The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-08
OCCUPATION, INDEPENDENCE, An
NEXATION.

Inc SITUATION IN CuDa is developing very
fast. The rapidity with which events are
following each other on the island might
almost be compared to the rush of waters
through a broken dixie that has long con-
fined them. Spanish rule kept Cuba mark
ing time for hundreds OF years and was an
impossible barrier to progress or develop
ment in any direction. Its overthrow is like
the breaking of dam that releases pent-
up energies which sweep away old land
marks and establish new conditions. Cen
turtles of Spanish repression and stagna-
ton have prepared Cuba for just such
state of turbulence and semi-anarchy as
prevails there now, but it will not last
long. The era of destruction will be fol-
lowed by one of reconstruction, the storm of
war by the calm of peace, and the growth
Of free government in Cuba will be as fast
as the recuperation of the island in ma
terial respects, which, with it's unequaled
soil and climate will be very rapid.
Coming events cast their shadows before,
and the line on which this growth is likely
to proceed can already be discerned. 1t
will be marked by three stages, which in
general way may be designated as occu-
patton, independence and annexation The
first stage in the growth of free govern
ment will be the military occupation of the
island by the United States. This has al
ready begun. and will proceed in orderly
fashion till its work is finished. Its mis-
sion Is to pacify the island. establish stable
government and inaugurate era of peace,
law and order and local self-government
1t may take some time to do this, but the
United States is pledged to do it, and will be
justified in maintaining military occupation
of the island until it is accomplished. When
it is fully accomplished the United States
is pledged to withdraw its military force and
leave the people of Cuba in undisputed con-
troll of the island The only thing that can
prevent this or justify the United States in
pursuing a different course would be if
the Cubans should form a provisional or
temporary government, order a plebiscite
and by popular vote ask to be annexed to
the United States before establishing an
independent government. If this is not done
the United States will doubtless withdraw
from the island, and then it will enter on
its second stage of free govenment--name-
ly independence. That will be an interest
ing experiment, but it will not last very
long-possibly a few years, but not many.
Its outcome, as plainly foreshadowed as
anything in the future can be, will be an
nexation to the United States. No doubt
the Cubans will enjoy independence at first,
as any people would rights of which they
have been deprived so long and for which
they have sacrificed so much. From the
way their leaders talk, there is reason to
believe they will make earnest and hon
est effort to establish republic in Cuba,
and with the example, protection and as
sistance Of the United States they will prob
ably succeed. But their efforts will simply
be preliminary to what is clearly foreshad-
owed as the ultimate destiny of Cuba
namely, annexation to the United States.
1t will not take a long experience of indie
pendence to convince the Cubans that the
commercial prosperity Of the island, as well
as the social and political progress of it's
people, will be best subserved by annexation
to the great Republic. Its destiny will be
as little fulfilled as an Independent govern
ment as it could have been a colony of
halfway house between Spanish oppression
and American liberty. The destiny that has
been awaiting the island ever since the
American revolution is annexation to the
United States, and after a hundred years of
waiting it is in sight. 1t may not come for
a few years, but it will surely come, and it
is infinitely better for the United States
that it should come as natural process of
evolution and progress than that it should
be brought about by violating pledges or
using force. The Cubans expect a period of
military occupation by the United States
and heartily approve of it. After that they
expect independence, and they are entitled
to it. Then will come the last and culminat-
ing stage of Cuban destiny in annexation.
For this We can afford to wait.