Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-08-31
Cubans Seeking Annexation.

When the people of Cuba look at Hayti
ard sec that island the prey of successive
dictators and repeated revolutions and
consider the pcobabili that they would
soon be undergoing similar experiences if
they were to became IN indie pendent re-
public, 1t is not surprising that they should
hesitate to seize upon that Independence
for which they have been fighting so many
years now that it is almost within their
grasp. When they contrast that outlook
with the prospects of their island as pact
Of the United States, and realize that they
would thus be assured n stable form of
government, the freedom of our markets
and all the blessings and privileges OF
Ia an even greater extent than
would be possible if they had a CEN
trail government of ther own. they must
feel an irresistible influence drawing them
toward permanent union with this coun-
try.
Ever since the close Of the Spanish-Am-
erican war events in Cuba have been rap
idly as well as surely shaping themselves
with reference to the realization of the
manifest destiny of that island in aneXa-
ton to the United States. and while our
government has sought to faithfully OBJ
serve the implied promise guaranteeing
the integrity of Cuba in the event Of war
with Spain, that attitude has not served
to stem the current of public opinion
among the Cubans in favor of annexation.
The annexation sentiment which has
grown as a result of the boncncent work
of the American authorities throughout
the island since the close of the war with
Spain, has al last found expression in the
appointment of a delegation to visit tho
United States and present the islands
claim to our government: and this step
has undoubtedly been FASTENED by the ap-
proach of the time when our forces were
to be Withdrawn from the island. The
commission selected for this purpose con-
sists of two leading citizens of Cuba, An
tonic Gown Torres and Marcos Garcia
Ihe former was an autonomist of infu-
ence under the Spanish regime and the lat
ter was civil governor of Santa Clara.
These gentlemen have already started for
Washington and they will call upon Presi-
dent Mckinley rs soon as possible for the
purpose of discussing he future of their
island.
In this connection The change said to
have taken place in the attitude Of the
autOnomistS as "a whole Is worthy of spe-
cal note. Immediately after the close Of
the Spanish-Amercan war The autonomists
included many people who were extremely
bittar toward the United States, but now
a majority of them favor American con-
troll OF Cuba Their newspaper, FL Neuvo
Pals, which was demanding Independence
three months ago is now outspoken in fa-
vor of annexation to the United States.
and the general criticism Of all things Am
erican long prevalent in the Cuban IVess
has now almost entirely disappeared
When the people of Cuba knock at the
doors Of the United States there will be
but one answer for us to make and that
will be an invitation to come in. When
Congress spoke of the future of Cuba it
of course referred to forcible annexation.
and nothing vas said that would legally
or morally prevent us from granting theC
petition for union with this country.
When the Pearl of the Antilles becomes a
part of the United States, it will enter
upon that period of peace and prosperity
for which its people have longed for many
isfactory solution OF the Cuban problem.