The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-02
The Cuban Treaties .

The Cuban Treaties.
Four treaties are in process between
the United States and the Government of
Cuba. They are:
1. The official ratification Of the Platt
Amendment, in accordance with Article
VIII. OF that instrument.
2. The naval stations treaty, under
another article of the Platt Amendment.
8. The determination of the ownership
of the Isle of Pines, also an offshoot OF
the Platt Amendment.
4. The reciprocity treaty.
To no one of these do the Cubans seem
to be in any haste to set the official hand
and seal, and. so far as the mass Of the
Cuban people and the great majority Of
the American people are concerned, no
reason whatever is apparent for any i'm
mediate or even early determination. As
matters stand, it really makes little diff
ference to anybody whether the treaties
are signed or whether the present situa-
ton continues.
The Platt Amendment was framed in
the fear lest the Cuban people should at
some time in the indefinite future do
something which was 30 manifestly
against their own interest that American
intervention for their protection would
become desirable, IL MOI necessary.
Therefore the United States insisted that
Cuba grant us the right to intervene in
her affairs il and whenever we thought fit
and proper, in the interests OF the island.
We were afraid that the new Govern
ment might try to borrow some money
abroad and SO make itself liable to just
such an occurrence as that which recently
resulted in the complications in Venez-
uela. Various other possibilities also
caused us uneasiness. and we made
Cuban acceptance of certain specified
conditions the price Of general, though
really limited, independence. The Cuban
Constitutional Convention, acting for and
on account Of the new Government, ac-
cepted the terms, and so morally bound
that Government to an Endorsement Of
its act.
That the step was taken unwillingly
and under protest is now matter fully
susceptible Of proof by reference to the
records of personal statements made by
those who at last voted consent rather
than approval after many weeks Of de-
clared opposition and resistance. But
acceptance of the terms by an authorized
Cuban Convention gave them the status
OF an international contract, in which the
United States has only fulfilled its part Of
the obligation by transfer of official con-
troll Although 1t may be done reluc-
family, the Cubans will and must fulfil
their part by the execution OF the per-
manent treaty provided for by the in
strument itself. Some Of those who
voted against the amendment in the
convention and others who yielded re-
luctantly to the pressure brought to bear
upon them. are now members OF the
Cuban Senate, and it is not to be ex-
pected that they should heartily and
promptly accept that which was so re-
Gently quite unacceptable to them.
To the establishment of American
naval stations on the Cuban coast there
has never been any genuine objection,
although there has been a strong gen.
eral opposition. This seemingly CONTRA
GSctory statement is harmonized by an
application Of the fact that Cuban oppo-
stion rested in objection to the manner
In which the condition was submitted
rather than in the matter OF the proposal.
Had the United States asked for naval
bases for the protection OF her own Corn
meroe and for the better guarding OF her
own coast, no word of Cuban protest
would have been heard The incorpora,
ton into an instrument which was
broadly Objectionable OF demand for
naval bases for the protection OF Cuba
against foreign aggression led to pro-
test which expressed the sentiments of
an enormous majority of the Cuban
people. This has now generally sub
sided and the decision to locate the sta
tons at points which are somewhat out
Of the way, and where the American flag
will not be perpetually In their eyes as
reminder that the United States has
not entirely relinquished its trusteeship,
leaves the naval stations treaty matter
for the official settlement OF details. Had
the United States insisted upon stations
at Havana, Matanzas, Nipe Bay, San
tiago, or Cienfuegos, there would have
been created a source OF continual irri-
tation.
The Isle of Pines treaty will in all