The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-04-16

IN order 10 OBTAIN the opinion OIL
number Of eminent Americans on the
disposition of Cuba the following ques-
lions were propounded TO them:
l. What do you think Of the alleged
purpose of continuing the military &C.
cupation Of Cuba until the Cubans in
despair ask for annexation?
. Is annexation desired by the Amer
lean people? Or by the Cubans?
g. Should the Cubans be permitted to
enjoy recognized independence before
the question of annexation is agitated ?
4. When and how should Cuba be
evacuated?
GENERAL BUTLER SPEAKS.
General NJ. c. Butler Of South Caro-
lima. who was a member of the evacua-
ton commission, and who is thoroughly
informed ON Cuban affairs, writes as
follows:
IN regard TO the allegation that it is
propoeed 10 continue the military occu-
pation of Cuba until in despair the Gu
bans ask for annexation, vail say L
was not aware that such an 'alleSa-
ton had been made, and that SO lar as
my information goes there Is no 1ouil-
dalton TO it,
NV understanding is. the United
States forces are there with the con-
sent and appreciation of the Cubans, TO
aid them in the preservation OF pubic
order. and the establishment OIL a
stable and durable government and
tor other purposes.
As to whether annexation IS desired
by the American people or the Cupails,
there is no basis upon when an llLel-
ligenr answer can be formulated. Inc
American people have mad no oppof-
unity to express an opinion on the SUD-
ject. NV individual opinion is that When
thoroughly informed, they would desire
the annexation of the island, in an on
DERBY. legal manner. 1t would make one
or two Of the WealthieSt and most pros
porous states OF the American UnoIl.
Whether the Cubans desire annexation
it is equally difficult TO give sallsIac-
tory answer.
There are three classes to be recon-
ciled on this or any other proposition
relating TO the future of the Island.
They are: First, the large property
owners, professional, business and man
ufacturing classes, embracing Cubans
and Spaniards. Second, what might be
termed the middle classes, embracing
small farmers and manufacturers, and,
third, the laboring classes.
These may again be Sub-dlElded INTO
the practical and sentimental classes
IF the decision of the question is left
to the first, my judgment is annexation
would prevail w netner unlS class Cdil
influence the others for annexation, IT
is lust now impossible to say. As rule,
they may be depended on to do 50, and
believe when the obligations and re-
.sDonsibilitiets of Il small, independent
nation are fully realized, these Will pre-
fer, and seek, an alliance with the Unit
ed States.
After we compelled Spain to relin-
uuish her sovereignty, we are pledged
to permit the Cubans to establish such
a government as they see ft-the Unit
ed States authorities determining
whether the government thus estab-
lished is of stable and durable charac-
ter 1 assume it must be republican
in form.
IF the Cubans set up such a govern
ment as can, and will. be recognized
bv the nations of the earth, ours
among the number, they ought to be
permitted to enjoy their independence.
as long as they choose, and are able
to do so. I do not believe, however,
that any government ought to be pr
mitted that is likely TO involve ms
government in trouble with foreign
nations. or imDeril the saCety and vel
fare of our own 2eople.
Il take it for granted our troops VIII
evacuate the island, when our pledges
and obligations have been carried out
by simply Withdrawing them TO our
own shores. The time for evacuation
will depend on the Cubans themselves.
When they have demonstrated their
ability for government, and to
manage their own affairs in an orderly,
enlightened manner, our troops should
be withdrawn. NJ. c. BUTLER"