Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1899-04-19
ANNEXATION or CUBA
To Be the Aim OF the Administration
Means to Be Peaceful.

One of the leading Westinghouse
respondents, in ii recent special, is
authority for the following concern
ing the probable attitude OF the ad-
ministration as relates to the annex
alton Of Cuba:
Annexation OF Cuba from h~encefor-
ward will be the policy of the admin
istration. By the statement is not
meant the forcible annexation. In
that direction the executive branch
Of the government could do little.
But voluntary annexation "a be en-
couragcd in many ways. The adj
ministration will extend such encour-
agement from this time.
The president is strongly imbued
with the feeling that it is best for
Cuba and best for the United States
that the island shall become part OF
this nation. That feeling will show
itself in n policy which will makeeasy
the annexation. No inconsistency.
no bad faith is involved in this pol
icy. The occupation of Cuba has
about reached Il parting Of the ways.
From now on it is possible for the
president to take one of two ways
regarding the wards of the American
government. He may so shape the
conduct ri the military Occupationa as
Ia practically serve notice upon the
Cubans that il il the intention of the
government to cut loose from the isl
and at the earliest possible date.
There will be daily opportunities to
make the Cubans feel that they must
stand alone very soon. On the other
hand, the president may show his
purpose not to hasten the end Of the
military occupation. He can do this
on the natural and praise worthy
ground of desire to educate the Gu
bans thoroughly in American meth
DDS Of government and Of public al
fairs. The advantage to the Cubans
Is together on the side of aprolonged,
rather than on that of brief occupa-
ton. And heslowerevolution means
steady growth of annexation senti-
ment. The latter course il the one
which the president will follow. and
with it he will encourage the idea Of
annexation, convinced that such a
result will be the best solution.
Cuba will be annexed by the con-
sent of the Cuhans. OF the growth
OF this inclination on the island the
administration has received most
convincing evidence of late. The Gu
bans will vote upon the question,
and they will decide that they do not
want the United States to withdraw
the protection now existing.
There are reasons why it should be
known as soon as possible that the
administration will favor voluntary
annexation. Much capital il going
to Cubn. Many Americans are set
Ting there. The flow of money and
the tide Of immigration will increase
Co far greater proportions when it is
realized that the policy is annexa-
| finn Fran tha mnrn To- tnllirnnt mud
from the prOpcrty-holding Cubans
the appeals are coming that the adj
ministratiOn shall declare a policy
favorable to annexation. These pc
titioners say that such II declaration
Is necessary. The p%acification Of the
island is accomplished. The rehabil.
itation is progressing. II only it can
be understood that Cuba is to have
the opportunity to become n part oI
the United States, these Cubans say
the restoration of prosperity will bt
much more rapid.
, The object lesson in what Ameri
! canism OF Cuba means has been tried
: Just three months, but 1t has made 9
wonderful impression upon the resi-
dents OF the islands. 1t has proven
: that the tariff duties can becutdowI
! 90 per cent and that there will still bt
/ enough revenue to administer tn,
government and to conduct public