Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20
Cuban Annexation.
Kansas City Times.

There is growing sentiment that in any
event Cuba should be annexed to the United
States, because of it's geographical relation to
this country. 1t is unfortunate that there is
such sentiment, for it not only belittles us,
but lays us open to the charge of rank cupidity.
Admitting the right to take and hold Spanish
territory foi our own use and profit, the line. OF
territorial acquisition we are in honor bound to
draw at Cuba. While we have not recognized
The Republic of Cuba, we have recognized the
right of Gomez and his followers to conduct
revolution tor the purpose OF overhrowlng
Spanish rue in the island, that they may es-
tablish form of government. Not only that,
but we declared war against Spain for the one
purpose OF securing to the Cubans that for
which they are in revolt. Moreover, we have
given official notice to Spain that she must with
draw her flag and troops from the island, under
penalty of having them driven out by the
United States by force of arms for refusal to
accede to our demands.
So long, therefore, as the people of Cube
claim the island as their own, and express de-
sire to govern it in their way and by them
selves, we are in honor bound to abstain from
even the appearance Of wanting TO secure the
territory fer ourselves. We must go still fur
ther than that. We are committed of our own
accord to help the Cubans establish an indie
dent government, and stand between them aud
the whole world until such a government has
been established Nor would we have the right
to withdraw our support if the people should
elect to establish a constitutional monarchy,
for our declaration in the premesis was that
Cuba had the right to renounce the sovereignty
of Spain and be free and independent of all ma
tions. We would have the right to prevent the
establishing of an autocracy, because such
form of government would be a standing men
ace to our own.
1t is claimed by those who are advocating the
acquisition of Cuba that the great body of
Cubans are giving the revoutionists no sub
stantial aid and sympathy, and they point to
the numerical weakness of the insurgent bat
tallions as evidence of it. But that proves
nothing at all. 1t was hard work for George
Washington to muster per cent of the fight
ing population of the colonies at any one time,
and upon more than one occasion his army did
not represent 4 per cent of the military
strength OF the country. Moreover, the colonies
did not at first demand independence, but mere
" better and fai1er treatment from the mother
country. The independence of the colonies
was al afterthought whereas every revolution
ir Cuba during the last fifty years was inaug-
urated to secure full and absolute reparation
from Spain. Sometimes comparisons reveal
more than was expected.
The area of Cuba is AZ 900 square miles, and
when the present revolution was inaugurated
the population was about 1900 600. 1t is be-
lieved, it is known, in fact, that, the is
land is capable of giving highly profitable main-
tenance to population of 10, 900 900. When
the new government is established in peace the
ports will be wide open to immigration, and
we may believe that the majority of the new
comers will be Englsh-speaking people. If
so, in less than quarter of century the ell
tire machinery of government, as we'll as the
country's national and international policy, will
reflect the thought and wish of that element.
In other words, Gomez is clearing field and
quarrying stones for national edifce which
will ultimately conform in architecture to plans
and specifications made by former citizens of
the United States and other English-speakng
countries But all that should be let to come
to pass in the natural way, according to the law
of the survival of the fttest Just now, how
ever, we are bound by everything that is true
and honorable to aid the Cubans in their effort
to secure their independence without once en-