Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-26
Meaning of, Plat Amendment.


But all the while those who were studying
the question knew that this would be in
vain. I am proud to say that six years
ago, one year after entered the Senate, 1
denounced in opening the campaign in Chi
cago the folly of the Teller resolution, and
declared that to leave Cuba absolutely was
as unrighteous as it was impossible and I'M
wise. l got scolded for that speech by some
politicians; but, nevertheless, at the next
session of Congress We passed the Platt
amendment in order to cure. as far as We
honorably could, the unwisdom that we had
thoughtlessly committed in the Teller reso-
luton. The Platt amendment bound Cuba
and the United States together forever.
We have been in the habit of loosely
speaking of Cuba as independents and
yet the Platt amendment which is part
of the Cuban constitution as well as
law upon our own statute books, estab
lished over Cuba by the American govern
ment the most complete written suzerainty
in the world. By the Platt amendment,
which is part of the Cuban constitution.
we are given practical control over Cuban
finances, foreign affairs, the sanitation of
her cities; and we are given coaling sta
lions and naval rendezvous in her harbors.
But, above all other things, are given
the power and charged with the duty Of
establishing American authority in that
island whenever, in our Judgment life and
property are imperiled in Cuba and the Gu
ban government is no longer efficient. And
authority, the manner of it's establishment
and the length of it's continuance are mat
tiers absolutely in the exclusive judgment
of the American government, and not in
the least in the judgment Of the Cuban
government.
Our Pledge to Cuba.
So that when the Plat amendment was
adopted our pledge to Cuba became two
fold.
First, to recognize the independence of
Cuban territory If consistent with the lib
erty of the Cuban people, but
Second, to maintain the liberty of the
Cuban people whether the independence Of
Cuban territory can also be maintained or
not.
AS Lincoln said, II will save the nation
without slavery II I can, with slavery IL I
must, but I will save the nation" SO the
Platt amendment, which is our highest law
as well as Cuba's highest law, says, I'VE
will preserve the liberty of the Cuban peo-
pie with the independence of Cuban terri
tory If we can, without the independence of
Cuban territory If we must, but we will
maintain the liberty of the Cuban people"
Two years after the adoption of the
Plat amendment we finished our tenn
was. No such administrative achievement is
reported in history.
We found it the richest of lands with
the poorest of revenues; we left 1t with an
excellent financial system and replenished
treasury.
We found its cities brooding places of
disease from which yellow fever time and
again spread its wings and scattered death
among the people of our southern states
we left its cities cleaner than our own
American cities themselves.
We found Cuba without schools; we left
1t with one of the best school systems In
the world, conducted by American teachers
We found it with Cuban children growing
up in ignorance and semi-savagery; we left
--,lkl oI1;1
school attendance.
We found it chaos of brigandage; we
left 1t free of robber bands, it's highways
as safe as the highways of Indiana.
Work Under the Flag.
This was the work accomplished under
the American flag This was the condition
when the stars and stripes were. hauled
down and American authority taken away
from Cuba. Who will say that all that