Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-15
The Proposition May Be Made in the
Next Congress.
AMERICAN INTERESTS IN FHE ISLAND
Three Times the United States Has
Tried to Buy.
THE FEELING IN SPAIN

The present outbreak in Cuba renews talk
about the purchase of the island by the
United States, and not improbably, 1t Is
thought, a proposition to make Spain an
offer win be presented to the next Con-
gress. The question, 1t is pointed out, would
in no sense be political Some prominent
southern democrats are in favor Of the ac
QUESTION of the territory by purchase. and
many northern republicans have long ad-
vocate9ff-. -Chauncey NJ. Depew, in a re-
cent Interview. expressed the opinion that
CubA ought to be American soil, and he is
accepted as speaking for the great business
interests of New York with foreign connec-
%tions. The thing to be attempted, therefore,
will be the organizing of this sentiment
north and south before the next Congress
meets. go that the movement. If brought
forward by man of note and influence,
may command the proper attention.
Three Attempts to Purchase.
The United States has three times tried
to buy Cuba. Forty years ago $10O,OOO,OO0
were offered for the island, and declined.
Spain was poor then, as she now Is, but
Cuba was rich prize then, as 1t now is,
and the Spanish government decided that
1t could afford to hold on to territory SO
tempting in the eyes of another power and
so certain to advance in value. There has
never been an intination 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 pur-
chase indicated his figures. But 1t is as
sumed that If the sum of s10o.ooo0Oo was
refused forty years ago much sitter price
would be asked today in case negotiations
for a sale were opened.
American Interests In Cuba.
There is a feeling in some quarters that,
kept separate from other matters and con-
sidered upon its 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 Philadel-
phia have gradually been increasing their
sales to the Cubans. The commercial op-
portunity is regarded as exceptionally good.
American capital has been making its way
there, and many valuable investments are
reported. The complaint, however, is. on
the part Of both the natives and the Amer
lean residents, that the Spanish rule Is op-
pressive and serves to retard progress, and
1t is for this reason that union with this
country Is SO earnestly desired. But II the
Cuban proposition should become connect
ed with Hawaii, or In any way with the
Nicaragua coast. some Of its friends will
despair of seeing it poll its 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 its entirety was too big.
and would involve the United States too
deeply at one time. They expect, more
over to see another collision take place be-
tween Congress and the executive over
Hawaii, and they want that matter dis
posed 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 instructions on
the island have been planned in this coun-
try and pushed to the very verge Of an
open infraction Of international law. They
look upon New Orleans, 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 American 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, a
Yankee method of bearing" the market
for Cuban soil by helping. to foment trou-
ple 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 thai
If the instructions to Spanish commanders
in Cuban waters could be gathered 1t would
be shown that they are cautioned particu-
larly against all craft flying the Ameri-
can flag. No Englishman, or Frenchman
or German is suspected of a desire to as
,sist the revolt in any way. But every
American is on the black list, and Spain
believes that whatever of means the armed
Cubans are now employing against the
hcme authorities have been secretly col.
lected and supplied by the friends of the
revolutionists in the United States. Fol-
this reason the American flag, it is stated
is almost a hostile emblem in the eyes OF
the Spanish sailors protecting the Cuban
coast.