The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-11-12

Cuban Government and attached to it
constitution. with the other articles o
the Plat Amendment. Additional sol
emnity was given to these articles by
treaty entered into between Cuba AM
the United States in 1903, two years
after the independent government o.
Cuba had been established. Article
VII. likewise provided that, Ito enable
the United States to maintain the Ia
dependence of Cuba coaling or nava
stations should be leased by Cuba tC
the United States; and in 1903 leases
were made and signed by the Presi-
dents of the two countries, in which
the stipulation Ito maintain the indie
pendence of Cuba" was recited and ap-
proved.
1t is thus seen that the United States
has in the most impressive and binding
manner five times announced its ceter-
mination and it's duty to maintain the
independence of Cuba: First, in the
declaration of war against Spain; sec
ond, in the enactment by Congress of
the Plat Amendment; third, in requir-
ing the Cuban convention to make it a
part of its constitution; fourth, in tax
ing lease Of the naval stations; and
fifth, in its formal treaty. 1t is graf
flying to know that the executive de-
partment of our Government fully real
ICES determination and duty. Language
could not be more explicit and decisive
in this spirit than that used by Presi-
dent Roosevelt in his letter to Minis
ter Quesada. The judicious conduct of
Secretary Taft in seeking to avoid in
tervention made it clear that he was
animated by this spirit. The proclama-
tions of Secretary Taft and Provisional
Governor Magoon, issued under the
Presidents direction, show that the
only purpose of the intervention forced
upon them is ito maintain the indie
pendence Of Cuba
But there is danger, unless checked,
that a hastily formed and unwise pop
ular sentiment may take possession Of
our country. and greatly embarrass the
administration in its effort to keep
faith with the people of Cuba and show
to the world that we are animated by
a policy of sincerity and disinterested-
ness. We read of statesmen high in
public favor who announce that the
American army now in Cuba will never
leave ii, and that the island is bound
to be annexed to the United States.
and the sooner the better. The same
view is taken by many journals of in
fluence. American planters, CONNER
cial men and promoters in Cuba seem
anxious to have the United States as
sumo outright and permanently the
burdens of Cuban government The
advocates of manifest destiny" believe
the time fs ripe to take one step
further in southern expansion. These
and other influences will oppose the
withdrawal of our present control; and
if another opportunity is given the Gu
bans to conduct an independent gov
eminent and they again fall into dis
order. the demand from these influ-
ences for permanent annexation may
become almost irresistible.
VIII such a demand be reasonable?
VIII il be consistent with our plighted
faith and our publicly proclaimed pur-
pose? Secretary Taft reached the heart
OF this question in his admirable ad-
dress in the University at Havana. He
made It clear that the Cubans should
not be tested by the same standard Of
self-government as the people of the
United States: that we had centuries
Of experience behind US and the Gu
bans were now for the first time being
afforded an opportunity to govern
themselves. and that if they stumbled
and fell they must be helped up again
and put on the road to self-g0vern-
ment.
1t is opportune to recall the expert
ence of the Latin American republics.
Take the most successful of them Ar
gentinas history for fly yee~= fte''
independence was a series Of revolu-
lions. violent changes Of rulers and
defalcation in public obligations. Chile
had much the same history, and only