The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-12-21
QUEEN OF THE ANTILLES.
The Proposition to Annex 1t to
the United States.
Interesting Interviews with Lead
Ing Spanish and Cuban Residents
of New Orleans ON the Subject


View Orleans Times Democrat
The reported intention of President
Cleveland TO open negotiations with
Spain for the purchase of Cuba, to
which editorial reference was made in
the T5mes-D Democrat yesterday, excited
considerable comment among Spanish
and Cuban residents of the city, and
the matter was discussed in all its
phases with considerable spirit:
The subject created such general in
terest that reporter of the Tines DEM
oeraf was detailed to see a number Of
Spanish and Cuban residents and get
their views on il.
4 gentleman, whose business fire.
quently calls him to Cuba and brings
him in contact with the leading citi-
zens OF the island, was seen. He said
that among the commercial and
moneyed classes there, span1ards as
well a. Cubans, the sentiment in favor
of annexation TO the nited States was
unanimous. There was no desire TO
bring this about by revolution or force
OF arms. but all would welcome with
satisfaction the transfer of the island
10 the United States if it could be
brought about by amicable methods.
Since the troubles in Cuba the taxes
and other burdens imposed in the bus
mess men and capitalists were very
heavy. the island was in demoraliZed
condition. and they felt that q good
government acceptable to the people,
such as the United States could and
would establish, would bring content
and prosperity. and Cuba would bios
som like q rose. The annexation
might hurt Louisiana, as Cuba can
raise almost, If not all, the United
States can consume, and as, of course,
ii would enter free, it would have
bad effect on the Louisiana producer.
However, as to the sentiment relative
10 annexation, he repeated the best
aud the representative people on the
island favored it
The reporter next called on Mr.. Jose
Vega. and he said That talk is
mere hammer on iron. 1t is most
laughable. spain positively will not
accede TO any division of her posses
sions. Cuba at the present period is
all that Spain possesses in the New
w bEAls Iittl EdNI Lti1ls4ttlh Ht-sNCo AAA4sA
she will keep it. And why not?
Should the United States attempt to
sell Louisiana would not Louisianians
feel hurt? When you touch Span
lard on Spain YOU touch his heart, and
no power on earth could make me be-
lieye that there is any foundation in
the report that Spain viii sell Cuba.
When she does then will | lose all
faith in mother countries"
Mr.. ]. Infante, n Cuban, was next
seen. and he said: II would give
one-auarter of nv life to see Cuba an
nexed to the United States and only
hope there is some foundation in the
report. Under the provincial govern
ment of this country Cuba would be-
come one of the richest islands in the
world There are extensive mines in
Cuba now lying idle for the want of
capital, elegant exportable woods,
which the outside world knows moth
ing of. and rich soils remaining uncul-
tivated. Under the United States gov
eminent these would command promi-
nent attention.
Cuba, by being annexed to the
United States, would gain the power
that she has wanted for many years,
while on the other hand the United
States would gain one of the most
prominent OF southern ports-Havana.
The financial interest TO the South
would be great. All South American
products, as well as those OF Spain,
France, and all the lower European
countries would necessarily have to
come through southern port. You
may put me down as an enthusiaston
the subject of annexation y
Mr.. ;. Penachi, a Cuban, said:
II am solidly in favor of the an
nexation plan. The island of Cuba
would be both financially and mater
tally benefited by it. Take. for ex-
ample, the poor of Cuba and the poor
of the United States. Why, out of
regiment Of 1000 Cuban soldiers 10
may know how to read and write,
and they very poorly, while in the
I tuitcd States most every negro IS
educated, and well educated, too, at
! that.
This, then. would become the
state of affairs in Cuba in the event of
/ its annexation with the United
States. There would also be con
81 ierable benefit to the United States,
for all southern exports would have to
come through an American port and
/ the revenue would be great. II would
be the proudest boast of cuban's lie
to tie able 10 look on his native soil
and say it is America "
Mr.. G.. Corral was next seen, but de-
clined TO give an opinion, He thought
that TO remain neutral and let the
question take its course was the best
| means of self-salvation.
Mr.. Del Modal and Mr.. 4. Gonzales
we're highly in favor of the annexation
! plan.
should Cuba eventually become an
| American colony said Mr.. Del
/ Modal, and | live to see it. | would
/ feel proud of my country, though at
present no one could love it more.
I Though much may be said on the
subject, can say no more than that
/ | feel assured that Cuba viii some day
or other he an American possession.
/ Yes, | am highly satisfied with the
I plan to annex Cuba.
/ Mr.. Gonzales echoed the sentiments
( OF Mr.. Modal
! Mr.. {. Madual. the next gentleman
/ yisite !, declined to give a pc, tive
opinion, but thought that every Span
/ i4r3 was against the plan to annex
/ Cuba.
/ Cuba. said Mr.. Madual, instead
! Of bringing in a revenue TO spain re.
F. aliE costs the nation money and Spain
F would he financially benefited by the
sale. bat whether she will have her
/ self benefited in that WY Is another
matter
Mr.. NJ HoFnio. ST, was called upon
{ for an opinion and gave it SIS follows;
II you want NV opinion on the
matter here it Is; think
HTS pREFosrEEpus
L. talk about Spain selling Cuba. Whv
every Spaniard wouit cry 1t Gown and
trampie upon IT, Il would he the
base-t ingratitUie - the natives OF
Caba whose fathers fought for the
soil they now possess. spain / a low
able country and would be guilty Of
/ no lugratiiDie 10 her subjects. Spain
would no more sell Caba than she
womb sell the moon il she owned it.
aod 80 the Americans viii End out.
Z Bah The idea eXcites ones ri~ihll;-
/ ties My opinion i positive. firm that