The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-01-09
Information for Some Harvard Pro-
fessors.

Four Of the professors In Harvard Uni
versity have told a Boston interviewer what
they think Of the Cuban question. After
examining the statement made by each, we
are disposed to remark that all four Of them
had better have withheld their opinions.
Prof. McVASE: "If Cuba should obtain
her independence. she would probably have
no better Government than she has" Now,
as Prof. MCVANE is in the history depart
ment Of Harvard, we might expect that he
would apply the historical method to the
case OF Cuba. All OF the many countries
on the American continent formerly under
Spain that obtained their independence have
immeasurably better Governments than
they had while Spanish colonies. The re-
public OF Mexico, for example, which suf-
fered for centuries under the baleful rule
OF Spain, has an excellent Government, Or
derby, liberal, progressive, and satisfactory
to its people. The same thing may be said
OF many Of the other independent countries,
once Spanish dependencies, which lie be-
tween Mexico and the Straits OF Magel-
Ian. They were oppressed, as Cuba is,
by Spain; they obtained their independ-
ence; they are self-governing; they elect
their own rulers and make their own
laws; they have steadily advanced in civili-
cation ever since they broke the Spanish
yoke. Now, then, we should suppose that
when Prof. MCVANE takes up the case of
Cuba he would reason by analogy. Why
does he think that Cuba alone will have no
better Government under independ ence
when so many other Spanish-Ame rican
countries have better Governments?
Prof. HART: 1.-THE native Cuban Govern
ment would probably have no better results
b any South American country of the
sort; it would be either anarchy or
tyranny" This opinion resembles that
Of MCVANE, at which we have already
glanced. Its inconsequence is manifest.
Prof. HART made another observation TO
the effect that he was opposed to the
annexation OF territory inhabited by peo-
pie not speaking English The time has
not yet come for speculation rs to the an
neXatiun of Cuba; that will be q question
Tor the Cubans to think of after they have
expelled Spain; but HARr's reason for
opposing IL Is not convincing. English was
not the language Of the inhabitants OF the
Louisiana Purchase or of the territory
acquired from Mexico n half century ago
II how big or how strong wonld our coun-
try be without these vast dominions?
Prof. ASHLEY "A Cuban republic would
mean a negro republic. The examples OF
lIayti and San Domingo are bad. Spanish
rule is preferable to n Cuban republic Of
that sort" Now, ASHLEY, this is nonsense
Less than one-third of the population Of
CUBA are OF the negro race; the white ma
tives, rs well rs the colored, are fighting
for independence; the chief revolutionary
leaders, military aud civil, are men Of
Spanish blood, When Cuba is independent,
it will be IL republic OF the people, as are
other independent republics IN Spanish
America, AS to Hayti and San Domingo,
both of them are far better off in independ-
snce than they ever were as colonies Of
foreign powers, When Prof. ASHLEY says
that "Spanish rule in Cuba is preferable to
afSpublic Of that Sort" II is our privilege to