Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1901-04-06
VIEWS ON CUBA 5 FUTURE.
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee Expresses Him
self at a Banquet rendered Him
by the Omaha Club.
PATRIOTISM IS THE NEED or THE HOUR.
Mora Than Ever Must 1t BE Exercised by
the American People In Solving tho
Problems Brought Forward 80 the ne
suit OF Our War with spsin-Futare OF
CnhA.

the American People In Solving tho
Problems Brought Forward as the Re-
sui, q, Our War with Spain Future of
Cuba.
Omaha, Neb., April l.-Gen. Fitz-
hugh Lee, for the first time since his
retirement from the army, has gwen
expression to his views with regard
to the future Of Cuba. The occasion
was the banquet given in his honor
AT the Omaha club. After referring |
to his services as consul general ana
in the army in that island, he said:
More than ever must there be an
exercise of patriotism in its highest
sense by the citizens Of the Unltea |
States. The ship of state has extend
ed its sailing chart to parts OF the
world undreamed Of until recently as
being in its course. The Philippines
are ours by treaty, and their future
so far as the United States IS con-
cerned, should be duly determined by
congress after and not before armed
resistance to the authority Of the
United States has ceased. The splen-
did exploit of Funston throws bril-.
liant light upon the coming pain OF
peace.
Porto Rico is ours by conquest,
while Cuba has its status fixed by the
Teller resolution in the act declaring
war against Spain. Under that reso'
Iution the United States dsclaims any
intention Of exercising sovereignty
jurisdiction or control over the island
Of Cuba, except for the paciiicaton
thereof. and when that it accom-
Dlished the government Of the island
should be turned over to its own peo'
pIe. That solemn declaration is bind
ing on our government, and, IN my
, opinion. will be and should be rigidly
adhered to.
"The expenditure Of treasure and
; blood. the dead American soldiers and
sailors, the geographical location OF
the island, the large interests held by
7 Americans, Spanish, English, Ger
+. man, French and indeed the Cuban'
= themselves, demand that the islanC
should not only be pacitied, but b.
4 permanently pacifed. The pledge o
n the United States does not deman'
:. that American control or supervision
be absolutely withdrawn if the Unitet
q. States, from evidence before the prop
r. er department, believes that Cuban
h will fight among themselves betor
- or shortly after the American soldier
now in Cuba stack their muskets o
re- American soil.
"a '"The war was wagcd to make Spai
IA withdraw its land and naval force
Il. from Cuba and relinquish its author
-. accompnsntti me IN ru Jpuvt7s - ~
II, concerned in upholding its solem
a. pledge of pacifcation in the interes
of all.
Cuba will agree in time to the COZ
ditions imposed by the Platt amen
ment in the interests OF its own ma
OF pendepce and in order that the I'm
ed States can faithfully maintain u
nledged pacifcation cf the island.
"Tbirty-one members were electe
TO or rather selected, from the VINO
or. island to constitute constitution
,at convention. When its work is col
zen pleted the organization of Cover
in nent should follow, and when that
accomplished the jurisdiction ana &C
~ troll Of the island undoubtedly Shot
,us he turned over to the Cubans.
var The foreign and other proper
holders want protection and pea
18th The majority of Cubans constltuu
ino tbe agriculturists, are apparently
rem. norant that convention is IN sess
IA and il is most difficult TO make tn
IAN. vote on any question. Many P
isl, tions of China did not know
nee was in progress with Japan; So m'
Cubans pay no attention to the
St of words of the convention. Inc
the Cuban soldiers are active and more
,wn. less excited. When the time comes
zoo fill the government offices they
he heard from often and early.
"Cuba's future will be determl
hv Cuba's craftsmanship. Should
collective Cuban wisdom be suttic
hing to keep the craft aAoat on the
ters of prosperity and establish
ble government stroug enough to
tect life and property and give
ecial fdence to capital, there will be no
,tota nosition on the part Of the Tn
States TO interfere; but if the gov
his ment problem can not be solved
the a fair trial by the Cubans, the III
uble, destiny of the Smile of the Sea
oil, he forever confided to the care OF
avoid great American republic