The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-25

gagged with gold to keep them silent, are
bringing the country within measurable
distance of the issue. 1t will be one born
Of their own greed and sin. Already they
have established in Cuba almost an i'm
passe against what lately seemed to be
the manifest destiny CT the country and
people When we occupied the island. IN
der a pledge by Congress that we would
hold 1t only in trast for the Cubans. It new
ertheless was a foregone conclusion that
the time would come when the intelligent
classes would ask for annexation.
1t has never been doubted by unpreju-
would be as inevitable as necessary to the
peace and public in; arests of the two COM
munities. This country could never afford
10 leave Cuba TO condition OF anarchy
which would end in sudden foreign oc-
cupation and absorption some cay. Neither
could 1t safely assume protectorate which
would involve responsibility for aggres-
sons and outrages without power 10 pre-
vent them Cuba, physically speaking. be-
longs to the continent; strategicaily
with Porto Rico. it is Americas first line
of defence en- the southeast. 1t can never
be negligible quantity in our political or
military policy. Partial sovereignty or
suzeraiuty over it would be as impracd-
cable as the protectorate over the Philip
pines favored by Messrs. Atkinson ana
Hoar. In the latter case we should De
assuming responsibility for the lives ana
property Of foreign representatives anu
residents in hundreds of islands. occupied
and dominated by Tagals, Igorrotes, MoTos'
Sulu Mohammedans. wild Malays. nait-
caste Cinnamon. and other tribes of saw
ages. head hunters, and cannibals. For
practical purposes, the protectoFate scheme
would not work in one-Place any more than
in another. 1t will never be tolerated by
upon legitimate, constitutional government.
with free trade and honest administration,
for our outlying territories with the alter
native of sale or abandonment. 1t Is to
this grave issue. which must be soon set
tied one way or the other. that the insin-
cerity and venality of the Administration,
and its contempt for our fundamental law.
has brought us.
Where is the foundation of the trouble
to be found? In the unpalatable fact that
not a solitary placeman, great or small,
has gone forth to seize his office and OPP
por.unities in the new possessions with
any higher or other idea Of duty than that
he has acquired from the concepts and
standards of Hannaism as held and APP
piled right here in Washington. He has
absorbed the precepts and yearned to en-
gage in the practices that make limited
number of persons rich and great among
their kind, through the jobbery OF lesisla-
tion in the interests Of trusts and monop-
olies. or through the medium of corrupt
and disgraceful collision with individuals
in authority in connection with contracts,
franchises, concessions. and the use OF the
public money. He has had the example OF
grand rascality set before him by his su-
periors. As rule he has gained his in
fluence with them in some way which
would not bear critical analysis. What
wonder is it that in Havana, or San Juan,
or Manila, he. should turn out to be a
bride taker. a smuggler, an embezzler, or
a thief Truly the fountain cannot rise
higher than its source!