New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-11
WHAT WILL BECOME OF CUBA
CUBAN SENTIMENT IN FAVOR OF AN
NEXATION.
GRATITUDE AND BUSINESS CONSIDERATIONS
POINT ONE WAY ~ THE CUBAN MIND


THE MEANING OF THE ONE STAR
rrRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRIBuSE.l
Tampa May 6-The future Of Cuba is already
engaging tho serious attention OF the enlight-
ened Cubans both on the island and in this
country. Not the immediate future. as that Is
already regarded as certain to involve the end
Of Spanish misrule. but the years to come.
TAMPA Is at present an excellent place 10 sound
the feeling Of Cubans on this subject There
arc gathered here not only those who have lived
IN this country for some time and are most pro-
nounced in their sympathy with 1t, but leaders
who have fought until recently and have had
few dealings with the people Of the United
States OF course. there IS no unanimity or
sentiment but 50 far as can be judged the
weight Of opinion is that Cuba will be ADDED 70
the land that Is TO make her free the terms
Of the resolution which empowered President
Mckinley TO intervene in the struggle are not
overlooked in making forecasts. nor do the Cu-
bans who have been long in the United states
disregard the widespread and deeply rooted feel
ing against territorial expansion. Their belef
is that in time. and in no very long time either
annexation will come.
First 70 be considered Is the attitude Of Cuba
herself Undoubtedly when order is established
there will be ambitious generals who will seek
T
neat republic Cuaans here. however. who con-
slider themselves good judges OF the sentiment
Of their countrymen. believe that the greater
part Of them will desire such thing. The ex-
perlence Of South and Central American coun-
tries makes It likely that revolutions will be
periodical n the independent country. The
mercantile classes will especially desire the sta
billy that control from Washington would Sc
cure. OF course. 10 producers OF sugar and to-
bacco. the uplifting Of the United States tariff
would be of ncalculable value. All trade con-
di,ions would be better under the larger and
stronger Government
GRATITUDE FOR PAST FRIENDSHIP.
There are also strong sentimental reasons IN
favor OF annexation. The United States has
long been tho hope Of Cuban patriots. and from
here has come nearly all the aid contributed
from outside the island % the various revolutions
In the three years struggle this help has been
all-lmportant even while the Government
sought most strenuously 20 Illustrate II. Finally
the present Intervention. involving az II does the
rnassing II great heets and armies, VIII natu-
rally awaken tho strongest feelings q gratitude.
Tho inevitable success ot the United states IN
IN. war with Spain will give her an additional
prestige among the nations OF the world. when
WI make citizenship in her possession OF
pride 20 nearly every Cuban. As a republic
. cuba would merely be classed with dozen
other countries Of the New World. As one OF
N. United states. her sons would feel part OF
one 81 the most powerful lands Of the world.
/ TITS sentiment Is one that appeals particularly
to he Cuban mind
TIE MEANING OF THE SINGLE STAR
Historically. there is a trend toward annexa-
lion that Is interesting II began half a CEN
fury ago before Lopez landed his first expeci-
ton IN cuba At that time he adopted the
single star "a the standard OF Cuba, In token
= his ambition 70 have Il transferred 10 the
Acld Of the United states flag This star he
placed not IN A sky Of blue. as heraldic conven-
ton would dictate but in one OF red. to signify
tho blood out ot which :, should rise. He was
right enough IN his prediction. ~ Massachusetts
woman made the first Cuban flag. and It was
carried hy Lopez on his expedition. THIS vent
ure proved A failure. and so did his next one.
. hut the fax is soon 20 float over Cuba's capital
The single star as the type OF annexation. Is
>o- more than the mere idea OF Lopez. II was
adopted IN the beginning OF the three years
war inter discussion OF several days in which
- sfgniHcance was made entirely clear. Ger
talnlv this !s important evidence that tho hope
d = the adventurer Lopez IS shared By a great
body 81 the Cubans OF today.
All this s how the patriotic colony here seems
10 view the situation. OF course. 1. will take
the consent O. the other party TO secure an
rexntion on this Cubans are as con-
ndent as they are Of the feeling OF their own
countryuen. They regard the admission OF Ha-
wall as certain. since the developments OF the
last week What better precedent could be de-
sired for the annexation Of their own island
they ask Some think that for certain period
cuba VIII retain her separate existence. After
fcw years Y she makes the advances. this
/ country can take her in without stultifying
/ herself. Cubans say. in spite Of the final para
graph of the Congress resolutions. AS 70 the
historical objections. as 20 the addition ~ an
alien population and alien legislators. as TO tho
interests 81 Louisiana growers Of sugar and
Virginia and Connecticut raisers ~ tobacco. as
20 the dozen other clements which make up the
case against annexation on this side OF the
Florida Strait. readers OF The Tribune
Judge for themselves Re that az Il may. Gu
Dan confidence IN ultimate annexation is GER
tainly strong.