Cuban Statehood Discussed by Congress in 1902 and 1903

Jun 3, 2010 Michael Streich

The Newlands Resolution invited Cuba to seek territorial status leading to statehood in an effort to further both political and economic unity.

Cuba came under American influence following the Spanish American War of 1898, a conflict designed to free the Cuban people from oppressive Spanish colonial rule. Part of the April 19, 1898 war resolution included the Teller Amendment, which acted as a formal disclaimer regarding U.S. goals. Congress stipulated that U.S. goals did not include the “…intention to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control over said island…” But in early 1902, Nevada Congressman Francis Newlands presented the House with a Joint Resolution “inviting” Cuba to become a U.S. territory and ultimately a state. Newlands revived the resolution in November 1903 while serving his first term in the Senate.

Commercial Reciprocity verses Political Union

Newlands was the author of an earlier resolution that resulted in the annexation of Hawaii. His notion to welcome a Cuban bid toward statehood was tied to linking commercial reciprocity with political union. In February 1902, Newlands stated that, “By coming into our political union Cuba will secure immediately the highest degree of freedom and with it a large market for her varied products.” (New York Times, February 2, 1902)

Elections in Cuba took place in December 1901 and once a new, independent government was in place early in 1902, American troops began to withdraw (May 20). At the same time, Congress was crafting a commercial reciprocity treaty giving Cuba distinct trade advantages with the United States. This new agreement was not completed, however, until 1903.

A Single Cuban State of Several Islands

The Newlands resolution envisioned a state comprised of Cuba as well as other islands that had relationships with the U.S. “When the time for statehood comes, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and other West Indies Islands in our possession can be incorporated into the Union as one state.” Puerto Rico, however, had a different relationship with the U.S., as it still does today.

Newlands scheme to create one state out of several islands was to avoid possible “over-representation” in the U.S. Senate. In his 1903 resolution (S.R. 15), Newlands states that the Cuban President and Vice-President would become “the governor and lieutenant-governor, respectively, of the State of Cuba…” (Clause Two) Newlands also addressed Cuban bonds that were about to be issued to pay for “its army during war with Spain.” According to the resolution, they would be reduced from 5 to 3 percent once statehood was achieved.

Opposition to the Newlands Resolution

Critics in the Senate were quick to note that the resolution violated the 1898 Teller Amendment. The New York Times (November 24, 1903) pointed out that even though the resolution was a “welcome” and not an indication of U.S. annexation, it was creating uneasiness in Cuba. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge commented that Puerto Rico already had a special relationship with the United States through the 1900 Foraker Act.

Senator Eugene Hale of Maine suggested that Newlands’ logic and arguments could apply as easily to Canada. Other objections included the appearance that the U.S. government was being driven by American corporations eager to exploit Cuban resources. Ultimately, the resolution was defeated although the commercial reciprocity treaty was enacted.

Statehood is Still Discussed

In 2007, Arturo C. Castro published Statehood for Cuba (BookSurge Publishing) which explores the Cuban Revolution that brought Fidel Castro to power as well as the idea of “Cuban Statehood.” Writing in Cuba News (July-August 2008), Castro stated that, “The door to statehood is with the Cubans who live in Cuba and the younger generation of Cuban-Americans.”

Writing in Time Magazine International (November 30, 1998), Christopher Ogden declared that any review of the U.S. “bankrupt” policy toward Cuba that began with the embargo under President Kennedy should include a blueprint for Cuban statehood. Although much of the piece is “tongue-on-cheek,” the notion of Cuban statehood would be bold and “creative,” according to Ogden.

The Likeliness of Future Cuban Statehood

One of the significant global features of the post-Cold War has been the reemergence of ethnic identities. Several plebiscites in Puerto Rico, the last in 1998, left the island’s status unchanged. The global trend continues to be that indigenous groups are seeking to break from larger nations in order to forge their own independent futures. Why should Cuba be any different?

Copyright Michael Streich. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.