Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-16
RELATIONS WITH CUBA
Probable Discussion by the
Coming Congress.
NEW BRITISH TREATY
WATCHING THE PROGRESS OF
NEGOTIATIONS.
Apparent Efforts to Force This Coun-
try to the Annexation cf
the Island.

1t is considered altogether probable that
at the coming session of Congress there
will be considerable discussion in the Sem
ate of the international affairs of the repub-
lie of Cuba. Not that anything is to be
done by the American Congress, barring
possibly an expression of the sense OF
Congress" for moral effect, as to Cuba s
diplomatic and economic relations with the
outside world
Speaking by the card, 1t may be said that
there will be no hesitancy in debating
Cuban affairs that touch upon the interests
of the United States. In point of fact, Con-
gress will insist upon the legal right be-
cause of our stake In the game that is being
played in the island republic. The moral
right, 1t is claimed, might be conceded, in
asmuch as the American Congress is the
father of the Cuban republic, and the Platt
amendment Is the godfather.
Sentiment in the Senate.
A United States senator who has followed
with deep interest the successive stages Of
Cuba's emersence from tyranny into inde-
pendence, through the agency of the United
States said to Star man:
The United States can only watch with
deep concern the progress of the pending
ain OF a treaty that transgresses in the
spirit, II not in the letter. the Platt amend
ment, through whose instrumentalfty Cuba
alone was enabled to gain the full meas
uTe OF ner independence. If 1 understand
arlght the provisions of that treaty I feel
sure that members of the Senate who were
concerned in shaping the legislation which
benefited Cuba will feel disappointment
over over the fact that Cuba sees fit to nego-
t1ate foreign treaty which she must know
is objectionable to this government
Cuban internal politics is Responsible for
TINS situation The faction in Cuba which
is intensely jealous of the spirit of Ameri-
can supervision implied by the Platt srnand
ment would like to faunt defianoe T., tha
race OF the United States The faction
Wnlch. for one reason or another patrint;c
OF commercial, would like to bring about a
condition of affairs which might reorIra tba
annexation of Cuba by the Tinted Statas is
anetting all opportunities that promise fric.
ton. Thus 1t is that two Interests !, tha
island entirely diverse appear to be worl,ing
for this treaty. s
Little Desire for Annexation.
nave not the remotest idea that the
people at large in this county desire tho
annexation of Cuba. do not believe that
~ per cent OF the votes of Congress could
oe OBTAINED for resolution of annexation
OF 'hat more than 10 per cent Of the mem
bersh1p of the Senate, If that much could
pe secured for ratification of a treaty Of
annexation So It is utterly fruitless for
me Cupans or any faction of them to hara Sc
tne United States with the idea OF bringing
ABOUT Intervention and subsequent annexe
alton. iS@>
II is not competent for this government
TO take any action in the matter of the
treaty with Great Britain which Cuba Is
negotiating, beyond exerting moral suasion
ana making diplomatic representations
Pernaps 1t might not be amiss to pass res
olution declaring it to be the sense of Con-
gress, in view of what has gone before. that
this government looks with disfavor upon
certain conditions. l do not even know that
this VIII be done, but 1 am very sure that
Cuba's international affairs will be dis
cussed very freely at the coming session"
1t Is admitted in well-informed official
circles that our relations with Cuba are
very delicate. Without the assumption of
definite suzerainty over the island, It is
said, 1t would not be practicable to make an
effective protest against the treaty 1t is
claimed that the treaty negotiated by Cuba
with Italy in 1904 practically embodied sim
liar provisions with the pending English
treaty. The United States raised no OBJ
jections to the Italian treaty. The Senate
1t Is said, will have some very fine questions
of international law and equity to handle
when 1t takes up me discussion of these
Cuban affairs.