The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-07

WHY NOT ANNEX PORTO RICO.
Assuming that the present war will end
as it undoubtedly will, in the expulsion OF
Spain from the western hemisphere, the
United States will virtually have the dis
posal of the Philippine islands. of Cuba
and of Porto Rico. Speculation concerning
the Philippines has already taken wide
range the drift of opinion being divided be-
tween holding them as security for the pay
ment of war indemnity or making them the
basis of a deal with some friendly power.
Possibly, if we capture all three of the
islands. we could afford, in making treaty
OF peace with Spain, to return one Of them
as an inducement to her to cede another.
There is no provision in our system of gov
eminent for governing a dependency. and,
while this may at present be regarded as a
bar to the United States permanently hold
ing the Philippines, circumstances may
arise that will make such permanent pos
session desirable. If in time it shall seem
wise to hold these islands way to do so
will certainly be found. AS for Cuba, the
policy of the government is already de-
clared. The fourth clause of the Cuban
resolutions. adopted by Congress and APP
proved by the President, under which the
war is being prosecuted, declares:
That the United States hereby discIaims
any disposition or intention to exercise SOW
ereignty, jurisdiction or control over said
island, except for the pacification thereof
ana asserts its determination when that is
accomplished to leave the government and
control of the island to it's people.
This bars all talk of the annexa-
ton of Cuba, even if there were
any public sentiment in favor of it,
as there is not. But the case of
Porto Rico is different from either of the
others. 1t is not in distant quarter of the
globe, in Asiatic waters, and part of diff
ferent political system, 3s the Philippines
are. 1t is in American waters, brt short
distance, comparatively, from our coast,
geographically part of the American con-
tinental system, and valuable to the United
States for commercial and strategic rea-
sens. We are not pledged 70 any line of ac-
ton regarding Porto Rico, as we are re-
garding Cuba. Porto Rico has been as bad
ly misgoverned Cuba, and it's inhabit-
ants, or a large portion of them. are as
anxious to throw off the Spanish yoke as
fled in driving Spain out of Cuba IN the in
terest of liberty and independence, we
would be justified in annexing Porto Rico 1
on the. same ground.
The United States have foolishly failed to
Improve several opportunities to acquire an
island in the West Indies. Now they see
the Importance of such possession. In
1869 President Grant negotiated a treaty for
the annexation of San Domingo and the
favor of it. In a message transmitting the
treaty to the Senate General Grant said:
The acquisition of San Domingo is desira-
Die because OF its geographical position. 1t
commands the entrance to the Caribbean
sea and the isthmus transit of commerce.
Its possession by us will. in a few years,
build up a coastwise commerce of immense
magnitude, which will go far towards re-
storing to us our lost merchant marine. 1t
Will give TO us those articles which we con-
sumo so largely and do not produce thus
equaliZlng our exports and imports. In case
of foreign war it will give us command of
all the islands referred to, and thus prevent
an enemy from ever again possessing him
self of a rendezvous upon our very coast.
The acquisition of San Domingo is
an adherence to the Monroe doctrine. 1t is
measure of national protection. it is assert
iEg our just claim to controlling influence
over the great commercial traffic soon to
flow from east to west by way of the
Isthmus of Darien; it is TO settle the un-
happy condition of Cuba and end i'm exter-
minating conflict; it is, in fine a rapid stride
toward that greatness which the intell-
gence, industry and enterprise of the cit-
zens of the United States entitle this coun-
try to assume among nations.
Every word of this applies more strongly
to Porto Rico than it did tc San Domingo.
The Senate did not agree with the views of
General Grant and rejected the treaty. If
we had annexed San Domingo in 1870 the
present war might not have occurred, or if
it had we would have a base of opera
tions in the West Indies. In addition to the
commercial and strategic Importance of
Porto Rico to the United States, the estab-
lishment of republican government there
would be a good object lesson for the
Cubans, and would help to establish and
preserve peace in the larger island. When
the question is presented, as it is pretty
sure to be, in the near future, the United
States should consider whether their own
interests and the cause of free government
will not be promoted by the annexation of
Porto Rico.