The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-16


ing the serious attention of tie enlight-
ened Cubans both on the island and in
the United States--not the immediate
future, as that is already regarded as
certain to involve the end of Spanish
misrule, but the years to come. Tampa
ia at present an excellent place to sound
the feeling Of Cubans on this subject.
There are gathered there not only those
who have lived in this country for some
time and are most pronounced in their
sympathy with it, but leaders who have
fought until recently and have mad few
dealings with the people of the United
States OF course there is no unanimity
of sentiment, but 50 far as can be judg-
ed the weight of opinion is that Cuba
will be added to the land that is to
make her free. The terms Of the resolu-
tion which empowered President Nc
Kinley to intervene III the struggle are
not overlooked in making forecasts, nor
do the Cubans who have been long in
the United States disregard the wide
spread and deeply rooted feeling against
territorial expansion. Their belief is
that in time, and in no very long time,
either, annexation will come.
First to be considered is the attitude
Of Cuba herself. Undoubtedly when or
der is established there will be ambi-
tious generals who will seek civil pre-
ferment and will strive for a permanent
republic. Cubans here, however, who
consider themselves good judges Of the
sentiment of their countrymen believe
that the greater part of them will desire
no such thing The experience of South
and Central American countries makes
it likely that revolutions will be period
ical in the independent country. The
mercantile classes will especially desire
the stability that control from Wash
ington would secure. OF course, to pro-
ducers of sugar and tobacco the uplift-
ing of the United States tariff would be
of incalculable value. All trade condi-
tions would be better under the larger
and stronger government.
There are also strong sentimental rea-
sons in favor of annexation. The United
States has long been the hope Of Cuban
patriots, and from here has come nearly
all the aid contributed from outside the
island to the various revolutions. In the
three years struggle this help has been
all important, even while the govern
ment sought most strenucusly to frus-
trate it. Finally, the present interven-
tion, involving as it does the massing
of great fleets and armies, will naturally
awaken the strongest feelings of graft
tude. The inevitable success of the
United States in the war with Spain
will give her an additional prestige
among the nations Of the world, which
will make citizenship in her posses
sion of pride to nearly every Cuban. AS
a republic Cuba would merely be classed
with dozen other countries of the new
world. AS one of the United States her
sons would feel part Of one Of the MOST
powerful lands Of the world. This SEN
timent is one that appeals particularly
to the Cuban mind.
Historically there is trend toward
annexation that is interesting. Il began
half century ago, before Lopez landed
his first expedition in Cuba. At that
time he adopted the single star as the
standard Of Cuba in token Of his ambi-
tion to have it transferred to the field Of
the United States flag. This star he
placed not in sky of blue, as heraldic
convention would dictate, but in one
red, to signify the blood out of which
it should rise. He was right enough in
his prediction. A Massachusetts, woman
made the first Cuban flag, and it was
carried by Lopez ON his expedition.
This venture proved failure, and so
did his next one, but the flag is soon to
float over Cuba's capital. The single
star, as the type Of annexation, is for
more than the mere idea of Lopez. 1t
was adopted in the beginning of the
three years war after discussion Of
several days in which its significance
was made entirely clear. Certainly this
is important evidence that the hope of
the adventurer Lopez is shared by a
great body Of the Cubans of today.
All this is how the patriotic colony
in Tampa seems to view the situation.
OF course il will take the consent Of the
other party to secure annexation. On
this score Cubans are as confident as
they are of the feeling Of their own
countrymen. They regard the admission
Of Hawaii as certain, since the develop
ments Of the last few days What bet
ter precedent could he desired for the
annexation Of their own island, they
ask. Some think that for certain peri
cd Cuba will retain her separate exist
ence. After few years, if she makes
the advances, the United States can take
her in without stultifying herself, Gu
bans say, in spite Of the final paragraph
of the congress resolutions. New York
Tribune.