Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-04-03
CUBA To==BE.oURS.
ANNEXATION SENTIMENT Is .DEyEL-
oPING RAPIDLY.
UNCLE SAM CANNOT WITHDRAW
DEMOCRATS WHO VISIT CUBA REACH
THIS CONCLUsI0N.-----.
Views of James Hamilton Lewis After
a Careful Study of the Situation
-Cuban People Themselves
VIII Appeal for An-'---
nexatiOn.

CHICAGO. April 2.-The Washington cor
respondent of the Inter-ocean says:
The annexation of Cuba will be a leading
question before the next congress. Not only
the administration, but members OF con-
gress are studying the future relations OF
Cuba to the United States. and those who
have visited Cuba since congress adjourned
can see no other future than annexation.
This view is not confined to any one politi-
cal party but is shared by Republicans and
Democrats alike. They agree with the
president that 'forcibe annexation, by our
code of morality, would be criminal as-
gression." They also agree that the ad-
minstration and congress will be brought
to the question of annexation because II
is the only way out Of the present condition
of military occupation.
Republicans who have been in Cuba
studying the conditions have said frankly
to the president that, without regard to
sentiment, they did not believe he could
withdraw the military authority Of this
government from Cuba until the island had
been annexed and became territory OF the
United States.
Democrats who went to Cuba to fortify
themselves with facts to combat this view
and insist upon the recognition of a Cuban
government, have come home convinced
that annexation is the natural and logical
development of the present situation.
Representative James Hamilton Lewis, Of
Washington, who year ago contended for
the recognition of the so-called Cuban re-
public. has just returned from a trip
through Cuba, and he sees nothing but an
nexation as the outcome. Mr. Lewis was
one of the leaders Of the Democratic and
Populistic combination in the last congress,
and indulged In as much lofty sentiment
about the rights of the Cubans as any man
on that side of the house.
But after a careful study of the present
conditions In Cuba he does not believe that
the people of Cuba will be able to organize
and maintain a stable government of their
own, and that there will be no permanent
peace and prosperity in the island until il
is formally annexed to the United States.
Mr.. Lewis gives several reasons for his
change of opinion, after study of actual
conditions by personal visit to Cuba. The
Spaniards in the island are naturally preju-
diced against the Cubans. and being the
principal property holders, they fear con-
troll by the Cubans without any restraining
power. They will do nothing to revive the
business of the island while there is any
danger of the Cubans securing control OF
an. independent government. able to confis-
cate their property and drive them from
the island.
The Cubans are themselves divided into
-.
their natural disposition to intrigue anc
rebellion, they have begun fighting theil
old leader, Gomez. and there is little hope
for any one faction securing control with
out having the others resort to revolutions
sry methods to defeat 1t.
The white cubans have also drawn the
color line since the defeat of Spain, ant
have banded themselves together on tn,
one single proposition pd & fhat 5 no negro S snsI sI
government which is to be established.
The negroes We're among the best fight
ers in the Cuban army. and whites an, an
Spaniards but after the United States ha
expelled the Spanish army the white Gu
bans assume superiority over the negr'
The division OF whites and blacks pre-
eents a situation in itself serious enougl
to destroy all possibility OF cuban ni,, rspun
lie without the constant danger OF revolu
The negroes of Cuba were among tn
leaders in the revolution against Spain
and some of them commanded white me-
in the Cuban army. IT Is very dangerou
10 draw the color lire against such com
new revolution against any Cuban govern
ment which may be esta blished.e ana In
revolutionists would draw TO them .othe
Cubans disappointed by the success oI d
Cuba as a republic would go through tn
same. s Wifh IhG repoe
ton every three months and a continue
state of war and revolution. The proxin
ity of the island to the United States an
the trouble its revolutionary condition ha
already given this country, costing II
foreign war. make II Impossible Tor TN
government to take its hands off the islam
without assurance of peace. stability an
prosperity. That assurance Mr.. Lewis doe
not believe can be given TO the Unite
States.
The Cuban assembly has begun the ne
revolution and civil strife by deposing Gei
md
have demanded the dissolution OF the a
sembly- Both sides are appealing TO u
United States for help, and this govern
ment will have to keep control, because
let go means civil war.
Mr.. Lewis went to see Gomez and had
interview with him. He says. that the o
ment. and realizes that he Will never
president of Cuban republic. He Is doll
what he can to assist General BrSoHe e.
fusion. He would not discuss anneXauo
for he would be misunderstood did
countenance such proposition at tn
time. but he admitted that he could n
see how the United States. could withdra
from the island without leaving anarcl
behind.
Mr. Lewis has not a very high opini'
of the Cuban assembly. He thinks that
was encouraged to reject the proposition
Cuban soldiers and disband them, by
NJ Coen who represented a New Yo
syndicate which desired to float Cubs
to interest the administration in the prop
eition of the syndicate and secure I
pledge of this government to become I
eponsibie for the proposed CUBAN bonds
Secretary Hay gave the administrators
answer to this proposition yesterday, VIII
the two delegates from the Cuban assent
called upon him. The administration wou
not consider any proposition looking TO t
Endorsement of Cuban bonds. Mr.. Lev
says that IL was the hope held out by
Coen TO the assembly which led the {
sembly to take position against the pa
ment of the $3.000.000 appropriated by &C
gress for the payment of the Cuban arm
The scheme has been knocked In the he
by the refusal of the president to give
any countenance, but such schemes "
continue and Cuba will become mt
dangerous place for bond schemes TO
fraud our own people.
Having gone to Cuba with sentimen
idea, that We ought to withdraw our arr
and allow the Cubans to organize a repl
lie, Mr.. Lewis. after studying the conditiC
in Cuba at close range. meeting the peo
and discussing their affairs with them.
turns convinced that the United Sta
must keep its hand on the island and &
it a stable government until the peo
there unite in asking for annexation.
He believes that General Brooke v
soon restore order and prosperity, and Il
the people OF each faction prefer to HI
the United States In control rather II
the onrosing faction.
He thinks that a much smaller army
der American officers even with nat
troops, will keep order there than un
n Cuban republic. He believes we can
list the Cubans, and that under Ameri
GRAIN-0 BRINGS RELIEF
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