The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-06-18
THE ONLY HOPE OF CUBA
It Lies In the Protection of the
United States.
THE POPULAR MONROE DOCTRINE.
A New National Policy Prophesied-Plan
For Extending Our Dominion and Our
Commerce-Territory, Trade and Oppor-
tuuity.

WASHINGTON. June 11.-[Special. 1T is
understood that during the presidents alb
sence from the capital ON his journey to
Nashville he is giving careful considera-
tion to the Cuban problem. 1t is also be-
lieved that by the time he returns he will
have his mind pretty well made up as to
what his duty is and as to how he is to go
to work to perform it. Special Commits
sioner Calhoun has by this time given the
president full oral report of what he saw
and heard in the island, and this is the
only thing the president has been waiting
for before proceeding to formulate his
policy. am able to say that in official
circles near the president there is strong
conviction that he will press on toward
securing the independence, or at least the
semi-independence, of Cuba l am told
furthermore that the president believes
the only hope for Cuba of the future lies
in her coming under our wing for protec-
ton, not necessarily as colony or state,
but indirectly under the folds of the flag.
In view of the near approach of compile
ton of the presidents plans it is useless to
discuss them in a spirit of prophecy, but
if he does not adopt a policy which leads
sooner or later to complete emancipation
of Cuba from Spanish rule, his cabinet
ministers will be greatly disappointed.
The Monroe Doctrine.
In this connection think it interesting
to note an incident which occurred while
the president was at Philadelphia last
week attending the meeting of all-Ameri-
can commercial representatives. Whether
by chance or design | do not know, but in
some way it happened that nearly all the
Central and South American delegates
talked of the future with gentleman in
the presidents party, who afterward re-
ported everything that had been said to
him to Mr.. Mckinley. These delegates
from the nations to the south of us, with
out exception, said they and their people
were looking more and more to the United
States for protection and for trade. There
was not nation in the south country
that did not aspire to closer relations with
the great republic. They not only wish
to come under our wing through the spirit
of the Monroe doctrine, but they wish to
have the most active commercial connec-
ton with US.
All these delegates told the presidents
adviser, and he told the president that
their countries were delighted with the
assertion of the Monroe doctrine made by
the preceding administration, and that
they hoped j. would be firmly adhered to
ever afterward. They said the feeling
among their people at this time was such
that it would be an easy matter to extend
the trade of the United States among
them. All the old prejudices against
the United States had disappeared, and
in their place were genuine admira-
ton and confidence. These delegates,
themselves men of business, marveled
much that so little effort had been made
by the merchants and exporters Of the
United States to take advantage of these
conditions. ''The English, or the Ger
mans, or the French" said they, "would
have followed up the demonstration of the
Monroe doctrine by a systematic and effect
i've bidding for trade. Your people have
done little or nothing. The soil is ready,
and all you have to do is to cultivate it,"
Leaning on the United States.
These same delegates said their people
were tired of paying commercial and finan-
cial tribute to London and Berlin. They
had become imbued with the idea of Amer
lea for the Americans, and they had come
to look upon the United States as their
great political leader and champion. Ev-
cry one of the states of Central and South
America believes if the necessity should
arise the United States would interpose its
powerful arm to protect them from oppres-
sion or injustice. This being their feel
ing, they are eager to stop sending their
products to Europe for a market; they are
eager to stop going to Europe for their
goods, their exchange, their money and
their ideas They want to get closer to
the great nation which in time of trouble
they will rely upon to protect them.
1t is usually thankless task to engage
in prophecy but am willing to risk the
prediction that during the administration
of President Mckinley the world will wit
ness new national policy on the part of
the United States. 1t will see this country
passing away from the policy of isolation
which has so long held US, and in its place
will appear a practical programme of ex-
tending our dominion and our commerce
beyond our own borders. 1t will see Ha-
waii a territory of the United States and
Cuba either territory or a semi-independ-
emit state under our protection.
New Markets Needed.
A number of high officials of this ad-
ministration with whom have talked ex-
press the opinion that the time has come
for the institution of just such policy.
They say we are no longer new country.
We are now something besides an unde-
veloped colony, with all our work of con-
struction before us. We are no longer a
simple agricultural people. We have be-
come as well great manufacturing state.
What we need is not only market for our
farm products, but for our manufactured
goods. The time has come when we must
look to the markets beyond our borders to
take away our surplus output. We need,
too, an outlet for our energies, place for
our young men to go and fight for ad-
vancement. We no longer have great
and undeveloped west. The tide of mi
grafton has ceased to flow to the prairies
and to the mountain country. Practically
all of the available and desirable land of
the great west is already taken.
The rivalry between the great nations OF
the world today, say these men, is for ex-
tension of territory. 1t is not territory
alone that is wanted, but territory brings
trade and opportunity, and these they all
seek for their citizens. 1t was long ago
perceived that the great nations of Europe
could maintain their place only by eniarg-
ing their sphere of operations, so they
have gone forth to Asia, to Africa, to Aus
tralasia for empire Is the United States
to shut itself up in hole and refuse to
Join in this race? Are we to lag behind