The Afro-American advance., 1900-11-03
The Spanish War, Cuba
Porto Rico and the
Philippines.
CUBA.

War. and to our colonial possessions
are briefly these Early in 1893, war
was declared against Spain by the Unit
ed States. with the ayowed purpose OF
giving independence to Cuba. In or
der that there might be no question
raised as to the motive oil the United
States, Congress declared by resolution
that 'the people OF Cuba are, and of
right ought to be, free and indepen-
dent, and the President used, in his
message OF April II. 1896, those words
which in themselves pledged the honor
oi this nation, that our war with Spain
should not be a war OF forcible annex
alton The often quoted words from
his message to Congress are as fol-
lows:
II speak not OF forcible annexation.
for that cannot be thought OF. That, by
our code OF morals would be criminal
aggression. ."-(From message OF Pres
ident Mckinley to Congress. April H.,
1889
The Spanish colonies which have
come into the possession, permanent or
otherwise. of the United States, are
Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines
Cuba lies near u.s. and II any territory
should be annexed to the United States
for any reason. il should be Cuba or
Porto Rico, or both. Speaking OF these
territorial possessions separately. we
will first consider Cuba. Bound down
by its pledges to Cuba. this administra-
tion has not dared thus far to openly
avow its purpose ol retaining Cuba as
colonial possession OF the United States
1t IS nevertheless true that one OF the
most prominent speakers OF the Repub-
lican party in this campaign. Senator
Beveridge Of Indiana. in his recent
s.eeches during this present month i'll
Chicago and in Minneapolis. has open
ly ayowed his belief that Cuba should
be retained. The administration has
held Cuba during the two years since
il came into our possession; and there
is serious doubt of the sincerity oi the
! purpose OF the administration 10 carry
into efec, the sacred promise OF the
ration to surrender to Cuba control Of
/ It's own destiny.
PORTO RICO.
The conditions in Porto Rico differ
from those in the Philippines. Porto
Rico IS near TO the United States, and
| It's people welcomed our troops; and
so far az can now bc learned at the be
ginning the Porto Ricans favored an
nexatlon to- the United States.
The administration has. however, not
withaanding the Presidents statement
in a message 10 Congress that il was
our plain duty 10 treat the Porto Ri
cans as We would treat other parts OF
our territory. imposed a tariff rpon the
| Porte Ricans. treating them as subjects
instead OF giving TO them the rights OF
citizens.
During some months Of the past sum
nner. verv serious question threstened
to divide the supporters oi the admin
isirstiop. as many prominent members
OF Congress. senator's and representa-
tiscs. opposed this policy Of the ad-
| ministrztion which gives a double char
acter to our nations government
namely. at home a republic. and abroad
an empire
| THE PHILIPPINES
In the Philippines. no defense can bs
| made for The administration. Early ~
1863. Admiral Dewey was sent 10 iaks
possession OF the Bay oi Manila, to De
siroy the Spanish fleet. aud u possible
20 take possession Of the ehiei city o
the Philippines. Mania in the eouFs,
OF our operations in the island Of Ln
zor tthc cfsIei island of the PhllipPn'
1 Archspelagol. the representatives q ou
! aovefnrrenf at Singapore and Hon
Kong, acting in eoucert with Admlfa
! Dewey, invited General Aguinaldo u
return TO Luzon and take command o