The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-11

Excerpts from an article by Senator
o. H. Platt, author of the Platt amend:
ment, in the North American Review for
August.) H.. ;',s~-
A little more than four years ago. the
United States declared war against Spain;
1t also declared the purpose Of the war
in which it was about to engage. 1t gave
notice to the world that It's object was
not conquest or acquisition, that it pro-
posed to liberate the people Of Cuba from
uncomfortable oppression and to assist them
in the establishment of an independent
republic. In all the history Of mankind
no other instance of war for such
high, noble and unselfish purpose can be
found. The national conscience asserted
itself, and the people were of one heart
and one mind. The war was over In a
hundred days, but it's consequences will
last for generations. AS nation we were
strong and resourceful; we put forth our
strength and used our resources with no
thought Of repayment; a free Cuba, a new
republic were to be our sufficient reward.
The world approved and admired our
course. The question which now confronts
us is whether we shall go forward or
turn back; whether we shall complete our
success, or permit our. effort to result
only in ignominious failure. + "s*
Nations. like men, incur honorable obli-
cations. If fulfilled to the letter, true
growth is the result; If ignored, by men
or nations, the just contempt of mankind
is incurred. Our obligation did not cease
when Spain was driven from Cuba, or
when, years Of careful and unselflsh ad-
ministration resulted in the establish
ment Of the Cuban republic. When we
undertook to put an end to bad govern
ment in Cuba, we became responsible for
the establishment, and the maintenance
as we'll, Of good government there. The
world will properly hold us bound in all
honor SO to treat the republic which we
ourselves have set up that it shall tie both
prosperous and stable. = =
In transactions between nations we
hear much in these days about spheres OF
influence" and perhaps no better inter-
probation of that phrase is to be found
than In the relations which should exist
between the United States and Cuba. We
are great and strong. We have had a
century and a quarter of republican ex-
per1ence. Cuba is small and weak, with.
out experience, a new beginner in self
government. The island lies within 8
hundred miles of our shores. 1t is bound
to us by location, by helplessness, and
until now, by the sentiment of gratitude
Thanks to the United States, it is a free
and independent government. 1t is. in nc
sense a dependency, and yet in the truest
sense it is a dependent, neighbor. Cuba
depth Of her misery, she accepted ou1
intervention. We as truly assumed heI
care when we proffered that intervention
The United States must have a policy
with regard to Cuba. The present ques.
tion is, what that policy shall be- = !
There are three policies. any Of which
may be pursued by the United States
First, we may treat Cuba with indiffer-
ence and neglect; second, as commercial
rival to be feared and curbed; third, with
a friendly consideration which shall insur,
her prosperity, stability and gratitude
Until congress met in December last, the
people Of the United States entertained
no doubt as to which of the three policies
should be pursded. WE WE'RE IN. HONOR
I BOUND NOT TO NEGLECT CUBA. w,
had never thought Of her as a commercial
rival to be feared, but rather as ccnstit
uent part OF our commercial system
Every obligation Of duty and of self-inter
| est demanded our friendly consideration
| It may well be doubted whether / pei
! cent of the people, before the assemblin,
| Of the last congress, would have tolerated
| the idea that Cuba should be treated IL
| any other way than as a neighbor and
| close friend. And yet there develope,
during the winter and early summer
sentiment, founded on misapprehensiol
and prejudice, which was strong enougl
! to defeat for the time being any remedia
or benefcent legislation in her behalf
| During all the period OF, our military oc
cupaticn, leading up to Cuban independ
ence, It was understood that the economi
| relations between Cuba and the Unite
States were as important as their politica
relations.