The herald., 1898-08-06
WANT ANNEXATION
The Cuban Army Anxious to Have the
Island Coded to United States


SANTIAGO. Cuba. July 23.-(Correspond-
ence of the New York Tribune): Among
the American citizens of Cuban BIRTH and
perhaps generally among those who desire
annexation to the United States, the rift
between the American and Cuban forces
has been a source of concern. What has
made this breach of especial moment 1ust
at this time is the surprising sentiment
in favor of union that has grown in the
Cuban army itself. Not that the men of
General Garcia's troops are giving any
particular thought to the political future of
this island,for they are chiefly negroes, of
limited education and intelligence, who are
more interested in filling their stomachs
than in questions of government. but
among the officers there has been re-
narkable shift of feeling
Most astonishing and significant is the
change In General Garcia himself He has
been known as an incorporating foe to
annexation. Nor was this strange. AS
one of the most important leaders of the
insurgents, he would naturally prefer as
the fruition of his labors and risks the es-
tablishment Of an Independent govern
ment, to the merging with larger country
In Cuban republic the rewards Of all MILL
tary heroes would be more glittering than
a state Of union with only small voice
In national and international affairs. With
In the last few days, however. Garcia has
expressed his opinion that the welfare of
Cuba depended on her joining the sister
hood of the United States. Partly on ac-
count Of his attitude, and partly on &C
count of the same reasons which led to
his conversion, many of his officers now
side with him.
In General Garcia's army there Is ap-
parently no line between the white and
black troops. They stand side by side In
the same regiments. Several Of the most
important generals are negroes. To the
stranger therefore, this revelation about
race feeling comes as a surprise But ar
intimate knowledge Of the conditions leads
to assurances from various persons that
the possible ascendancy of the blacks, and
especially in Santiago province, Is al
ready the cause of uneasiness. They are in
the majority there under the leadership
of shrewd men of their own race who had
won distinction as soldiers. They would
surely become important factors.
1t might seem that under a democratic
government negro domination here would
be equally likely. whether the single star
of Cuba remained in her flag or was added
to the blue field of the American ensign
While Cubans who have studied the ques-
ton believe that independence would make
the danger greater, under it, they say the
country would have an army of it's own,
in which the negro element would he
strong. The race would then be organized
under its own leaders, and would act more
or less as a unit. Under annexation there
States, and no aggregation Of colored men,
AS individuals, the negroes would be easily
managed by the superior intelligence of
the white people.
Then. too, there would not be the same
incentives to political activity on the part
Union the prizes to be won at the polls
would be almost wholly local. In nation
they would appeal much more to the dis
pay-loving negroes To be Commander-in-
Chief of the Army or Minister to France
would be vastly more attractive than to be
Mayor of a city.
Cubans seem to predicate their opinions
with the belief that the United States
would gladly welcome their rich domain
into sisterhood. OF the feeling In the larg-
err country against adding to its political
problems they will hear nothing. They are
convinced that an era of land greed has
set In, II 1t has not always existed, and
that. with the consent of the island, union
will be speedy.