Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1899-08-17
EVACUATE CUBA.
Inc Ratification of Cuba is Now
Accomplished,
SAYS AN ARMY OFFICER.
ING Towns ana Cities Of Cuba are \, W
More feaceful and Orderly Than
Those of the United States,

1.-The Logic Of Our Position in Cuba" 8
discussed in the North American Review
ior July by IAN officer of the army Of
occupatio -" who .sunes that the an
neXatlon of the island to the United states
is desired by a large majority of our citi-
zens, but that such a result can only be
brought about through an affirmative
vote OF the Cuban people.
According to this writer, we are not
making any distinct progress in obtaining
the goodwill OF the Cuban people. The
military occupation, he says, has caused
feeling of irritation to be developed and
this irritation increases every day. every
day votes for annexation are LOST"
''lf we hope for the eventual annexa-
ton OF Cuba, we should at once fix an
early date for our withdrawal from the
island and for the redemption of our
pledge to the Cubans and 10 the world. Ii
necessary, we can ask the Cubans for
their opinion about annexation before we
go. But whether we do or not, we will
then withdraw with honor; and we shall
leave in the hearts Of the Cubans a sense
OF obligation that, added to community
Of interests. should some day bring about
the union"
Quoting from the disclaimer made by
congress at the beginning Of the war with
Spain OF any intention to exercise SOW.
ereignty over the islands, except for the.
purpose Of paci6cation, the w.iter de-
clares that the "pacification" OF Cuba is
now accomplished.
City 70, city, the towns OF Cuba are
more peaceful and orderly than those Of
the United States. There never was a
more docile, quiet people. When the re-
organization Of the army was being con-
sidered, last December, the chiefs Of our
army were almost unanimously Of the
opinion that so 900 men would be required
in Cuba. At present 10000 is tn. num-
Der fixed upon by the government. These
troops have practically nothing to do. All
reports of bandits are zealously for
warded to the United States by corre-
spondents, and half OF them are lies.
The country is as quiet, as 'pac:fied' as it
ever has been or ever will be. The
'pacification' has been accomplished
1t is time for us to leave
While admitting that the army OF occu-
patton has succeeded in restoring order,
this officer declares that our military gov.
ernment in Cuba as means OF rap
prochement between the two peoples is a
failure. He concludes that we now have
the choice OF two altcrnatves-tO drift or
to decide.
"To decide to carry out our promise
at once; to take our troops out OF Cuba,
leaving the people to govern themselves
until such time as they may prefer an
nexation-that seems TO be our proper
course.
"To drift means struggle with trc-
mendous problem under disheartening
conditions trying to help this people in
the face of daily increasing opposition, in
gratitude, irritation, suspicion. 1t means.
rostponement OF the settlement OF prob
lens connected With the material pros
perity of the islands 1t means failure
to fulfill solemn pledge.
"Judging from what we know OF the
ease with which revolutions are gotten
up in Spanlsh-American countries, to
drift NAV mean eventually revolt.
"And no matter how large or how
small "A revolt against MS in Cuba might
he (it often happens that the smallest
bands are the most difficult to deal WITH,
no glory would be ours in qnelllng it,
whether we lost in the struggle tens or
thousands or, like the Spaniards, tens OF
thousands of men. And it will be time
fnss '01 For ;%S the Spanish viii to lave
made good their claim that the war OF
1898 was one OF pure aggression, inspired
I,,ot for korritOrv ~