Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-06-23
Spain's Cuban Attachment.

Inc republic OIL CuDa mas us TROUBLES
Internal dissensions and apparent lack
of business Judgment on the part OF
those in charge of her affairs have
placed her in precarious position
financially and at this critical point
Spain seeks to add to the burden by
setting up the claim that Cuba should
pay the European power to which she
owes her present poverty and lack OF
development, her share of the Spanish
debt at the date of the ratification OF
the treaty of Paris, the treaty which
assured Cuba her independence. Cuba
never brought debt to Spain. For
many years she was Spain's best asset
and ceased to be such only when Spain
sought to and by force did collect both
principal and interest, and then de-
manded more.
Whitelaw Reid played an important
part in the negotiations which resulted
in Cuba's independence and is best fit
ted, of Anne ricans at all familiar with
the subject, to pass upon the merits of
Spains claim against Cuba. Mr. Reid
however, is at the present time the
American ambassador to London and
as such cannot discuss at this time a
topic which will ultimately become one
of diplomatic controversy. 1t is inter
esting, however. to note that in Lady
Randolph Churchill's Anglo Saxon Re-
view, published several years since, Mr..
Reid gives expression to certain prin-
ciples applicable in this case. He then
called attention to the Importance of
the American refusal to assume re-
sponsbility for Cuba on this question.
The principle was asserted at that time
that debt incurred in an effort to sub
due a colony could not attach in the
nature of a mortage to the territory of
that colony. even had it been secured
by pledges of colonial revenue The
colony having gained it's independence
could not be held for the cost of the
efforts to hold it in sub
lection. At that time the money lend
crs of Europe raised great cry
against the idea 1t was new doctrine
for them. Modern precedents in Europe
did not altogether sustain the American
position, but it must be borne in mind
that the peace treaties of modern Eu-
ropaan history have been dictated by
the money lenders, who took good care
that whoever won the battle, they did
not lose their money. The Spanish
commissioners also asserted that the
United States in the payment of the
Texas debt established precedent for
payment by Cuba to be guaranteed by
the United States of this great debt of
5000, 100000. The fact Of the matter is
that Texas incurred its debt in a sue
cessful war for it's independence of
Mexico. while this Cuban alleged debt
w eAo h'Nol Su Wy SHC spanish SONeIH-
nent, in it's effort to prevent Cuba
from prosecuting q successful war, the
purpose of which was Cuban indepen-
dence
Spain was correct in its claim that
South American republics had estab-
lished a precedent, when each, one af-
ter the other, upon being released from
her control, assumed debt CORE
spending to that now pressed against
Cuba and gave those debts preference
over those contracted by themselves.
upon this matter Mr. Reid
said in the Anglo Saxon Review that
SPANS contention that it was in it's
power as the absolute sovereign of the
island to fasten indispnta-
poses, unlimited claims to it's future
revenues. would lead to extraordinary
results. Under that load colony could
neither sustain itself indie pendently
even if successful in war, nor persuade
any other power to accept RESPONSE
oility for and control over it. To ask
the nation that sprang from the sue
cessful revolt of thirteen colonies to
and act on an immoral
doctrine like that was indeed ingenious
n audacious. The American Commits
sioners pronounced it alike repugnant
70 colnmon sense and menacing to lib
erty and civilization"
That was Mr. Reds view some years
ago and there is no reason to suppose
hat he has changed it.