Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-04-08
President Convinced That It Will
Be Best for the Island and for
the United States,
cUBANS THEMSELVES FAVOR IT
Large Majority Of Property Holders
Said 10 he Ardent Annexa.
tionists--To Vote on the
Proposition.

oDchNN"''
Annexation of Cuba is forcshadowed.
Henceforth il will be the policy of the
administration, BY the statement is
not meant forcible annexation. In
that direction the executive branch of
the government could do little. But
voluntary annexation can be encour-
aged in many ways. The administra-
ton will extend such encouragement
from This time.
The president comes back from
Thomasville and Jekyl island strongly
imbued with the feeling that it IS best
for Cuba and pest for the United
States that the island shall become
part of this nation. That feeling will
show itself in n policy which will make
easy the annexation. No incon-
sistency, no bad faith is involved in
this policy. The occupation Of Cuba
has about reached a parting Of the
ways. From now on il is possible for
the president TO take IN of two
courses regarding the wards Of the
American government. He may so
shape the conduct Of the military oc-
cupation as to practically serve notice
upon the Cubans that ii is the inten-
ton of this government to cut loose
from the island at the earliest possible
date. There will be daily opportuni-
ties 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. lie can do
this on the natural and praiseworthy
ground of desire to educate the CubanS
thoroughly in American methods of
government and of public affairs. h
advantage to the Cubans is altogether
on the side Of a prolonged, rather than
on that of brief, occupation. And the
slower evolution means steady growth
of annexation sentiment. The latter
course is the one which the president
will follow. and with il he will cncour'
age the idea of annexation, convinced
that such a result will be the best So
luton.
No formal announcement of this
policy may be expected at present.
Perhaps the president will not declare
his views in words until the time
comes TO send his message 10 the new
congress-. But the country and Cuba
and the world will be informed by
acts that, in the opinion of the admin
istration, annexation will be the out-
come Of the present occupation.
Among the presidents friends and adj
visers there is now no doubt that Cuba
is to be annexed. The expression of
this sentiment is given without quali-
fication. 1t is the most significant
thing i'm connection with the presi-
dents homecoming.
Cuba will he annexed by the CON
sent of the Cubans. OF the growth OF
this inclination on the island the adj
ministration has received most con-
vincing evidence of late. The Cubans
will vote upon the question and they
will decide that they do not want the
States to withdraw the protec-
ton now existing.
There are reasons why il should be
known as soon as possible that the ad-
ministration will favor voluntary am
nexation. Much capital is going to
Cuba. Many Americans are settling
there. The flow of money and the tide
of immigration will increase to far
greater proportions when it is realized
that the policy is annexation. From
the more intelligent and from the
property = holding Cubans appeals
are coming that the administration
shall declare a policy favorable to an
neXation. These petitioners say that
such n declaration is necessary. The
p%acification of the island is accom-
plished. The rehabilitation is progress
ing. If only it can he understood that
Cuba is to have the opportunity to be-
come part of the United States, these
Cubans say the restoration OF pros
perity will be much more rapid.
The object lesson in what American
of Cuba means has been short
three months with the end OF
this week. But it has made n wonder
full impression upon the residents OF
the island. 1t has proven that the
tariff duties can be cut down GO per
cent and that there will still be enough
revenue to administer the government
and to conduct public improvements
on n scale never attained under Span
administration. Spanish officials,
carpet-baggers from Spain, stole &c.
900, 900 Il year from the public reven-
,Ies at Havana. That they can have a
government than they ever
and yet not pay half as much
for il. the CubanS nov know. Not only
i'm Havana and Santiago, but in some
of Cuba, the good results OF
American ideas begin 10 he impressive
the natives.
Cuba has never had a census taken,
except according TO slipshod Spanish
methods. The United States will at
the proper time, probably during the
fall, conduct Il census. Native
Cubans will be the enumeratorS. h":
heir work will be directed and super
vised by Americans. On this census
will be based an enrolment of voters
preparatory 10 Cuba's first election.
What shall be the qualifications for
is vet to be determined, but
Universal suffrage is not favored.
Property or educational qualifications.
Or both. max be established. This is
what the American commissioners
nave provided in the plan for the gov
of Hawaii. Conditions in
'uba are much the same. If the fran
,hise is limited by property or by edu-
qualifications in Cuba the re-
suit of II vote on the question of an
leXation can be forecasted with abso-
ute certainty now. There is no doubt
where the prospective voters possess
ng such qualifications stand.
IL may need TO be reiterated that CO.
ercion has no place in the adminiStro-
ions annexation policy. But in all
legitimate ways, from this time for
ward, the idea of ultimate organic
union of Cuba to the United States
will be fostered by the executive.
So much as to policy may be taken
az settled.