The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-09-08
NOT TO ANNEX.
Prominent SantiagOans Do Not
Want Annexation.
Declare That Cuba Should Be
Independent.
READY FOR FREEDOM.
Plenty of Men of Culture andIn-
telligenee
To Take COntrOl-Only Need a
Little Protection.
READY FOR FREEDOM.

New York. Sept. S.-The Journal pub
fishes the following from its correspon-
dent at Santiago de Cuba:
With a view of gauging the exact
feeling existing among the inhabitants
of this city in regard to the annexation
of Cuba to the United States, have
interviewed some of the most promi-
nent men.
first called on Senior leonardo Ros,
ex-civl governor of the province of
Santiago. He has for years been chief
magistrate of the city, having been aD-
pointed mayor at the close of the ten
years war He it was who resigned
when General Shafter overruled his dis
missal of several Of his pro-Spanish
subordinates.
Senior Ros. though long resident in
New York, is strongly in favor of the
independence of Cuba, and has great
faith in the stability of such a govern
ment under the protection of the United
states, as England holds protectOrate
over certain territories. Thus capital
would be invested with security, and
strong influx of American and other
emigrants would settle here under re-
strlcted emigration laws. With SPANS
obnoxious tariffs removed and a COM
plete reversal of her proscriptive policy,
prosperity will soon return to the is
land.
when the brunt of the rebellion so
shook SPANS resources that Sagasta
became forced to offer autonomy it was
q tacit recognition of the ability of the
Cubans to govern themselves added
the ex-governor. by no means do I
personally question Americas motives,
but can appreciate the hopes and
fears OF the CubanS who have been in
the field. War-worn, ragged and hung
~, their property cOnfiscated, they have
fought manfully for an ideal It is
small wonder then that they are appre-
hensive for the future, for they have
fought and are still ready to fight for
their absolute independence"
General Linares spoke in high terms
of the magnanimity of the Americans
after the surrender, and supposed, as a
regular course, ito the victor would re-
main the spoils.' That the United
States had not entered into the war for
aggression and territorial expansion he
seemed unable to appreciate.
One of General TOral's staff officers,
whose name am asked not to mention,
but who is relative of the humane
General Hernandez de Velasco, said: 4
doubt Americas policy, and for the sake
of the Cubans hope to see them govern
themselves, for, as the Spanish proverb
says, Better ride your own horse badly
than have another man ride him WE'LL
If Cuba is annexed, it will be pure evil
dence that you Yankees have fostered
the rebellion for your own ends and are
now grabbing what they helped fight
for. Many Cubans have excellent edu-
cation, and if the niggers get paid off
the whites will soon form a govern
ment."
Mr.. Mason, British consul at Santiago,
is an ardent annexatiOnist, and, as a
business man, fully realizes the advan-
tageS OF a powerful government taking
the reins. Some of the Spanish mer-
chants also favor annexation now, but
one shipping agent, who agreed with the
rest that things would have been better
under Spain, said he preferred anything
but American military control, that
''seizes the Wharves and lighters, and
even then cannot efficiently feed it's
fT@nn civ an ri az
chants to land cargoes of food for which
the citizens are dying with money in
their pockets. charge the military
authorities with gross mismanagem
which is costing over rs lives a day
persons who want nourishing food and
find none to buy"
DR.. Caminero, the resident officer of the
United States marine hospital service in
Santiago, when asked if he thought the
piled strongly in the affirmative. There
are thousands of educated and reSpeCta-
ment and with the educa tionaI facilities
that will follow independence in few
arise speedily
Father Mesnier, a learned priest, and
go said Wills ien the n caBans must Be
deeply grateful to the brave Americans,
realization of their rights as men, the ISL
anders should form an Independent gov
in plenty
a declaration of independence of this ISL
and is imperative and necessary for the
and cOntentment of the poop e.
A government can be set up, and if the
should prove their inability to
sust tain it with wisdom, or the leaders
conduct themselves inprudently, the de-
sire for annexation will gain ground in
the hearts of the people, who now, as
ever, are opposed to the idea"
Prof. Miranda, a master of the institute,
and learned resident of Santiago, is an
ardent partisan of independence. 4 have
suffered for years, as hundreds OF others
have suffered. for my political ideas. I
have been imprisoned and prosecuted for
desiring independence, and oppression has
strengthened my desire for freedom. Our
mission has been for independence, and
will not be accomplished until we achieve
it. We, who have felt the iron heel of
hand of brutal officers our brothers ex-
ecuted or exiled, should feel exceedingly
apprehensiVe as to how far the present
understanding with the United States
will go in curtailing our future liberty, for
which we have fought and will fight until
death. come who may"
DR.. Rey, a graduate of an American col
tiagO, spoke very strongly against those
who advocate the annexation of Cuba:
''TO ask me if the United States should
now step in and forcibly annex this island
Is to ask if a theft is or is not a desirable |
act. Before God and before man, Cuba |
has dearly earned her independence, and |
We are ready to stand to the last to
achieve it."
Remarkable Rescue.
Mrs. Michael Curtain, Plainheld, Ill,