Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-03


There appears in print today the follow
ing from Havana:
The Cuban constitutional convention is
considering Two Iromulgations of the future
relations between Cuba and the United
States. one Of these afiirms, In the first
place an acceptance of the Monroe doctrine
and the establishment of friendly relations
with all nations. together with a reSoiu-
ton to proceed in al cases in complete ac-
cord with the United States.
I'm the second piace. il proposes to put al
the disposal IF the United States a portion
of the shore IF any bay on the north coast,
and of TWO bays on the south coast for
naval stations. together with concessions
sufficient in extent for the purposes or de-
fence and sanitation.
I'm the third place, ii declares that Cuba
will place herself on war footing to help
the United States in case such assistance
should be needed: while a fourth proViSo
is an amplification of the first. second and
third.
The acceptance of the Monroe doctrine
by the Cuban government is matter of
absolute necessity. In fact, the spirit Of
that doctrine applied TO Cuba while she was
yet a Spanish possession. Spain well I'M
derstood that the transfer Of the island to
any other European power would not be
permitted 10y the United States. We de-
sired the island ourselves, but Spain would
not sell. Her control Of it gave us no
alarm, because she was decaying power
and below our class in point of strength.
But had she proposed at any time 10 sell
10 England. Germany, France or Russia, We
should have forbidden the transaction. And
for the reason that we did not desire any
strong and growing European power to in
crease its strength on this side of the
water.
Now of course, Cuba as an independent
government must conform TO the spirit Of
her environment. Her interests are the in
terests of the controlling influence in this
hemisphere. In proportion TO her size and
possessions she will have as much to fear
from the spread of European systems and
purposes over here as has the United States.
She must take her place beside the power
which by reason of its size and resources
has made itself, and is recognized as, the
champion of free institutions in the west
ern hemisphere, and as a measure of de-
fence proclaimed the Monroe doctrine.
There is no choice in the premises What
is necessary for the life and advancement
OF the greatest of the western nations will
be as necessary for the life and advance
ment of the least and the youngest of
them.
1t may be said that a government so Or
Sdiiizeu VIII HOT DE an liiuepehueit govern
ment, but only sort of dependency of the
United States. The reply to that Is that
the United States was and the Monroe doc
trine was before tree Cuba was thought of.
In fact, free Cuba is the child of the United
States But for our interference she would
today still be helpless under the Spanish
harrow. Clearly therefore what We would
not tolerate in Spain while Cuba was her
colony We could not afford to tolerate In
Cuba as an independent power by our aid
In word. Cuba's interests are so closely
interviewer with those of the United States
i will be remarkable if her people at nc
distant day do not express desire for an
nexation In preference to d separate po-
ltical existence.