The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-07
OUR POLICY FOR THE SPANISH
POSSESSIONS.

x-Representative Lewis. of the State of
Washington, one Of the early and urgent
advocates of Cuban independence in the last
House, has recently returned from a visit
to Cuba in full faith that there is no hope
for the island except in annexation
to the United States. There can be no per-
manent improvement i'm Cuba, Mr.. Lewis
says, until the United States government
announces in the clearest manner its prime
purpose TO take and hold the island for all
time as part of the territory of this Re-
public. This" he continues, lis necessary
not only TO save the Cubans from unceasing
fractional strife and revolution, but for the
protection OF American interests as well.
The decent element in Havana. which is
largely Spanish, longs for the hour of an
nexation, for annexation alone will bring
permanent order and safety"
Such is the opinion of every candid investi-
gator who has been to Cuba and studied the
situation and the conditions, no matter what
his views on other subjects may be. The
inability of the people of Cuba at large to
maintain a stable and just government is
so apparent to those who go among them
that there can be but one opinion to
what must be done 10 insure peace and
security on the island. Doubtless this una
nimity regarding the conditions and the needs
of Cuba and its people will surprise but few
people in this country. A year ago the ma
jor1y had very erroneous impressions regard
ing the inhabitants of Cuba Correspondents
had been telling us for years of the patriot
ism and devotion of the insurgents, until
many intelligent people were convinced that
they possessed in a high degree all the quail
ties necessary 10 establish a model repub-
lie. Sensational newspapers denounced
William Mckinley as the tool of capital be-
cause he did not lead the unwise movement
to recognize the republic of Cuba a year
and a half ago. In pictures they repre-
scented crowds of insurgents on the shores
OF Cuba welcoming Americans with arms TO
free Cuba. We were told that all that was
needed was for the United States 10 recog-
nize the independence of the alleged repub-
lie and furnish arms and supplies, and the
insurgents would do the rest. 1t was with
the utmost difficulty when war was inevi-
table that recognition by the Senate of a
republic which did not exist was prevented
When the war was finally begun the people
in this country soon saw that little aid could
be expected from the insurgents Unless
anti-expansionists and those who are seek
ing a political issue shall raise objection, ii
is fair 10 assume that the thoughtful people
OF the United States see that annexation is
the only way by which conditions in Cuba
can be made any better than they were I'M
der Spanish rule.
Those who assent TO the annexation of
Cuba cannot consistently oppose the policy
hich the President has announced in regard
to the Philippines. Both are on our hands
as the result of the war with Spain. The
conditions in both were similar. They would
have been just the same II some ambitious
leader in Cuba had undertaken TO make
himself dictator. as has Aguinaldo In the
Philippines IL such a leader had opposed
our occupation or Cuba the United States
would have been under the same obligation