New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-17
MIR. Lansing Mods


II is all very we'll for our government
TO discourage rebellion in Cuba. But why
trv to discourage it by statement OF
American policy which well-intormed
Cubans cannot take seriously?
Secretary Lansing, according to Wash
ington dispatches, sent this message TO
Minister Gonzales at Havana and to all
American consuls in Cuba for publication
to the Cuban people:
Reports such as these Of instruction
against the constituted government can
not be considered except as OF the mos.
serious nature, since the government OF
+be limited States has given its CONN.,
SaO.o and snpport only to governments
established through legal and constltu-
tional methods.
During the past four years the gov
ernment of the United Sites has clearly
and definitely set forth its position IN re-
card To the recognition Of governments
which have come into power through
revolution and other illegal methods ana
at this time desires TO emphasize It's po-
sition in regard to the present situation
in Cuba.
Now, anybody who has even casual
acquaintance with the policy pursued by
the United States in the last four years
knows that our government has not fol-
lowed such a policy. Take our dealings
with Mexico The Administration refused
30 recognize Huerta not because he came
INTO power through armed revolution, but
because he was charged with completely
in the murder of Madero and because he
represented political influences in Mexico
with which President Wilson was not IN
sympathy.
We have recognized Carranza's provi-
sional government. But we recognized 1t
with full knowledge of the fact that it rests
On no other foundation than armed force.
There has never been any pretence that
fhe present Carranza government, to which
Ambassador Fletcher is accredited, came
into existence Through legal and constltu-
.ional methods"
When the President Of Peru was de-
posed by force a couple of years ago our
state Department promptly recognized
the successful revolutionary party In
Costa RIGA the other day the President
was elected from Office with what seems to
have been almost unanimous popular APP
proval. Does Mr. Lansing mean to init
mate that our government is now going
10 boycott the new Costa Rican govern
ment because Of the "irregularity" of its
bile?
If that is its purpose, it will run coun-
ter to this emphatic declaration Of policy
by President Wilson in his message to Con-
gress on December 7, 1915:
Every American who has drunk at the
true fountain of principle and tradition
must subscribe without reservation to the
high doctrine of the Virginia Bill Of
Rights, which in the great days when our
government was set up was everywhere
amongst US accepted as the creed Of free
men. That doctrine is that government
is. or ought 10 be, instituted for the COM
mon benefit, protection and security of the
people, nation or community; that "of
all the various modes and forms of gov
eminent that is best which is capable of
producing the greatest degree Of happiness
and safety and is most efectually secured
against the danger Of standardization,
and that when any government shall be
found inadequate or contrary to these
purposes, a majority of the community
hath an indubitable. inalienable and indie
feasible right 10 reform, alter or abolish it
in such manner as shall be judged most
conducive 70 the public veal" We have I'M
hesitaingly applied that heroic principle
10 the case Of Mexico, and now hopefully
wait the rebirth Of the troubled republic
The only occasion on which the United
States ever committed itself to Mr. Lam
sings theory was when our State Depart
ment drew up protocol Of an abortiye
Pan-American treaty, which guaranteed
Inc stability Of the existing governments
Of the various American republics. But
hat treaty has never even seen the light
IF day. How can it be held TO establish a
new policy for the United States?
If the Cubans accept Mr.. Lansing's
statement with polite skepticism, nobody
around the State Department will have
any good reason 10 complain.