The age-herald., 1898-05-15

ritory of its size under the sun It pro- duces sufficient tobacco and sugar to SUD- ply the United States. By the possession of this Island the cost of tobacco and sugar would be materially lessened to consumers in this country. Millions of American dol- lars have been invested in Cuba. and all to great profit to the investors. In a eommer- cIal sense Cuba has long since been more closely allied to the United States than it has to the mother country. No harm can come to this government by the acquisition of the Philippines, Porto Rico and Cuba. The possession of them will add materially to it's wealth and the extension of the trade of this nation.
 The American government is as well pre- pared to possess colonies as is England. It Is as humane government and it's states men are as wise. The stars and stripes should proudly float over the three colonies so long held by Spain. The humanity of the American government is better calcu- lated to establish upon the Cuban island a form of government in keeping with Chris tianity and humanity than any other na- tion on the globe, with the exception of 4@t4SAcAAN@ III doihb lAiio tAlC ClAlCd hoAebtOS government need not appear to disadvant- age before the nations of the v vorld. al- though there was clause in the resolution making the declaration of war that it was not the purpose of the United States gov ernment to extend its territory. That one clause was framed by Senator Teller. of Colorado, which met the indorsement of both houses of congress. Since the day that resolution passed the situation has changed. Public opinion has changed. The assertion can we'll be made that 90 per cent of the thinking people of the United States are today in favor of annexation of the three islands so long the poss :ssions of, Spain.
 Whether Cuba is annexed to the United States or otherwise one thing is certain The struggle with Spain means the estab- lishment by this government of the most formidable navy in the world. Other na- tions now see this, especially England ard Russia The democratic party is responsi- ble, and the credit is due to it for the pres- ent superb navy of the American govern ment In the campaign of 1884 there was a. plank in the republican platform upon which MT. Blaine nominated dsmar d. ing the rehabilitation of the Ameaican navy. This was in the nature of a criticism by the party of the party. The republicans had held absolute possession of the govern ment since 1861. and during that time no attempt was made to build a navy except during the time of the civil war. Mir Cleveland was elected instead of Blaine. He-selected his secretary of the navy William c. Whitney, of New York, the best one this country has ever had. MT Whitney was business man. He had no sooner been installed as the head of the Americal admiralty than he began mapping out plans for the building of a navy. Old fogies in congress made great objection to what they termed .hs extravaganza. He went before the naval committees and de- manded that legislation for the establishing be passed. He forced the issue with con gress and won. He formed the nucleus for as fine a navy as the world has ever seen. Secretary Tracey, in MT. Harrison's cabi- net continued the work begun by MT. Whitney. Secretary Herbert in MT. Ceve- lands second cabinet, followed in the foot steps of Secretary Tracey. The navy today is not half large enough. Even the con servative, and those favoring the most economical plans in the expenditure of pub lie money realize this fact. No matter how the present war may end the next fifteen years will see the construction of a navy that will be equal to the present navies of England and Russia combined. The United States is destined to have the most formid- able navy in the world The time is ripe to make the American navy the absolute master of the seas.