The evening times., 1900-04-11
Cnhan Annexation.

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Cuban Annexation.
No honest American is or should be un-
mindful OF the pledge Of local independence
made to the people OF Cuba by the Con-
gress of the United States. 1t binds the
nation in honor TO leave the island to Its
inhabitants as soon as they have demon
strated their ability to establish and main
tain a stable government. While this is
true there is not doubt that most patri
otic Americans have nourished hope
that the Cubans would themselves see the
great advantage which would accrue to
them in placing their country permanent
, ly under the flag and sovereignty of the
Republic. and of becoming American citi-
zens. Every consideration of wise state
craft and destiny renders il desirable and
perhaps necessary that the United States
should acquire Cuba Physically speaking
it belongs to onr eDntinent Its control is
highly important to the scientific defence
of our eastern coast. and of the future Nj
caragua Canal. Beyond this there are
weghty reasons both military and com
mercial why the United States should ex-
ercise paramount dominion in the Antilles.
On these accounts the growth OF an intel
ligent sentiment in Cuba. favorable to an
neXation. has been watched with close in
terest in this country. and until very re-
Gently the idea had been spread
ing that, long before the Cubans
possibly could prepare themselves
for native autonomy, they would
b. knocking at our doors for admission
with eagerness. That. under reasonable
conditions. they would have done so is
practically certain. That now they will
DO so is too improbable TO talk about. The
very classes who were ardent annexation
lists few weeks ago are as bitterly anti
American rs the Spaniards in the island
were in the days OF Weyler. Instead of
military occupation. shortly to be followed
by an American Territorial Government
formed at the wish and by jhe free con-
sent OF ;he resident population. we are
likely to see Cuba rent with revolution
against even our temporary rule.
This lamentable change in the island
situation is the direct and logical conse-
NLtAl't tA ti4f- PEI AlNe Us play tA Wv III u
Porto Rico by the Mckinley Administra-
tion. It is not surprising that the Cubans
should reject the idea Of coming under our
domination when they realize that their
ncighbors who have done 50 are treated as
subjects and not as citizens and are being
ground down under an oppression worse
than that OF Spain. in coutemptuous viola
tion Of the national promise to them. Of
the Presidents declaration of our plain
duty toward them. and in lat defiance
Of the American Constitution II we were
TO acquire Cuba. its thinking people be
lieve it would he regarded merely as
field for exploitation and loot by the trusts
and mCnopol.es: and they are right sup
posing the Republican party to remain IN
power. II that were possible. Cuba, as
an American possession would fare worse
than Porto Rico; for the trusts fear the
former island with its huge sugar and to-
bacco production far more than they do
the latter. If Rockefeller. Havemeyer.
Hanna and Mckinley can keep the Con-
stitution out Of Porto Rico no one need
think that they would let it touch the edge
of Cuba.
Yet the day must come when circum-
stances will compel annexation of the
Pearl OF the Antilles. 1t may be a genera
tion or so hence, but it will happen. TIE
regrettable thing Is that ii can hardly be
thought OF at present 1t would never &C.
cur 10 the people Of Cuba to ask for
Americanizstion as matters stand, and.
considering the infamous treatment We are
infictiLg on Porto Rico. it would BE-
deadly insult to suggest such thing TO
thom.