The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-11
CUBANS FOR ANNEXATION.
views or SENIOR MUNOz AND THE
MARQUIS DE APEZTEGUIA.

| MARQUIS DE ABEZJHGUIA.
They Say the Island Ia Dependent on the
| United states for Protection from Exter-
nal Foes and 10 n Necessity to This Coun-
try Military and Naval Power.
WARRINGTON. Sept. 10.-The reports on the
commercial and industrial conditions Of Cuba.
| made In the early months OF the pres
| ent year by Special Commissioner Robert
| p. Porter. have been supplemented by
! an appendix Just issued by the Treas
| ury Department. This appendix 10 a pamphlet
| OF 300 pages containing copies Of all letters
received. testimony taken and statements SUBJ
mitted to the Comm ssioner from tho begin
ming to the completion Of his work. The testi-
mony. taken both in this country and in
Cuba. formed the basis for the framing OF
the tariff, and for the settlement of the cur
rency and other financial questions. In adj
dition to the testimony taken In regard
to proposed rates OF duty upon goods
entering Cuba. the volume contains many
interesting statements In relation to
currency, navigation. population and the sani-
tary conditions Of the island. Many Of the
statements give clear and concise picture OF
the economic condition OF Cuba prior to its oc-
cupation by the United States forces. The vol
, ume also contains brief re ports upon the sugar,
tobacco and mining industries Of the island,
with all the testimony taken in relation to
those leading industries.
In his letter OF transmittal to the Secretary
OF the Treasury. Mr.. Porter calls attention to
the statemen ts OF Adolfo Munoz. one OF the lost
thoughtful Cubans. he says. that he has ever
net. and to that OF the Marquis de Apezteguia
President Of the Conservative party. and one
OF the abest mon in Cuba. Senior Munoz in
his statement. in which he deals with the past
political and DOM me rca history OF tho island.
sums up the political status OF the island in
the following words:
"A new community. particularly small one.
after a long and destructive war, is always
surrounded by many dangers. both internal
and external. and the only safety Cuba may
find against them is close connection
with the United States which will afford
tho immediate protection OF the American
Government. Cuba left alone could not enjoy
high credit, either public or private; neither
could she build respectable navy which
her geographical position renders necessary.
In these. and in many other respects. Cuba
has to depend exclusively on the United
States"
Continuing Mr. Munoz SAYS
The liberty which. by the aid OF the United
States. Cuba has now conquered, will enable
her to frame an entirely new tariff. This
work. which must be done in accordance
with other financial laws. will provo
tho commercial relations between Cuba and
the United States are naturally beneficial
to both countries. Perhaps the best arrange
ment. both on commercial and political
grounds. would be to convert them into a
coastwise trade 80 that the productions
OF either countries should be admitted free Of
duty in the other provided that the question
OF the United States sugar industry could
be settled by means Of some compen-
T.,L.
be placed. in what respects Gust
ON duties. on the same footing as Porto Rico.
as it 10 necessary to save her sugar industry
from it's present depression and ruin"
Com missioner Porter thinks that annexation
10 here clearly marked out. though not actually
advocated A country without credit. It is
held. cannot start up the machinery
Of government. To make the trade
coastwse for Cuba. as the United States
have already done in the case OF Porto Rico.
means ultimate annexation. II. therefore. as
Mr.. Munoz says. Cuba expects to be placed
on the Same footing Porto Rico"
the inference is drawn that she expects
annexation. The Marquis de Apezteguia,
states as his opinion that Cuba has to be
American territory aud cannot be anything
else" and gives the following among other
arguments. to show its Importance to this
country:
In regard to the disposition Of Cuba, you
have it's geographical position. which makesit
Of Importance to the United States. II there ia
ANYTHING In geographical position which
makes 1t dependent upon the United States.
Key West is not an offensive position;
1t is simply defensive position
for the United States. because it commands the
defense OF the American coasts. The defense
Of your coast. with the Island Of Cuba. 10
trebled with the same number OF ves-
sells: as it is. $50 miles practically
make the Gulf an inland sea. outside
Of the possibility Of incursions from foreign
ers. Up to Cape Hatteras Cuba defends your
eastern coast. Therefore, as a military
nation and as naval power. Cuba
Is necessity: without Cuba you have
simply Key West, and Cuba is an excel
emit substitute for Key West. Having the naval
defence. which makes the United States non
attackable from Cape Hatteras to the Rio
Grande. with how much moro efficacy
aud without danger. you can move
your armies? Cuba 10 OF immense value
to the United States. and therefore from that
point OF view We will develop the others
Under the naval and military aspect in regard
to the concentration OF the army. we command
the Gulf OF Mexico as an inland sea OF the
United States. and We are tho principal factor
in the transoceanic traff.."
Tho Marquis de Apeztegua Is now in this
country. and in recent interview has come out
more boldly for annexation than in his state
ment submitted to Commissioner Porter.