cuba viii be safe to go on and develop
her industries and commerce, free of |
the care and expense Of providing for
their protection by local military
means.
In the same line II is positive bless
Ing to the Cuban people that they are
forbidden TO pay the Spanish Cuban
war debt, which amounts on paper to
more than five hundred million dollars.
Left to themselves it is highly probable
that the European holders of these
blood stained bonds through their
State authorities at some time would
bribe or coerce the Cuban Government
TO recognize this debt and Cuba would
be saddled forever with a burden underl
which prosperity and progress would
become impossible. Under the Platt
terms, the Spanish Cuban debt Will be
as is right and proper, and
any effort to collect ii, in whole or in
part win be resisted by the whole
armed force Of the United States.
1t is equally desirable, in the interests
Of Cuban local independence and i'm
munity from outside aggression, that
we should maintain naval stations on
the island. and have the right Of in
reference in the event Of revolution or
anarchic conditions. Nobody likes to
be under the control Of a guardian or
tutor when he feels himself competent
10 think and act for himself. But this
too often comes at an
early age, when it would be folly to ac-
,ord full emancipation to the individual
most concerned. When he grows older,
usually he realizes the traps and pit