The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-28
A QUEER POSITION.

Mexico, if we may Judge from the utter
ances of a Mexican newspaper friendly to
that Government, has suddenly appeared
as possible factor in settlement of the
Cuban difficulties. 1t is the Nacional that
speaks, and it takes an extraordinary posi-
ton. at is easily understood" says that
paper, "why the Cubans desire separation
from Spain, even at the cost of falling
under the domination of the Americans,
for the present situation humiliates them
and deprives them of their rights while at
the same time it imposes all classes of
duties. But it is not conceivable that they
should prefer to exchange the full political
liberty they would enjoy as Mexicans for
the inevitable political ostracism they
would suffer if allied to the United States.
There is no obstacle in the character of the
population of Cuba to annexation to Mex
leo. 1t would be an easy country to
govern"
This is nonsense of varied and abound
ing picturesqueness. The United States
has shown no desire whatever to secure
domination over Cuba, and it is wholly
gratuitous and unjustiiable to say that
the Cpbans would enjoy greater political
liberty under Mexican domination than
under that of this country. When it
comes to comparison of records in the
treatment OF dominated races, this country
will cheerfully enter the lists with Mexico.
While it is true that peonage in Mexico no
longer exists, and that the constitution
guarantees the electoral franchise to all its
nativeborn men, the abolition of slavery
in Mexico was accompanied with condi-
tions very different from those out of
which emancipation issued in this country.
Mexico brought to the lowest depths of
degradation the proud descendants of the
Montezumas, and even though they now
have the nominal privilege of citizenship,
we know that they do not to-day occupy so
high and independent a position as the
negroes of the United States. Whatever
may have been the causes, and however
they may have operated against the
humane dictates of the Mexican heart, we
know that the fact exists.
All this aside, together with whatever
choice the Cubans themselves may have
between the United States and Mexico in
case their rebellion succeeds and they
should not choose to remain independent,
it would be the irony of fate if Cuba
pass ullQcC Vic QOIulDlOu Vi our
southern neighbor. The contingency is
really too remote to invite speculation,
and yet the picture has an interest. Such
a thing would complete the humiliation of
Spain. and we should not be surprised If
even the intimation of it would tend to
break down a growing animosity which
Spain is cherishing for the United States.
The possibilities which might grow out of
the Nationals patriotic utterances would
give to history the most whimsical turn
that it is possible to imagine.
We shall be interested to observe the
course of Mexico now that one of its lead
ing newspapers has apparently disclosed
the policy of the Government. Will our
neighbor proceed forthwith to justify its
ability to govern a distant territory by
demonstrating the stability of its domestic
States? Will it not be harder to control
the fighting spirit OF the Cubans than the
internal disaffections that lead to rebellion
at homer Will the native blacks of Cuba
use the torch which illumines the history
of the Aztecs to cast light upon their
own destiny under Mexican domination?
These are questions which President Diaz,
one of the ablest and most humane of
rulers, will probably be asked by civiliza-
ton again and again before Cuba becomes
State of the Mexican republic.