Evening star., 1948-04-19

It Is eminently fitting that We
should assemble here today to pay
solemn tribute to the heroic cham
pions of human freedom who brought
about the liberation Of Cuba. The
commemoration Of half a century
of Cuban independence recalls the
valor of the Cuban patriots and
American soldiers and sailors who
gave literally of their strength and
their blood that Cuba might be free
From that chapter in mans age-olo
struggle for freedom, We can draw
inspiration for the hard tasks that
confront us in our own time.
The struggle for Cuban indepen-
dence, like every other effort Of its
kind, was fraught with hardship
and disappointment. But the un-
conquerable determination OF the
Cuban people to win freedom over
came all obstacles. From the first
the fight for liberation by Cuban
patriots evoked the sympathy OF
the people OF the United States
Those in quest of independence have
always had the support Of the peo-
pie of this Nation.
Americans watched with admira-
ton the beginning Of the final
struggle for independence led by
Jose Martf and his valiant compa-
triots, Gomez, Maceo and Garcia
Our people made increasingly plain
their desire to assist the Cuban
patriots. The sinking of the United
States battleship Maine in Havana
harbor on February IS, 1898, crys.
tailized the growing sentiment ir
this country for joining forces with
the Cuban people in their fight fol
self-government.
Resolution Made 50 Years Ago.
The Congress passed joint reso-
luton expressing in clear terms the
conviction of the men and womer
of the United States that the people
Of the Island of Cuba should be free
and independent. 1t also expressed
our determination that once the
Cuban people were liberated, they
and they alone, should govern the
Island of Cuba. 1t is the passage Of
this joint resolution, so years age
today, which we are commemorating
in this ceremony.
This joint resolution, the founda-
ton upon which our relations with
the Cuban Republic are based
brought the military and naval
forces Of the United States into the
conflict at the side of the Cuban
patriots. The names Of Shafter
Roosevelt, Hobson, and many others
were joined with those Of Gomez
Maceo, and Garcia.
For four months, as Americans
fought side by side with their Cuban
allies, the opposing forces were
driven back. On August IL, Spain
signed the protocol of peace and
agreed to give up Cuba and with
draw her forces. The dream OF
Jose Marti became at last glorious
reality.
The sympathetic interest of the
United States in the welfare Of the
Cuban people did not end with VIC
tory. We assisted the Cubans in re-
pairing the ravages of war and over
coming problems Of health and san
itation. The comradeship of war was
succeeded by the notable peacetime
collaboration of Gen. Wood, Gen
Gorgas, DR.. Walter Reed, DR.
Agramonte and other men Of science
and public life.
Relations Mutually Satisfactory.
From these sound beginnings, re-
lations between the Republic OF
Cuba and the United States have
continued through the years on q
mutually satisfactory basis. I be-
lieve that few nations Of differing
languages and cultures have drawn
so closely together during the last
so years, freely and without duress
as have Cuba and the United States
Many other factors have con-
tributed to the understanding and
affection between our two nations.
Travel between the two countries is
extensive and our peoples have
come to know each other, and each
others customs and cultures, at
first hand. Trade between the two
nations has increased steadily In
volume and Importance.
The experience of Cuba and the
United States refutes the false as
sumption that neighboring peoples
of different races and cultures are
naturally antagonistic. On the con-
trary, the history of Cuban-Ameri-
can relations demonstrates that
when people of different countries
enjoy opportunities for frequent per-
sonal contacts and a free exchange
of information and knowledge,
their ties Of friendship grow strong
er through thesyears.
Although our two countries are
separated by only 80 miles of water
and vary greatly in size and strength
they collaborate harmoniously on q
basis af equal sovernity and inde-
pendence of action. This relation
ship provides living proof Of the
ability of nations great and small to
live in peace and to enjoy the full
benf1ts of commercial and cultural
exchange. The same harmonious
relationship can prevail among all
nations, provided they possess a
genuine desire for peace and firm
resolve to respect the freedom and
the rights of others
Worlds People Want Freedom.
This Is a truth the whole worlc
should take to heart. The basic
requirement for peace and under.
standing is the will that peace
and understanding shall prevail
The will to avoid war and to seek
an understanding that precludes al
violence and aggression is one o1
the most profound and universal
concepts held by the peoples oi
this earth.
I am convinced that the plain
people Of the world, of whatever
race or nationality, desire nothing
more passionately than freedom fol-
themselves and for others-freedom
to be left in peace to earn theil
daily bread after their own fashion
freedom to leave their neighbors
in peace to do likewise.
This is the great issue of oul
u