The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-09-25
CUBAN POLITICS.

Cuban politics is an interesting study
! are preparing to outline their status. So
far there has appeared no evidence of
incapacity in the direction OF String up
heat, and the two parties, the National
lists and the Annexationists, are charging
each other with all sorts of improper con-
duct.
1t is not exactly clear why there should
be an annexationist party among people
so largely in favor of absolute indepen-
dence, and who have been promised that
condition if they should decide that they
want it. It might be excused on the
necessity of having some sort of con-
test in the constitutional election, but
judging from the amount Of i'll feeling
engendered, it is not much of a joke.
There appear to be a few prominent
Cubans who are really in earnest in this
advocacy Of annexatio of the island to
the United States and it is charged that
they are receiving support from this
country in the way of political manage
ment, and that with the help of the lat
ter they have been able to score advant-
ages here and there over the more num-
erous but less skillfully organized Nation
alists. In the province of Santiago, par
ticularly, sharp practice has been laid
at the door Of the Annexationists. They
have taken advantage of the color preju-
dice to induce hundreds Of avowed Ma
tionalists to vote for a white mans
government regardless of the other is
sues. This result was brought about by
inducing negro Nationalist to nominate
candidates of their own color, it beng
CORRECTLY guessed that the proud whites
would refuse to vote for negroes under
any circumstances. Thus some Annex
ationist delegates were elected in Santi-
ago by Nationalist votes, and the latter
are boiling over with wrath at what they
consider a shameless trick. Representa-
tiyes of the United States are blamed.
because ordinarily the negroes would not
have been able to organize and perfect
the scheme. They would have lacked
the moral support esential to carrying
on their campaign had they not been
prompted by influential whites, and 1t Is
rather freely charged that certain in
terests in the United States furnished the
money and brains which the negroes
lacked.
There is no particular reason why the
Cubans should be shocked in noting dis
honorable politics, for they have seen
the species in season and out for many
years under Spain. The most malodorous
practices have been held under their very
noses, so to speak and they must be
aware Of the possibilities of a campaign
But if the Cubans are not surprised,
they have some excuse for being indig-
nant. supposing the existence Of new
born national pride in their own re-
sources and responsibility. Where an
older country-older in autonomy and ini-
tiative-would accept instances Of poll
tical moral weakness as a matter of
course, Cuba, DESTROYS of Independence
and anxious to demonstrate it's fitness
therefore, may be unduly sensitive and
inclined to magnify the force and effect
of the shady politics resorted to at the
start.
But it will be great deal easier to
look at it in this light after it shall
have been demonstrated that the charge
of corrupt influence from this country
Is not well founded. It would be unfort-
nate if there has been meddling in the
constitutional election by interests in the
| United States which would profit largely
from annexation. That such interests
have been organized with Headquarters
in New York is not much of q secret. but