Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-03-30
Cuba's DESTINY.

When Congress proclaimed to the world
that this nation was moved by considcra-
lions of humanity alone to intervene IN
behalf Of the Cubans, it stated The facts
in the case; but every intelligent Ame.t-
can knows that the situation has UNDER
gone a marked change since the close of
the war 50 far as our attitude toward the
island is concerned. 1t has been taken for
granted for some time that the problem
regarding Cuba's future would solve It.
self, and that the destiny of the island was
to become part of the United States
SO far as we have observed no American
newspaper has advocated the forci5le an
ncXation Of cuba to tho United States,
but the opinion has become general that in
Il comparatively short time the Cubans
tho mselves will appeal for annexation to
this country. The authorities at WASH
ihgton have plainly been proceeding upon
this assumption in their dealings with tho
Cuban people, and although no word ut
tered up TO the present time by the admin
istration has indicated any change OF pur-
pose as regards cuba, every one knows
what is expected to happen.
The nearest approach to an admission
on the part Of a representative of the adj
minlstration at Washington that Cuba
may become II part of the Umtod States
has been made by Congressman Cirosvenor
of Ohio, who has been credited with Icing
President McKinleys personal repres nta-
tive on the floor OF the House. In the
course of an interview on the subject he
said that it had been obvious to MIN for
some time that the people of cuba would
in a comparatively short time be a prac-
teal unit for annexation to the United
States, and he had never for one moment
doubted that the beautiful island would
continue under our control because the
Cubans themselves would wish and de-
mand it.
In speaking Of the benefits that will ac-
crue to the island and its people upon an
neXation Gen. Grosvenor said: "Oncc an
neXed to the United States, cuba would
be one of the most prosperous portions of
our great country. Her postal ana Gus
toms receipts since the evacuation Of the
Spanish show that she possesses all tho
material elements of prosperity, ana that
all the island needs is a good government
and an opportunity to develop itself She
will be as Independent as any OF our
States or Territories. American capital
v!ll he invested there her railroads, her
telegraph lines and the sanitary condi-
tons of her cities will be improved, and in
few years she will know a prosperity
that she now little dreams Of
The chances are that Cuba will never
enjoy complete domestic tranquility or
realize its fun possibilities Of Development
and progre until 1t becomes a part Of
the United States government. If we de-
sire to see what it would be like d an in
dependent power we have only TO tIrn to
Hayti. That island is subject to frequent
disturbances owing to the weakness Of its
government 1t Is within the zone OF in
fiuence of the Monroe doctrine, but the re-
cent demand Of Germany upon its govern
ment for reparation for an alleged injus-
tice to an alleged German resident which
was granted at the muzzlo of a war ships
guns, shows that even close proximity of
a weak island to our shores does not as