Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-28
THE ACQUISITION OF CUBA
Senator Sherman Does Not Favor That or
the Purchase Of the Island
He Thinks the Population Undesfr.
able-Does Not Regard the Present
Rebellion of Serious Import.

The recent reports of a revolution In
Cuba have revived interest in the question
that has for many years been a ripe SUBJ
5ect for debate, the annexation or acqui-
sition of that island by the United States
In the old days Of flibustering expeditions
this question was nearly always In the
public mind In some form or another, but
OF late years it has slumbered in obscurity,
for other and weightier matters have taken
its place. Occasionally, as during the last
session Of Congress. some one in one or
the other branch of Congress offers a reso-
luton or a bill looking to the addition Of
Cuba to the territory Of this country, but
the measure or proposition attracts little
or no attention. and 1t goes to swell the
dockets of this unquestionably interesting
phase of the national history.
Years ago when the Cuban revolutionists
were struggling for freedom Senator Sher-
man was understood to favor a recognition
OF the revolutionary government by the
United States, and he has recently been
credited with favoring annexation of the
island.
Does Not Favor Annexation.
II do not know" said the Senator to q
Star reporter this morning, why it is said
that I favor annexation or acquisition Of
this island. 1 have never favored such a
It would be possible to annex the island
without due course Of international pro-
ceedings. The thing would have to be done
by acquisition, by purchase, and have
my doubts as to the willingness of Spain
to part with this colony. Spain is very
sensitive nation, and particularly SO in this
connection. Cuba is her last remaining
dependency Of all the many colonies that
she once owned, and she is very tenacious
of her holding. The island is doubtless
valuable to her in the production of reve-
nue.. though 1 doubt If it would be so to
the United States.
lation of Cuba as at all desirable from
our point of view. 1t is composed of a
very inflammable element, dangerous and
turbulent. ready and ripe at all times and
inclined naturally to rebellion. The lower
classes, the majority of the population, are
ignorant and unworthy as a rule, hard
to manage. do not think they would lend
anything to the credit of this country IL
they were brought into our system.
LAS to this affair, 1t seems to me to be
only sort of emeute, one of those period
ical uprisings that may be counted upon
about so often, but which cannot amount
to anything. I am not definitely Informed
as to the character or progress of this en-
terprise of the insurgents, for ] have not
had the time to read what has been writ
ten and printed on the subject, but from
the little l have heard, 1t seems to me to
be a very small matter. There is, as I
have said, an element in the population, a
very large element, 10 De sure Dut not IN
fluential, ready at all times for an effort
to overturn the established authority. The
employing classes. as a rule, do not coun-
tenance these enterprises, but rather dis
courage them.
A Bit OF Personal Experience.
Il had a bit Of personal experience in
Cuba that showed me how ready for re-
bellion the country is at all times, owing
to the presence Of a certain element Of
disturbers. These men are constantly try
ing to capture visitors and hold them for
ransom. Perhaps there is more rumor
about this than truth, but a party Of Con-
gressmen, including myself, had a little
brush with them several years ago that
showed how reckless they are. 1 recall
that Senator Henderson was one of the
island. of course, with some consideration
on the part Of the authorities and went
through one Of the largest sugar mills.
Word of our program, it seems, got out
among some of these bandit-like people,
and 1t was afterward said that an effort
was made to capture some of our party.
The scheme failed, however, and the rough
fellows who seemed to be managing ii had
a great row at the sugar house after We
had left. There was fight, because they
had been disappointed, and one man, l re-
quite little disturbance at the time. 1t
showed to me what a reckless people the
island contains.
L do not think there is now any serious
idea on the part of anybody to annex or
buy the island. The proposition used to
De made In former years in the interests
OF pro-slavery, but that day has passed"