The Saint Paul globe., 1899-04-22
CUBA,s FUTURE.

y PAS'es eONas'ss SSPSSie'iiy III VI
fetal circles, some really extraordinary
views regarding the future of Cuba.
Whether the recent war was con-
Quoted for the purpose of win
ming freedom for the Cuban peo-
pie or because of the destruction of the
Maine, it certainly never was thought
of, at least by the mass of the people
as war. of conquest. Yet most of the
references made as to the future of Cuba
seem to imply the continued ascendancy
OF Americans and American ideas in the
island. The Cubans are to be taught
English we are told. They are to have
puoHc schools. savings banks, improved
public highways. new system of laws
relating to personal and property rights,
improved sanitary appliances and water
and gas and electric works There must
be laws to promote the immigration of
laborers, and the tariff system to be
adopted must be one which will afford
actual annexation
Accepting these views, which are evil
IDENTIFY inspired from Washington, as cor
rect, one finds it difficult to understand
What. part, If any, the national prefer
ences of the Cuban people are to play in
settling the future of the country. Ger
tainly there is but little to Indicate that
any volition is to be exercised by the
Cubans as to what things are to be done
or how they are to be done 1t is our
civilization. our habits, our social, legal,
commercial and political systems which
are to prevail. The Cubans are to do
and avoid everything we tell them to do
or avoid and in the way we desire.
NO doubt all this would be to the ad-
vantage OF Cuba and the Cubans No
doubt they will be greatly Influenced
in any event by the wishes and example
OF the American people and their gov
ernment But how are all these results
10 De secured, or, indeed, why should
they be insisted on, if it is not our pur-
pose to take and keep the island as
part of our territory? That there is some
such plan brewing there can be but little
doubt That there will be a good stiff ef.
fort put forward through the Mckinley
administration to promote the annexa-
ton of Cuba is becoming very plain.
Supposing the Cubans should not want
annexation. Supposing that they did not
see the necessity, now or at all, for en-
barking in schemes of public Improvement
such as we are making for them. and
thought it more consistent with national
and individual happiness to do without
many Of those things which we are nrone
in our pride to regard as ''blessinps
"hat then! In the final and mutual
coming together Of Cuba and the United
States, says that poetic oracle and
henchman of the ADMINISTRATION. Robert
P. Porter, "the single star becomes not
less bright by reason Of association
or companionship with the other stars
together making a harmonious whole
and representing all that is best and most
hopeful for mankind" Just so! But
SuppoSlnS the single star just chooses to
twinkle all alone and separate from the
other stars, must it therefore stop twink
ling altogether?
Thls sort of fudge and false pretense
should be brought to a close. The des-
TIMES of the Cuban republic must rest
with the Cuban people, not with our peo-
pie or our politicians. Our duty toward
the island is simple. When we have re-
established peace and commerce in the
land and have given the Cuban people the
fullest opportunity to organize a repre-
sentative government of their own. what
ever form it takes, we should Just simply
pack up our effects and come back home
as quickly and as quietly as possible