Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-11
CONTROL OF CUBA
Growing Conviction Of Duty Of This
Government.
MEANING OF TELLER RESOLUTION
Wrong Interpretation Put Upon 1t
by Cubans.
WHEN CONGRESS NJ
NJ EETS

Some of those who hare been most sin
cere in advocating Cuban independence
are gradually becoming convinced that,
sooner or later, the United States will
have to take complete permanent control
of the Island of Cuba. Men who would
lot at this time give public expression to
the sentiment are talking privately in a
despairing tone of the prospects of the
Cubans qualifying themselves for govern
ment.
1t is admitted that Il lies with the Cubans
themselves to determine their own fate.
but the manner in which they are dealing
with the question Is regarded indicative
of incompetency. and the disposition to sac
rifice the interests and policies of this gov
eminent to the sentiment of magnanimty
toward the inhabitants of that island APP
pears to be growing less pronounced among
men of all parties in this country.
Growing Conviction.
The attitude Of suspicion and hostility
toward the United States assumed by Gu
bans is exciting irritation. but above and
beyond this mere irritation appears a
growing conviction that II permitted to do
so. the Cubans will make their independ-
ence constant source Of annoyance and
danger to the United States. Men who
have most earnestly advocated Cuban in
dependence realize that. with q disposition
toward evil, the Cuban republic could seri-
ously complicate our relations with foreign
governments and threaten the integrity of
the Monroe doctrine.
The necessity of guarding against this
danger was recognized in the adoption of
the Platt amendment to the army bill. over
which the Cuban convention Is now con-
tending. and many men in Congress who
were not willing to support that amend
ont doc nod tn nj ,QplV voc
attitude of denying the Importance of
guarding ourselves against International
conn lica lions while being generous to the
little republic.
An Tnwarranted Interpretations.
It is being earnestly suggested by men
outside of administration circles that the
Interpretation by the Cubans put upon the
action of Congress In adopting the original
Teller resolution Is unwarranted. showing
a miscouception Of the attitude of the
United States and disregard of all respon-
sibiIity
The Teller resolution has been so often
spoken Of as a promise made to Cuba that
people not we'll Informed have come to
look upon it as such, though history does
not bear out this impression. Attention is
called TO the fact that the Teller resolu
ton was not framed and adopted In COM
pliance with any demand from Cuba or in
behalf of the CubanS. 1t was mere decla-
ration of policy or purpose designed to pro-
tect us from the imputation by Spain and
the rest of the wOr1d-not Cuba-of motives
of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. rather than the lofty
motives of humanity which inspired the
hostility toward Spain.
The United States was not then asking
permission of the Cuban Insurgents to in
terfere in their behalf. and the Cubans
were not imposing conditions under which
they would accept our services.
For Our Own Qualification.
The Teller resolution did not relate to
any thing which the Cubans might desire
or fear. and was not for their protection,
but for our own justification before the
world to proclaim that our motives were
not sinister and selfish.
The CubanS did not and could not exact
such a declaration for their own protec-
ton, and If the declaration could be regard
ed promise 1t was not promise to the
Cuban insurgents, but to Spain and the rest
of the world. As matter of fact. 1t was
simply the declaration of a fact known to
everybody In this country and believed by
most of the foreign governments that the
inspiration of the war was not desire on
the part of the United States to acquire
the island Of Cuba other territory.
1t put In the form of a specific re-
quirement that the American troops should
be withdrawn when the island was pacified
merely to make it more definite and en-
phatic that We had no designs upon the
territory, and not for the purpose of meet
Cuban insurgents.
The United States government promised
itself that it would get out of Cuba as soon
as possible, and 1t Is suggested that while
the government Is trying to do this In
way not to make sacrifice of interests not
pertaining directly to Cuba. but to the pol
Icy of the United States and its own reia-
lions with foreign powers, the Cubans are
throwing obstacles in the way and con-
pelling the retention of American troops
upon the island far beyond the time within
which this government has desired to with
draw.
When Congress Meets.
The opinion Is expressed that If the pres
ent condition Is protracted to the time
when the next Congress meets congress
sional action will be taken which will re-
suit in speedy settlement of the question
without as much regard for the wishes of
the Cubans as has been shown up to this
tire.
The sentiment Is strongly developing
among men with whom Star reporter has
talked that it is high time that an orderly
permanent form OF government were start
ed in Cuba. and that the temporary au-
thority of the United States should speed
lily be terminated. or that If the Cubans
will not make It possible for our troops to
be withdrawn, our administration of the
affairs of the island should not be longer
temporary and equiyOcal.
WENT TO SEE THE JUMPERS