The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-26
PALMA'S TROUBLES.

On Monday the Cuban electoral college,
in accordance with the terms OF the new
constitution. met in Havana and cast Its
ballots for the candidates at the general
elections who by the returns were elected.
Estrada Palma and Esterez, chosen re-
spectively president and vice president Of
the Cuban republic, will next have to be
proclaimed such by the Cuban congress
after the electoral votes have been count
ed and approved by it. When congress
will meet and organize is not designated
as yet, but it will not be long delayed and,
after it proclaims the result of the cleo
lions and the government OF the island,
federal and provincial is organized, the
United States military governor will fix
a day for handing the control of the island
to the Cuban government 1t has been
reported that Palma has threatened to re-
sign his office il our congress refuses to
make tariff concessions to Cuba, but it is
doubtful If he will take that step. It is
said that the vice president contemplates
will be rather unfortunate condition
Of affairs, for the Cuban constitution con-
tains no direct provision for the presi-
Dental succession in case both president
and vice president resign, but only pro-
vides that congress may make special
law of succession. This action by the
congress may result in bringing about a
dissension which will be difficult to ap-
pease and it will be some time probably
before congress can reach a conclusion as
to the special law. In case Of the resig-
nations referred to-, the United States
military governor will remain in charge
until successors to Palma and Esterez are
seated. Palma would be wise not to re-
sign.
After the military governor hands the
island over to the Cuban government,
Cuba will not be entirely evacuated by
our troops, for, under the Plat amend
ment, there will have to be garrisons for
the coaling and naval stations on the
lands to be bought or leased by our gov
eminent according to the stipulation. The
stations are to be occupied by marines
and this feature, which has been an
tagonized holly by the anti administra-
ton journals in this country, is a neces-
sity to fulfill our pledge to maintain the
independence of Cuba and to protect the
people and our own interests in this i'm
portant island, which, in the hands Of a
hostile power, would prove a serious men
ace to our peace. There are still news
papers which insist that our government
intends to maintain large force in
Cuba, but the official reports show that
since July 6, 1900, about 1890 men and
officers have been sent back to the United
States from the island and sixteen mill
tary posts have been abandoned, while
at present, there remain about 800 off,
GERS and men. There is no question and
there can be no question that, when the
government of Cuba is handed over to the
Cuban authorities and the insular condi-
lions are entirely peaceful following the
establishment Of the Cuban government,
the United States forces will withdraw,
with the exception of the small garri-
sons needed to guard the coaling and
| naval stations The bawling prophets
who have predicted that the administra-
ton would execute military coup in
Cuba and forcibly annex the island, have
rather limited following, for as is usual
with such folk, they underestimate the
Intelligence Of the American people, who
know that no administration would
had All excellent opportunity to perpetrate
a temporary usurpation Of power. Our
government will have fulfilled its pledges
! to the letter with regard to Cuba, when
congress loosens the letters which OBJ
struct commercial intercourse between
the island to feel the quickening stir OF
prosperity from Cape Mast to Cape San
! Antonio.