Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-01
.cUBANS OPPOSED TO ANNExA-
TION.

But week or so ago. the Washing
ton Post had correspondence aud edl-
torials Insisting that all the mcneyed.
intelligent and respectable Inhabitants
of Cuba, Spanish and Cuban, were ca
ger for the annexation Of the Island to
the United States, or remain in Erovin-
thority. 1t was said that without some
strong hand to rula the people. disor-
der and violence would prevail, life and
property would not be safe, brlgandagc
would be rife, and consequently all the
better classes in the island were OPP,
posed to an independent Republic which
ould be sure to fall into the hands of
the DULLES and ruffians of the so-called
Cuban army and its lawless followers.
In the washington Post of few days
since appeared an interview with an
Intelligent New Yorker at Chamber
Inns, who had recently visited Cuba.
which is reported as follows by the
Post:
1.-TWO weeks ago was in Havana.
said Mr.. r.. j. Spicer, of New York. al
Chamberlin's land l thought I'd do a
little Investigating on my own account
as to the sentiment Of the people re-
Gardlng Americans and American oc-
cupation of the Island.
After talks with all sorts and con-
ditions of men formed the opinion
that q vast majority of the citizens Of
Havana dislike us heartily, and that
the disappearance of the United States
nag Will be to them an hour Of almost
universal rejoicing. / will hazard any
reasonable amount OF money that my
statement is in accord with the facts.
We are looked upon as aliens and in
truders, and our presence down there
Is getting more hateful to the Cubans
every day They have nothing i'll SYM
pathy with us, there nre no common
ties, no similarity of customs, or relig-
ion. We are distinct races, and these
radical differences will continue perma-
nently.
From no source did / hear any eX-
preston of a desire for annexation, and
the annexation sentiment. If it does ex-
ist Is confined TO very small minor
lily. The Cubans are willing TO accord
us thanks for running out the Span
iards, but they are eternally opposed
to being absorbed by this country. Even
| the improvements we have made for
| them in sanitary and other matters are
| obnoxious if they imply that our oc-
cupatIon Is going to be prolonged"
All the, authentic facts corroborate
what Mr.. Spicer says; and all the real
~ representative Cubana, civil and
military, with all private citizens of
note or standing, while they may not
express the animosity to us attributed
to them by Mr. Splcer. certainly con-
cur In wanting their country for them
selves and ihdir own government,
with no subordination to the United
States any more than to Spain, or any
other power. If the Cubnns have in
Hariably exhibited Il steady aspiration
for liberty they have uniformly shown
also that they want 1t in independence;
and if> there is on the island n strong
and growing suspicion, apprehension
and dislike OF us and our government,
1t is because they have grounds, in our
conduct towards them, to Gistrust our
good faith and our intention to hold
them for our own ends. with precious
little care for their freedom and pros
perlty.
Why should they not suspect n gov
crnment and n people that seem them
selves the thralls Of an unscrupulous
money-power that makes everything
secondary to Its own bchoof? The pow
| ers that be jeer and scott ut the Dec
| laratio of Independence and the Fed
crnl Constitution; they repudlate all
American principles profession ana
traditions; and there is no public nor
private faith that they recognize as n
restraint to their ruthless lust for pclf
and power Home apostates and do
mcstic traitors. why shall they he ex-
pected to act honorably and honestly
abroad, but by compulsion?
WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?