The Portland daily press., 1895-03-22
AN OFFER FOR CUBA.
The Proposition May be Made in the Next
Congress.

Congress.
u N The present outbreak in Cuba renews
talk about the purchase OF the island by
the United States, and not improbably,
it is thought, proposition to make
Spain an offer will be presented to the
next Congress. The question, it is point
ed out, would in no sense be political.
Some prominent Southern Democrats are
in favor of the acquisition of the terri
tory by purchase, and many Northern
Republicans have long advocated It,
Chaunoey M. Depew, in a recent inter
view, expressed the opinion that Gu oa
ought to be American soil, and be is ac-
cepted as speaking for the great business
interests of New York with foreign con
nections. The thing to be attempted,
therefore, will be the organizing OF this
sentiment North and South before the
next Congress meets, so that the move
ment, if brought forward by d man Of
note and influence, may command the
proper attention. 9lli"
THREE ATTEMPTS TO PURCHASE.
The United States has three times tried
to buy Cuba. Forty years ago 500, 100000
Spain was poor then, as she now is, but
Cuba was rich prize then. as it now
is, and the Spanish government decided
that it could afford to hold on to terri
tory SO tempting in the eyes of another
lower and SO certain to advance in value.
There has never been an intimation as
to the money value put upon Cuba BY
Spain, and no one believes that it would
be an easy matter to ascertain the
amount today. Nor has any American
statesman now in favor of purchase lndl-
Gated his figures But it is assumed that
if the sum of 00,000,00O was refused
forty years ago much sitter price
would be asked today in case negotiations
for sale were opened
AMERICAN INTEREST IN CUBA.
There is feeling in some quarters that.
kept separate from other matters and
considered upon it's own merits, the
proposition to buy Cuba would develop
great strength in this country. The
business relations of the lower Atlantic
coast with the island are intimate, and
for some years have been profitable,
while New York and Philadelphia have,
gradually been increasing their sales tos
the Gu bans. The commercial op2ortuni-
American capital has been making it's
way there, and many valuable invest
ments are reported. The complaint, how
ever, is, on the part of both the natives
and the American residents, that the
Spanish rule is oppressive and serves TO-
retard progress, and it is for this reason
that union with this country is SO ear
nestly desired. But if tine Gu ban propo-
sition should become connected with
Hawaii, or in any way with the Nicara-
qua coast, some If its friends will de-
spair of seeing il poll it's real strength.
An excuse they think, would be given to
men timid about the foreign policy of
the government to hold back, upon the
plea that the project in it's .entirety was
too big, and would involve the United
States too deeply at one time. They ex-
pect, moreover, to see another collision
take place between Congress and the ex-
ecutive over Hawaii, and they want that
matter disposed of before Cuba is
brought forward.
THE SPANISH FEELING.
1t is stated by those entitled to be
heard that Spain would rather part with
Cuba to any other country than to the
United States. Officials in Madrid have
been led to believe that all of the insur-
rections Oh the island have been planned
in this country and pushed to the very
verge of an open infraction of inter
national law. They look upon New Or
leans, Mobile and Key West on the lower
coast, and on New York, Philadelphia
and even Boston, on the upper coast, as
resorts of Cuban plotters, where Ameri-
can assistance and sympathy are freely
extended. The purpose of all this, as
they believe, is to force Spain to part
with Cuba. 1t is, in their eyes, Yankee
method OF clearing" the market for
Cuban soil by helping to foment trouble!
on the island and making it expensive
for Spain to maintain her authority
there. This is quoted, too, to explain the
firing on the Alliance. The opinion is
expressed that if the instructions to
Spanish commanders in Cuban waters
could he gathered it would be shown
that they are cautioned particularly
against all craft flying the American
flag. No Englishman, or Frenchman or
German is suspected of desire to assist
the revolt in any way. But every Ameri-
can is on the black list, and Spain be-
lieves that whatever of means the armed
Cubans are now employing against the
home authorities have been secretly col
lected and supplied by the friends of the
revolutionists in the United States. For
this reason the American flag, it is stated
is almosE a hostile emblem in the eyes
OF the Spanish sailors protecting the
Cuban coast. Washing ton Star.