The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-07-27
COUNTRY CALUMET
never been certain that Independence Is
the best thing after all

1
the best thing after all.
| 1t has been my notion that the post.
beiium administration Of Cuba's affairs
would be under the military authorities
OF the United States, that under such an
administration all residents, of every race
native Cubans Spaniards, Germans,
Englishmen, Americans-would have
equal opportunities To attend 10 whatever
affairs they decided 10 turn their hands
TO, the same as here, that under such con-
ditions the natural resources of the island
would be developed as they had never been
| developed before, that the local govern
ment of cities would be carried on as here
according TO the wishes of the majority,
and that representative government of the
entire island would be gradually intro
duced
I'm time under these conditions have
expected that the people of Cuba would be
afforded the opportunity of choosing for
themselves just what form of government
and just what degree of independence they
prefer, and 1 have always believed the
chances much in favor of annexation TO
the United States, perhaps as territory
first, but eventually, when the people are
all ready for it, as state. And, in any
event, have been ready and willing to
trust Uncle sam implicitly.
Cuba's Only Salvation.
Some such programme as l have out
lined is Cuba's only salvation. In present
conditions Cuba as an independent state
would be an opera bouffe commonwealth,
fit only TO be placed in the same class as
Haiti, where it is misdemeanor TO kill
a pig in any town, since, there being no
sewers, the pigs must act as scavepgers,
and without them the whole island Would |
soon become one vast pesthouse.
with independence thrust upon the |
Cubans, all unprepared for self govern ,
ment as they are, the island would soon
lapse into state of anarchy beside which
its condition under Spanish rule, outrage
Gus as it has been, would be a model of
orderliness and good government Cap
ital would not invest, railroads would not
be built, mines would not be opened trade
would not be developed Worse yet, brig
andage would flourish and crime would
run rampant.
II hope you will not misunderstood me.
do not mean to carry the idea that no
Cubans are capable of taking up the re-
possibilities of citizens living in a repub-
ic. There are, in fact many Cubans per-
ectly competent TO assume the rights of
AeAHShsiiP, uuV lHo prOpOIulOu HOU 50 COIL
letent is quite large enough to Illustrate
he efforts of the sane and the level headed.
But Notwithstanding all l have said }
wish TO add that the attitude of General
iarcia's soldiers does not surprise me
They have fought long and hard; they
ave bled and starved for Cuba; they have
zen plundered by the Spaniards; they are
gnorant; many of them have been virtu-
lily brigands all their lives. What is more
atural than that they should expect the
rivilege of plundering the Spaniards when
hey are DOWN. But Garcia himself ought
D know better"
Talk with dozen or more members of
ne Cuban colony here shows that its sem
ment is virtually unanimous, leaving
ut only the professional agitators. They
robably support Garcia, but their views
re SO generally unpopular that have not
ct been able to find one willing to affirm :
Is faith. DEXTER MARSHALL.