Evening star., 1898-11-07
The Future OF Cuba.

1t is predicted in some quarters that the
United States will repeat with respect to
Cuba Englands history with respect to
Egypt That is to say. once in control it
will continue in control. The situation will
demand that the stronger power remain, In
the interests of the country itself.
The United States will keep it's promise
made to Cuba. The people of the island
will have opportunity in good season to de-
eide as to their future. All that the United
States desires is that good and stable
government shall exist there. 1t must in
sist upon that, because it is responsible to
the world for the bringing about of such
condition. 1t has turned Spain out to make
way for that. If the Cubans can adjust
their differences and demonstrate their ca
pacity for the work the United States will
rejoice. If they should decide, however
that the United States can do more for
them than they may reasonably hope to do
for themselves, and should ask for annexa-
tion, the probabilities are that annexation
will take place.
England in Egypt has been a very great
blessing to that country. The New York
Tribune in an editorial the other day gave
some instructive figures on this score
English control has existed for sixteen
years, and in that time the population has
increased from six to ten millions. The
land has yielded more than ever before
Grain, fruits and cotton have been pro-
duced in greatly increased quantities. Pub
lie works of the first Importance have gone
forward. There are more miles of railroad
IN Egypt to-day than in Spain or Portu-
gal, or Austria Hungary. When the Eng
lish came in, as the Tribune points out
there was scarcely mile of good wagon
..ai in,
portation had to be afoot, or on muleback
or camelback. In the last six years more
than thousand miles of fine roads have
been built. and the work is proceeding at a
rapid rate
This is a remarka bic performance even
for England, the most successful Of all
colonizers. Egypt is one OIL the Oldest of
countries. Activity there goes back to the
beginning. The land has been under
tribute for thousands of years. The natives
had been under the harrow so long that
progress when the English arrived was
unknown to them. That part of the world
mas been out of touch with civilization for
ages. And yet, under English touch and
direction, it is made to renew it's life and
respond with something -.Ae vigor to these
latest calls upon
Cuba is a new country. Its rich soil is
uhlinpdlred by the crops it has produced
It's forests are almost untouched Its min
cral resources are undeveIoped. Its people
50 long the sport and prey of Spain. are
ambitious, though backward 1t is situated
directly on the line of the greatest modern
activity. What may not American enter
prise hope to effect there. What changes
are certain to follow even a brief American
occupancy and control. What may not the
people OF the island promise themselves
from hearty and unreseryed cooperation
with those who have driven Spain out and
are come as their friends and benefactorsi
Cuba's future is rosy in any event The
blight of Spanish domination is ended. and
whether the island sets I'D for itself, or
snuSgles permanently under the stars and
stripes, prosperity is assured