The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-01-26
Cuba and the Union.

1t is a noteworthy fact that public sentiment
in Cuba among SpaniardS. CreOles and Cubans
is almost unanimous in favor of annexation to
the United States. There is really no other wish
expressed except by the small clique of Span
iards who administer the government of the
island in behalf Of the Spanish Crown. The fact
that Cuba'> interests political as we'll as mate
rial. are bound up with those of this country. is
so complete and absolute fact as to be quite
beyond discussion. From her connection with
Spain she obtains nothing but taN-gathererS.
and of these she is deathly sick. All classes of
Cubans know that as an American State they
would sell all their produce to us and obtain all
their supplies from lis without penny of impOst.
and that their local government would be con-
Quoted 10y themselves for their own benefit
Their gain would be enormous. indisputable and
immediate. Our advantage. if less easily ind-
Gated. is not less considerable. The time is here
when the permanent relations of outlying is
lands to the United States must be considered
anew. and with none of the time prejudice
against ultra-marine jurisdiction and RESPONSE
bility which was at the beginning of our Ma
tiOna history and until our present great do
main had been acquired and settled. the natural
result of an isolated and comparatively contract
ed territory. The destiny of Hawaii became of
prime Importance to us only when the Pacific
Ocean marked our western boundary and when
cities and farms occupied the lands acquired from
France and Mexico Our interest in Cuba. while
it has never been small. is now vital. Not only
d0 we need Cuban products but we especially
need a West Indian property. The political
considerations which urge such an acquisition
are too numerous and too serious to be safely
ignored. An 1Sthmian canal controlled by our
Government has become probability. The ar
rangements of it may not be at this moment in
just the shape most satisfactory to our people,
but they are rapidly taking that shape. If the
canal is built while the political relations of
Caribbean countries remain as they are we shall
find ourselves with depot of supplies no nearer
to Greytown than New Orleans. and without
naval station OF even a coaling station anywhere
in or about the Caribbean Sea. We shall find
Great Britain with powerful defenceS at st.
Lucia and Kingston in firm control of the mouth
of the canal. 1t is profoundly significant that
these English Notifications are not old or worn
out. Those at st. Lucia have been built within
the last five years. and even yet they are being
strengthened and extended. They mounted
with the most powerful guns. and equipped with
naval stores. dry docks and Ship-repairing mate
rails. They complete chain of defenceS which,
beginning at Halifax and extending to Bermuda
and then on to Jamaica and Castries. encircle
our Atlantic coast completely. and they are
maintained in as perfect condition as the gar
risOn at Gibraltar. If we wait to acquire the
positions from which these points of attack can
be met until we are i'll immediate need of them.
we shall have waited too lOng.-COTjer Of the
SOauh.