Speech #560151291

Now. these provisions are in absolute violation of the compact under wihich we undertook to aid the Cubans. We agreed that we had no intention to exercise sovereignty. jurisdiction. or control over the island except for its pacification. and asserted our determination when that had been accomplished to leave the government and control of the island to its people. while our proposition now is to create a condition of things by which we are to hold on to the island indefinitely. The proposition to leave the island to the control of the Cubans is absolutely inconsistent with that to restrict the power of the Cuban government in the matter of contracting debts. with the right to " intervene for the preservation of Cuban independence." with that restricting the right of immigration to the island. as also with that reserving to the United States coaling stations on the island. .Why. Mr. Speaker. what nation can be free with all these restrictions upon its freedom of action? No Commonwealth in this Union of indissoluble States but has more freedom of action than Cuba will have under the plan for her control by the United States as embodied in these eight provisions. What State but has the power. so far as the Constitution and laws of the United States are concerned. to contract debts to any amount. even to the verge of bankruptcy if it so desires? Into what State is immigration restricted? Why. sir. no State in the Union but that throws open wide its doors to immigrants from all civilized lands. It is by that means largely that this country has grown great and strong. Yet we say to the Cubans that colonization. which means immigration. shall not be allowed into that country. Of course. this right of emigrating to Cuba from the United States is not denied. for it is no doubt the intention. as well as the hope. that Cuba shall be colonized from our own country. but the emigrant from every other nation is debarred from the island and the Cuban government can not invite them without the risk of rendering such action obnoxious to the provisions just cited. and of incurring our displeasure. for we are to be the judges at all times as to whether any given act is an infringement of this or any other provision in the proposed amendments. And thus the sword of Damocles is to be forever suspended over the Cuban people and their government. Now.