The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-10
The Pearl OF the Antilles.

Cuba has long been the object of the
covetous eyes of Americans. 1t has been
the objective point of many bucc aneering
expeditions, stealing out for conquest from
American ports, while public men and
private citizens have advocated the ac-
QUESTION of the gem by open and honor
able purchase, as measure of wise and
far-reaching craftsmanship. The chief
physical difficulty with the former Of
these means is the vigilance and power of
the Spanish defense; with the latter the
obstacle is the fact that "it takes two to
make bargain" Spain being entirely
averse to selling, even if Brother Jonathan
were fully authorized to buy. OF recent
rumors in regard to this interesting island,
and of its present condition, products and
climate, the New York Observer says :" For
some time past various rumors have been
aAoat in regard to Cuba and Cuban affairs.
One of these has been to the effect that our
government was secretly negotiating for
the purchase of the island another, that
it would be annexed to the Union, by
force, if necessary and still another, that
it would be given to Germany in trust for
twenty-five years, and then sold to the
United States. But there is no evidence
that our government, or any respectable
portion of the American people, are de.
sirous of obtaining Cuba, at present, by
purchase or otherwise. 1t is enough to
say that this country has no need for an
extension of territory at this time. II
might be greatly to the advantage of Cuba
to come under our flag for protection and
relief, but our government is hardly pre-.
pared to assume such position toward
the island even for humanity's sake. 1t is
true that Spain is growing restless under
the severe strain to which she is put to
maintain her hold upon Cuba. 1t has been
constant drain upon the Spanish treas
ury for the past twenty-five years, and the
latest reports show that the present condi
ton of the island, in every way, is most
deplorable. The sugar crop this year will
not pay expenses. Property has depreci
ated in value to an enormous extent, and
many of the wealthiest residents are
ruined. Society is demoralized and life
is not safe in many portions of the island
But the government at Madrid has itseli
brought the colony to this condition
While protesting great attachment to it,
dependency, the policy pursued by Spair
towards Cuba has been of the most selfish
and tyrannical nature. Its object Seems
to have been to extort as large revenu,
as possible from the island by means o.
enormous taxes and burdensome restric
tions upon its trade with other countries
1t is now only reapiug the fruits of it
despicable and short-sighted policy. Rep
resentatives from the island in the Spanish
cortez have been advocating the suppress
sion of export duties, the reduction o
import duties, and the early conclusion o
treaty of commerce with the United
States as the only means of extricatinl
Cuba from the financial depression nov
existing. Some reforms of this kind hav
been promised, but none at all adequat
to the needs. 1t is obviously for Cuba
highest interests that her commercial rela
tions with the United States should be a
free and unrestricted as possible. Thi
country is the nearest and best customer il
her markets. Two-thirds or more of he
sugar expectation is to the United States
and almost as large percentage o
the other products of her soil. In on
year, before the war had affected tn
sugar industry, the export of sugar iron