The herald., 1895-03-27
THE CUBAN TROUBLE

almost one-half the North American con-
tinent. indeed, quite one-hslf that was
habitatle, and also much the larger part
of South America. All these dependen-
cies have gained their independence. and
Spain has not foothold on the mainland.
She chung to her possessions tenaciously,
but was compelled to yield to the arms OF
rebellion. Cuba is the last of her posses
sions of any consequence in the Western
Hemisphere.
Cuba has been in state of chronic re-
bellon, if the troubles there may be dig
niied by that word, for nearly half Is CEN
ury. The possession OF Cuba is of vital
importance to Spain, on account OF the
revenue derived from that island. In
consequence of its tremendous productive
ness that country can stand taxation that
would impoverish almost any other peo-
pie. The soil is fertile and productions
are of the richest character. From agri-
culture alone few localities can sustain so
dense population. Sooner or later Cuba
must be divorced from Spain, but whether
the Cuban people by themselves can
achieve and maintain independence is at
least problema tical. 1t is expensive for
Spain to maintain her dominion over the
island, for the military and naval forces
necessary to accomplish it must be sent
from Europe, as it is impossible to
secure any considerable force from Cuba
itself.
small percentage of the people are
Spanish and as rule the native Cubans are
not friendly to Spanish rule, but they are
not of that spirited and determined class
which has in other realms waged sue
cessful wars for independence. The
negroes numerically are nearly or quite
equal to the whites. but they are slower
in the main, and much below the blacks
of this country in intelligence and deter
mination. The slave trade continued
longer in connection with Cuba than
with any other section of America, and
there are still upon the island those who
were born in Africa and forcibly alb
Quoted. Should Cuba achieve her indie
pendence. the government that would be
established would likely be of such char
acter as not to be in accord with the adj
vanced civilization of the age. There is a
restitution of able men. and the mixed
population would be difficult to control
by any agency other than force. There
are already evidences of race conflict,
and were the military and naval forces of
Spain withdrawn. there is danger that
a condition of anarchy would supervene
But such condition would be preferable
TO the despotic rule of Spain. for confus-
ion would in time come to an end. but
Spanish tyranny would be perpetual. In
dependence of Cuba would result in de-
preston of industry and very much re-
duce production until settled condition
of affairs was established. Cuban indie
pendence would be advantageous to this
country. as our proximity would enable us
to supply her people with breadstuffs,
provisions and manufactures. The duties
on cereals and some other things are now
SO high that we cannot compete with the
products OF the agricultural districts
of Spain which enter that island free of
duty. On this account. as we'll also by
reason of sympathy with struggles for
freedom. the people of this country favor
the insurgents.
Should the instruction assume consid-
cradle proportions and be very much pro-
longed there is likely to be friction be-
tween this country and Spain, for with
the exercise of the utmost vigilance. aid
and cooperation from this country can
hardly be prevented. Those who plan in
surrections escape to the United States,
in fact supplies are acquired here, and
movements are directed from this coun-
try.
There are advocates of annexation as
well as sympathizers with Cuban indie
pendence, and their moral influence up
holds the instruction. That in COM
mercial aspect annexation would be mu-
tually advantageous is beyond doubt, yet
we could control her trade more COM
pletely shan any other nation " ere Cuba
an independent nation, an island repub-
lie, for she would be obliged to place us
on an equal footing with the most favored
nation so far as relates to commerce.
She could not discriminate against our
products without violation of treaty stip-
ulations which she would feel obliged to
enter into with us. This would be quite
as well for us, Independent of the consid-
Grafton that TO establish and maintain
government over that mixed population
would give us no little trouble. In trade
with Cuba, the balance Is uniformly large
ly against us, because she supplies us
with very large part OF the sugar which
we consume.