The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-22
THE CUBAN CONSTITUTION.


The Republic OF Cuba having been
launched, outsiders will watch with inter-
est the attempt of the people at self-gov-
eminent. To Americans especially il is a
matter not only OF deep interest, but of
real concern, as it involves the question
OF what kind of neighbors we are to have.
In this connection it is interesting 10 note
how closely, in a general way, the Consti-
tuition follows that Of the United States
which, by the way, has become the recog-
nized model for liberal Constitutions
throughout the world The Cuban Consti-
tuition provides for universal manhood suf-
frage, thus at once placing the black and
the white races on an equality. and that
without any property or educational quail
fication. This removes any possibility of
trouble on that score and ought to put all
classes on their honor to give the new
government loyal support. The Presidents
term Of office is four years. like that of the
United States, and there is no provision in
regard 10 his reelection. Possibly ii might
have been wiser to have followed the Con-
federate Constitution in this respect, max
ing the term six years and the President
ineligible for reelection. The idea seems
to have been to follow the Constitution of
the United States. as closely as possible.
This is further shown by the fact that.
instead of providing for the election of
President by direct vote of the people, the
Constitution provides for an electoral col
4h1ro d.
stitution that has become practically OBJ
soiete or superhuous it is that regarding
the Electoral College, and If the American
people were amending their Constitution
now they would probably drop It, How
ever. it can do TO possible harm in the
Cuban Constitution. Instead of States,
Cuba has departments. of which there are
six. and in each one local Governors are
elected by the people. The Congress con-
sists of Senate, six members from each
of the six departments. TO be elected for
six years by an electoral college. and a
House of Representatives, one for each
$4,000 inhabitants. elected for four years.
The House of Representatives will be a
more popular representative body than
ours. as the basis of representation in ours
at present is one member for each 1884, IS2
inhabitants. II the population of Cuba
her House Of Representatives would con-
tain nearly four times as many members.
With her present population 1t will con-
tain sixty-three members. AS nearly one
third of the entire population of Cuba are
negroes and mulattoes, it is probable there
will always be some of these in the Con-
gress. but, as there is no color line in
Cuba, this will not figure. The justices of
the Supreme Court, like ours. are appointed
by the President. with the approval of the
Senate, and the term of office is for life.
The feature of the Constitution of most
interest 10 Americans and most likely to
involve important consequences for the
United States is that known as the Plat
amendment. This provides that the Cuban
government shall never enter into any
treaty with any foreign power impairing
the independence of Cuba or surrendering
any OF its territory; that il shall not con-
tract any debt beyond the ordinary reye-
terest and principal; that the United States
may exercise the right to intervene at it's
option for the preservation of Cuban in
dependence, the maintenance of a govern
ment adequate for the protection of life
property and individual liberty, and for
discharging the obligations with respect
to Cuba imposed by the treaty of Paris on
the United States now to be assumed and
undertaken by the government of Cuba"
and that the United States shall have
lands on the island for coaling or naval
stations. AS these provisions give the
tons and of the finances OF Cuba and the
power to intervene by force IL necessary
TO preserve peace and protect property
they come very near establishing a virtual
protectorate over the island They were
only adopted after much opposition, and
then only by-a vote of Is TO II in the con-
stitutional convention. While the present
attitude of Cubans of all classes seems TO
be one of entire satisfaction and deep
gratitude TO the United States for what
this government has done. IL this feeling
should wear off, the provisions of the Plat
amendment may furnish a pretext for
making trouble. 1t is possible, also, that
a situation may arise in which some for
eign power will insist that as the United
States has established a virtual protec-
torate over the island il must assume cor
responding obligations. These are remote
contingencies. but they are possible. One
thing is certain: II the time ever comes
that the Cubans cannot govern the island
the United States will, under the Platt
amendment. be justified in the eyes of the
tain order.