Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1906-10-05
Editorial Opinion
Roosevelt's commendable Action.
New York Herald.

Roosevelt's commendable Action.
New York Herald.
The conservative policy adopted by
President Roosevelt in Cuban crisis
cannot be too highly commended.
A few hotheads who clamOreG for
immediate annexation Of the island are
disappointed, but their complaints are
scarcely heard amid the almost unani-
nous chorus of approval.
Mr.. Roosevelt is to be congratulated
upon the statesmanlike view he has
taken OF the situation and his deter
mination to permit the Cuban people to
manage their internal affairs and to
make an untrammelled and deliberate
demonstration in the face of the world
as to whether or not they are capable
Of self-government. His sagacious ac-
ton in this matter is a powerful argu-
ment in favor of his denomination for
the Presidency.
This action is perfectly consistent
with the pledges the United States
made before entering upon the war
with Spain and with the obligations
assumed after the war in turning the
government of the island over to its
people In view of the incredulity ex-
pressed by South American diplomat
lists as to the sincerely Of our inten-
tons to permit Cuba to remain indie
pendent It was to bee expected that our
present military Intervention should
now elicit from that quarter certain
number of "I-told-you-so's.'
! It may be well to remind our South
American friends Of the obvious fact
that the United States has solemn obli-
cations with respect to Cuba, and
therefore no differences as to our atti-
tude toward the southern republics can
be drawn from our relations with the
island. At the outset our Congress
made this formal promise:
That the United States hereby dis
claims any disposition or intent to ex-
] ercise sovereignty. jurisdiction or con-
troll over said island. except for the
pacifcation thereof and asserts its de-
| termination, when that is accomplish
ed, to leave the government and con-
troll of the island to its people.
Americans who impetuously favored
immediate annexation should note that
promise. That President Roosevelt has
It in mind is shown in his determine
ton to refrain from interfering at this
time in the internal affairs of tbs
island and to assist the Cuban people
I'm making a new effort to govern
themselves our South American
friends on the other hand, who are
disposed to take a cynical view of thu
present intervention should note the
obligation undertaken by the American
people when the infant republic wal
established.
THAT the government of Cuba con
sents that the United states may in
tervene for the preservation Of Cuban
independence, the maintenance of
government adequate for the protection
OF life and property and individual lib
erty and for discharging the obliga
tions with respect to Cuba imposed b!
the treaty Of Paris, now TO be assumed
and undertaken by the government o
Cuba"
Between the declaration Of our in
tention to set the Cubans free ant
leave them Independent, on the on
hand, and our obligation TO- see tina
order. peace and security to life ant
property were maintained, the cours
adopted by President Roosevelt is con
sistent, conservative and sagacious.
1t frees the peaceful and industriou
Cuban population from the paralyzini
effects of continued guerilla warfare
fomentod, possibly, by selfish interest
on our own soil-protects the vas
sums invested in Cuba by American
and Europeans and at the same tim
proves to the world the disinterested
ness of our motives by inviting IN
Cuban people 10 try again and per
init US to withdraw.