Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-05-20
MAY BE ANNEXED.
A Cabinet Member Thinks
We May Acquire Cuba.
The Island Would Be Invaluable 10
the United States.
For Il Has The Richest Land for Cultivation
in the World


have passed the United States is likely to
intervene between the Cuban insurgents
and the Spanish government. Ii is re-
ported on what appears to be excellent au-
thority that President McKinley's special
message to congress, asking an appropria-
ton for the relief of suffering Americans
in Cuba, which was so promptly respond
ed to by that body, is the forerunner OF a
policy which may lead either to Cuban IN
dependence or to that island becoming
sort of dependency of the United states
/ was talking about thistoday with mem
Der of the presidents cabinet, and this
official said to me:
1t would be "a great thing for the Unit
ed States If we could acquire Cuba, either
directly as a territory or indirectly as a
dependency whose existence we We're to
guarantee. Leaving out of the question
the humanity of the matter, the demand
which exists for some solution OF the prob
lem that will protect life and put stop to
the suffering which exists among peaceful
people in the island, Cuba is OF vast I'M
portance to us commercially. have seen
the reports of our consuls on file at the
state department, and they tell an amaz-
Ing story of SPAIN failure to care for the
noncombatants who were driven into the
fortified cities and towns by General Wey-
ler's cdict They are suffering from lack
of food, smallpox RACES among them to
such an extent that at one place it Is re-
ported $500 men, women and children
have the disease, and yellow fever threat
ems to break out. The sanitary condition
Of these refugees is most wretched. 1t ie
high time something were done to relieve
all this suffering and l think the presi-
dents move to afford relief will meet with
tho approval OF the whole world.
The Truth About Cuba.
"Thore is another thing" continued
this member of the cabinet. 1.-THE truth
about Cuba is likely TO come out now.
The men who go down there to distribute
the supplies purchased by the government
will see some henrtrending scenes They
will see thousands of people huddled to
gcther in little huts, starving, diseased,
hopeless Not many of these are Ameri-
cans, either native or naturalized, but all
will beg for help. The agents of the gov
eminent will find it difficult to refuse such
appeals. 1t will be almost impossible to
refuse to deal out little bread or medi-
cine even If the suffering person is not en-
titled to the protection of this government.
Thus all the facts about Cuba's failure to
take care of the refugees, of tho victims of
her own edicts, will come to light. The
news will be spread all over the world.
And il / mistake not the people of all the
world will demand that the United States
intervene for the purpose Of putting stop
to these horrors
"But, Mr. Secretary remarked, call
this has already been made known through
the newspapers.
'That Is true" he replied. sit is only
fair to say, to the credit of tho men who
have been in Cuba us the representatives
OF our great newspapers, that they have
told the truth. They have accurately de-
scribed what they saw there. They have
been confirmed in every particular by our
consular reports But now the facts are
to come out in a semiotficial way. The
world will DO longer be skeptical. 1t will
have to believe that Spain has not only
scored military failure in Cuba, but that
she has failed most miserably to meet her
responsibilities rs a civilized government.
Nothing is better settled than that when
government finds it necessary to remove
noncombatants from their homes, as a
military measure, it must take care of
them. 1t is responsible for them before
the world. Spain thought to starve out
the insurgents by removing the people
from their farms. Tho insurgents are not
starving but the poor people who were
ordered into the cities are
The Presidents Feelings.
"Do you think, Mr.. Secretary, the pres
ident will be forced to intervene?'
81 do not feel at liberty to talk about
the intentions of the president. Much will
depend upon the attitude of Spain. If she
takes hold of the situation as she should
do, if she retires the generals and military
leaders who have disgraced her name and
robbed her of her resources by their corrup-
ton and wor1hlessness, and makes sin
cere effort to relieve the sufferings of the
refugees ard to restore order in the island,
the president may not interfere. But
could not answer for the consequences il
Spain pursues her past policy and goes on
scoring failure after failure. l am sure
the president has n very earnest, very
deep, feeling on this question, and that be
is determined to do his duty as he sees it.
He believes the American people will up
hold him in anything he undertakes fol-
the betterment of the people of Cuba
among whom are many American citizens
'.There is one thing / feel very sure of, >
continued this member of the cabinet at
Is that if events bring about the annexa
ton of Cuba to the United States, or tho
placing of the island under American pro
lection, it will be a fortunate day for this
country. Since l came to Washington
have made a special study of Cuba and its
relations to the United States, and have
been amazed to discover what a boon t
this country, commercially, Cuba would
be. If order is restored in the island ant
the people are guaranteed Il strong, JUS
government for all time to come, you will
see in Cuba one of the greatest booms o
modern times 1t is the richest land il
the world. Its plantations, its mines, it,
forests, need American money and enter
prise.
Prediction.
within 80 days after the future Of Cubs
was assured by its being placed under oul
protection or authority you would sc,
thousands of Americans going there to be
gin business operations. Cuba would
blossom like a rose. We need some sucl
outlet for our young men; we need jus
such field for investment, for enterpris
and for commerce. Make Cuba free O.
give her a settled government, and he
trade with the United States would quick
ly run up to the hundreds of millions O
dollars year. 1t would be great strok
for the limited StatpS and shonld Dot H.