The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-08-05

~ dix to the constitution of Cuba
under which American SUPER
vision Is assured in the interest of sta
blity, good order and faithful per-
formance of treaty obligations. dis
cusses with much earnestness in the
August number of the North American
Review the nature and strength of
"Cuba's Claim Upon the United
States.'
In the very act of delivering Cuba
from the oppressive rule Of Spain,
Senator Platt insists, we became re-
sponsibe for the establishment and
the maintenance as well, of good gov
ernment there. Since the termination
of the war, there has never been any
question that the economic relations be-
tween Cuba and the United States are
as important as their political relations;
and when the United States required of
Cuba that her constitution should con-
tain guarantees which should foverer
connect her intimately with us, it was
universally understood that the United
States would in return provide such re-
ciprocal commercial advantages as
would enable Cuba to be self-relant
and self-supporting. The failure of
congress to make this understanding
good has left the United States in a
deplorable position before the world.
Senator Plat argues that there is no
foundation for the fear that conces-
sions to Cuban sugar would interfere
with the protection of our own sugar
producers, since no such effect follows
the introduction into the American
market of Hawaiian and Porto RiCan
sugar. But the United States has never
been breaker, and we shall not
assume that role at this late date. Says
Senator Platt:
Friends of Cuba in the United
States have appealed from the mistaken
sentiment of a few of it's legislators to
the American people. That the appeal
will not be in vain there are many
hopeful signs. There is such a thing as
public conscience in this country, and
when once aroused it is all-powerful.
The Republican conventions of those
states from which objections to this
legislation were most strongly urged,
have shown, by resolutions adopted by
them, that even in those states the
heart of the people is right. Wherever
our true-hearted and courageous presi-
dent speaks for justice to Cuba and the
performance of national obligations,
the people respond as to no other sem
timent which he utters. 1t will only
need reassembling of congress to de-
monstrate that our policy with regard
to Cuba Is not to be finally obstructed
by groundless fear or senseless preju-
dice; that our plighted faith is to be
observed; that the United States is still
to be the generous friend, the strong
protector and unselfish guardian of the
Cuban people; that the republic Of
Cuba is to be permanently maintained;
that the pledge of the United States Is
not to be violated, either in letter or In
spirit; that no movement for the an
neXation of Cuba is to be started or
supported here; but that, as time goes
on, Cuba, free and independent, guided
and aided by us in the realization of
her dream of liberty, will continue and
remain an object lesson to all nations
of the high purpose and noble action of
the United States"
Contrast with this enlightened and
generous view of the relations which
should prevail between this country
and its foster-child the following pic
ture of the condition Of affairs develop
| ing i'm the island since the failure of
our congress to keep faith with the
Cuban people plunged them into des-
pondency, suspicion and want. 1t is
drawn by Major George M. Barbour.
for four years and until recently sani-
tary commissioner of Santiago:
1.-THE country is really in bad way.
The times are hard, terribly hard. and
l see no reason to think they will i'm
prove. The cities of Santiago and
Havana, which our people made clean
| and wholesome, are again falling back
into the old unsanitary conditions that
prevailed under Spanish rule. The peo-
Pile are once more throwing slops into
| the streets and ere long the foul smells
that We're banished by the Americans
will pollute the atmosphere of the
towns. 1t Is pitiable to think that the
splendid educational system that We
| lnaugurated for them will not be kept
up, but that cause fear Is doomed
along with other public necessities.
With threatened deficit of several
millions, there will be no way of main
tainingf the schools, and the old era Of
| ignorance will return"
Annexation. of course. will come. It
Is inevitable eyer.ually. But how much
] better shou' 1t come through spon-