The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-30
Intervention.

Intervention
When the United States, in January,
1890, assumed control Of the affairs OF the
island of Cuba it was bound by a specific
pledge, made by Congress, as follows:
-Tha. the United states hereby discIsims any
disposition or intent 10 exercise sovereignty, juris-
dlcuon or control over said Island. except for thu
pacinca ton thereof. and asserts I've determination,
when that is accomplished, to leave tho govern
ment and control OF the island to Its people"
When, in conformity with the above
pledge, the Government was transferred
to the people of Cuba, May 20, 1902, the
following right was reserved by Article
III, Of the Platt amendment:
THAT the Government OF Cuba consents that tho
United States may exercise the night TO intervene
for the preservation OF Cuban independence, the
main tenance OF a government adequate for the
protection OF life. property and individual liberty
and for dischATglng the obligations with respect
TO Cuba imposed by the Treaty of Paris on the
United states. now to be assumed and undertakes
by the Government OF Cuba"
For the reason that the island has
fallen into a state clearly within h
above provisions it has become the duty
Of this country to play once more the
part Of the friend and protector OF Cuba.
The established Government has con-
fessed its inability to maintain peace and
order and afford due protection to life
and property. President PALMA's APP
peals to Washington for American aid
have been insistept. A state OF anarchy
existed and the conditions grew worse
and more hopeless day by day. The Pres
ident replied to PALMA's appeals and the
complaints and protests Of property own
ers by sending Secretary TAFT and Assist
ant Secretary BACON as investigators, adj
visers and pacificators. Their work has
beer done with signal ability and fidelity.
No opportunity has been neglected, no
stone has been left unturned in their ef-
forts to reconcile the contending factions
and effect an amicable adjustment. The
responsibility and blame for their inability
10 reach the end for which they have
striven so patiently and earnestly rest
with the Cubans themselves. The Gu
bans fate was in their own hands, and
their conduct has made impossible any
other course than that which has been
adopted. In the interest Of the island
itself, in the interest Of all other nations
and in our own interest Intervention has
become imperative. The Cuban leaders
failed to agree and refused to COM
promise. The representatives Of both
sides revealed themselves as selfish,
scheming politicians; and practically
---AAn. IL al Nka nrvocffxoffOna mazda
by Mr.. TAFT and Mr.. BACON does there
appear on the Cuban side a single ray Of
large minded, patriotic craftsmanship. 1t
has all been a pitifuldisplay of self-seeking
and political i~ncompetency, from various
motives and for various reasons
The step taken by the American
peace commissioners was the only course
possible. Regret as we may, there is
no reasonable ground for a shadow
Of blame or rebuke for their decision.
Further delay was impossible. A dark
cloud OF ruin o~verhung the great pro-
ductive industries, on which the very
life Of the island and the people de-
ponds. Nearly twenty thousand men
in arms were living by the seizure Of
cattle, hogs and poultry belonging to
the large planters and the small farmers.
Thousands Of working oxen had been
slaughtered already. Thousands Of peas
ants, who by patient toll had restored
their little farms, wrecked by the last
revolution, were once again destitute.
With a complete realization Of the seri-
business of the step and a clear apprecia-
ton of the disastrous results Of further
delay Mr.. TAFT and Mr.. BACON, with the
full approval Of President ROOSEVELT,
pronounced the verdict. There is every
reason to believe that 90 per cent. Of the
people Of Cuba heartily indorse and
approve such intervention az is proposed.
It does not mean the end Of Cuba, but
rather a new lease Of life. The present
Intervention is subject TO no pledge like
the Teller amendment. Instead of be-
ing bound by a pledge to get out as soon
AZ possible by the facts Of the situation
we are bound to stay as long as the
Cubans make it necessary for us to
stay. Our guardianship, whether brief
or prolonged, none may question. Our
is tho establishment of law and
order and the restoration Of confidence.
That the Intervention may be brief all
will hope; that 1t will be effective all may
believe.