The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-25
Annexation of Cuba MOI

Nv
Senator Gallinger's speech in the sem
ate on Wednesday concluded with an
expression of belief in favor of the an
nexation of Cuba to the United States.
At one time this proposition would have
been exceedingly popular. At the pres
ent time we, believe it would be re-
jected by a large majority of the elect
ors of the country could it be sub
mitted to a vote of the people, and for
the following reasons:
%. American sympathy with the
struggle of the Cuban people for inde-
pendence is unseltish and to large
extent disinterested. Denial is impos-
sible of the fact that we as a nation
would profit by Cuban independence
Trade with Cuba under the Spanish
regime has always been hampered.
Although in 1891 and 1892 under reci-
procity our trade with Cuba attained
large dimensions it was inevitable that
Spain, realizing the natural antagon-
ism between the system of government
maintained by her in Cuba and the
system prevalent in this country,
should view with disfavor the growth
in Cuba Of American influences. Span
ish antipathy to Yankee intrusion was
marked even then, and the CONNER
cial foothold which we then attained
was won only by dint of diplomatic
pressure, which augmented our un-
popularity in Spanish commercial
circles. These facts explain why
Cuban independence appeals TO our
selfish interest. But for all that, our
sympathy rises superior to this inter-
est and is akin to that which we felt
for the French when they established
republican institutions and for Hun
gary when it tried, although unsuc-
cessfully, TO effect its freedom. The
prevalent feeling in this country to-
day is that the Cubans who have borne
the brunt of the present heroic up
rising, who during it's progress have
made sacrifices beside which those of
our own revolutionary patriots were
inconsiderable in comparison, should be
left free to enjoy the fruits of their
struggle. They have paid the price
Let theirs be the victory.
(2). Annexation even after Cuba is
made free would be at best q dubious
experiment. Cuba is not American in
character and influences, as is Hawaii
1t is peopled by a race fundamentally
different from our own; race speak
ing a foreign tongue and having few
characteristics in common with US. To
attempt forthwith the incorporation
| into our body polite of such an alien
| element save under the pressure of ar
| imperious necessity would be, moi
| craftsmanship but rashness. Imperi-
| Gus necessity might in future compe
| such a hazard. Cuba's strategic rela'
| tion to the American continent, or
which we propose to continue supreme
makes wise the keeping of annexation
| always in mind as a possibility o.
| American defence in the emergency O.
| defensive war. But in the much
| more probable eventuality Of unbroker
peace our true policy toward Cubs
would point in the direction of warn
fraternal and close commercial tie!
rather than toward political union
| Should Cuba in years to come by nat
ural processes of evolution become
| Americanized in character, population
and instincts, then the question of an
neXation would present another aspect
This. however is a contingency tha
cannot prudently be anticipated.
The issue today is that of the righ
of prosecuted but heroic people t
receive in their desperate struggle 70
liberty the moral and If need be, IN
material aid of the pioneer and para
mount American republic. In givin
this aid in the name of humanity W
will not impugn our own motives b.
considering any thought of equiva
lents.