The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1899-07-20
The Cuban Problem.

reasons conceals his name, gives in
the July issue of the North Ameri-
can Review some serious reflections
on the logic of our position in that
island. The paper would carry
more weight, undoubtedly, If the
name of the author were given, but
as it is the statements challenge
attention.
The writer starts out with the
declaration that we want Cuba;
that large majority of our citizens
are in favor of adding that island
to our territory, and expect that in
some way this result will be ac-
complished; that its annexation
will be for its benefit, our benefit,
and that of the world at large. But
annexation can only come through
an affirmative vote Of the Cuban
people. The good will Of the Cuban
people must be obtained, but, he
maintains, that good will cannot be
secured through military occupa-
ton.
His own experience and obserya-
tion convince him that feeling of
irritation against us is growing up
and increasing each day that our
occupation continues. In the un-
settled state of affairs as to future
government, laws and conditions,
capitalists avoid the island as
though it were a pestilence. Every
day the irritation continues, and
every day votes for annexation are
lost.
If we hope for the eventual an
peXation of Cuba an early date for
the evacuotion of the island and
the redemption of our pledge to the
Cubans and to the world should be
fixed. The Specification" of the
island, the writer says, is now ac.
complished. City for city, he
claims, the towns of Cuba are more
peaceful and orderly than those of
the United States. "There never
was more docile, quiet people.
When the reorganization of the
army was being considered, last
December, the chiefs of our army
were almost unanimously of the
opinion that $4,000 men would be
required in Cuba. A present 10000
is the number fixed upon by the
government. These troops have
practically nothing to do. All re-
ports of bandits are zealously for
warded to the United States by
correspondents, and half of them
are lies. The country is as quiet,
as 'pacified,' as it ever has been or
ever will be. 1t is time for US to
'leave.'"
This United States officer in Cuba
says it is difficult for the average
American to understand fully the
nature of the irritation caused by
our military occupation. Our peo-
pie are an alien race, with methods
of thought, of speech, of action
different from theirs. We ride
roughshod over their prejudices
without knowing it. There appears
to be no limits set, by law or regu-
lation, to the authority of the mill
tary to interfere in the civil govern
ment, ana there is no way in which
we can tell how far this interfer.
ence takes place, in any town gar
risOned by troops.
A military government is declar-
ed to be at best n tyranny, and the
best military government is the
one which interferes least with
the autonomy of the civil govern
ment. Our military government in
Cuba as a means of better under
'SiotohbipE DCiWccl Iile tWU
peoples is pronounced a failure.
After pointing out in detail the
causes for misunderst anding and
the increasing evils of continued
military occupation, the writer
reaches the conclusion that we
are in false position in Cuba, the
outcome of which may result in
wounding our national pride. The
question is whether to drift or to
decide. To decide; to carry out
our promise at once; to take our
troops out of Cuba. leaving the peo-
pie to govern themselves until
such time as they may prefer an
nexation-that seems to him the
proper course. To drift means a
struggle with tremendous prob
lem under disheaI te ming condit,
ions; "trying to help the Cuban peo-
pie in the face of daily increasing
opposition, ingratitude, irritation,
suspicion"
The question of Cuba, he declares
overshadOws in gravity any other
question now confronting this coun-
ry. In view Of the serious prob
lens before us ia the Philippines