The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-04-11

Cuban Annexation.
No honest American is or should be un-
mindful OF the pledge OF local independence
made 70 the people OF Cuba by the Con-
gross Of the United States. 1t binds the
nation in honor 20 leave the island to It's
inhabitants as soon as they have demon
strated their ability to establish and main
tain stable government. While this is
rue there is rot doubt that most patri-
otto Americans have nourished a 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 oHr COntinent- Its control is
highly important TO the scientific defence
Of our eastern coast. and Of the future Nj
caragua Canal. Beyond this there are
weighty reasons both military and COM
merciaI why the United States should ex-
ercisc paramount dominion in the Antilles.
On these accounts the growth OF an intel
IIgent sentiment in Cuba favorable 10 an
ncxation. has been watehed with close in
terest in this country. and until very re-
Gently the idea had been spread
ing that long before the Cub rs
possibly could prepare themselves
for native autonomy they would
be knocking at our doors for admission
with eagcrness. That. under reasonable
conditions. they would have done so IS
practically certain. That now they viii
DO so is TOO improbable to talk about. The
very classes who were ardent annexation
lists a few weeks ago are as bitterly anti
American as the Spaniards in the island
were in the days OF Weyler. Instead OF a
military occupation, shortly 10 be followed
by an American Territorial Government
formed at the wish and by the free con-
sent Of the resident population. we are
likely to see Cuba rent with revolution
against even our temporary rule
This lamentabIe change i'm the island
situation is the direct and logical conse-
quence Of the peridy displayed toward
Porto Rico by the Mckinley Administra-
ton. It is not surprising that the Cubaus
should reject the idea of coming under our
domination when they realize that their
ncighbors who have done so are treated as
subjects and not as citizens and are being
ground down under an oppression worse
than that Of Spain. In contemptuous viola
ton Of the national promise to them. Of
the Presidents declaration Of our "plaiu
duty" toward them. and in fiat defiance
Of the American Constitution, II we were
TO acquire Cuba. its thinking people be
Heve it would be regarded merely as
field FOR exploitation and loot by The trusts
and monop0lies. 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 IT'S huge sugar and to-
bacco production far more than they do
the latter. II Rockefeller Hayemcyer.
Hanna. and Mckinley can keep the Con-
stituton 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 tie
Pearl of the Antilles. 1t may be a general
tion or so hence, but il will happen. TIE
regrettabIe thing is that iJ can hardly be
thought of at present It would never &C
cur 10 the people Of Cuba TO ask for
Americ3nizstion as matters stand. and.
considering the infamous treatment We are
iuhictiIs or Porto Rico. it would b. a
deadly insult to suggest such a thing to
them.