The sun., 1901-11-29
CUBAN ANNEXATION.

Sentiment among Cubans about the
future and permanent government of
their islands, seems to be changing.
Only short time ago there were re
ports Of excitement in Cuba over tn.
possibility of not realizing the dream Of
Cuban reyolutionists in the setting mp OF
an independent goyernment-the estaa-
Ishment as We understand il OF Cuban
Republic; and il was even limited thar a
revolt was probable unless the United
States troops were recalled very quickly.
All that seems to have subsldd and now
the Cuban aunexationist is 70 the fore
with considerable emphasis. Coincidcnt
with this apparent change of Cuban SEN
timent, opposition TO annexation has been
aroused in this country. 1t is notable
that the argument in opposition 10 annex
alton is purely sentimental. We mean
TO say by this, that the power Of the
argument against annexation, is not in
commercial statistics; they seem TO fl.
yor annexation rather than otherwise.
udl - 10 say duutNttluu MOuIu SpINe
many perpleXing questions which appear
in the perspective OF a Cuban govern
mental experiment. The RECOMMENDATION
sentiment among Americans takes the
character Of obligation 70 the Cuban As
a prospective "Amerieano" 4 self
righteous sentiment that assumes the
superiority Of the American over the
men OF all other nationsl. les, and there
fore concludes that the superior Ameri-
can would be compelled 10 surrender some
OF his superiority, and share its peculiar
privileges with the Cubans. The fact is
the opposition 70 annexation is using ex-
actly the same argument against Cuban
annexation that the Democrats have used
and are using, against admitting the
negro 10 full enjoyment Of citizenship in
the States and in the nation Thus We
have the New York Tribune saying.
Theodore Parker used TO say that true
democracy required man TO say not
that he WAS as good as any one else,
but that any one else was as good as he
We shall do Well TO bear that principle
in mind when considering annexation
proposals. Admission of Cuba into this
Union would mean not only that this
nation was to govern Cuba. but also that
Cuba was 10 take part in governing This
nation, Ii would mean that Cuba would
have a voice in making laws for New
York and New England and the Soutt
perhaps, in some close division, a decid
ing Voice. SO that in the graveSt affair
this whole nation might be governed an,
its destiny he decided by Senators an,
Representatives. from Cuba. That, W,
are convinced. is something the oeopl
Of the United States will never perni
and will never make possible
II is plain that the Tribuue's difficult.
in this matter is not that the Jntct
States could not or would not properl,
govern Cuba, but is lis unwillinspes
70 be in any way-any little way-sub
ject % Cuban governmental influence
and ii expressing that unwilingncSs i
makes All application Of Theodore Park
er's remark ..anut thu requirement 8
true democracy. contrary 10 his use an,
understanding Of IL Parker did not il
our opinion. use the statement ascrib4,
70 hin A disclosing .ault ii true b.
mocracy; but IS describing an essentia
ana characteristic fact Of its compost
tioI-a aotins Or the principle in rru,
democracy. that allies il with christian
ity. Parser was describing the democ
rscy = tA- Declaration q Independence
and = lie Golden Rule The Tribune
ilea NJ democracy relative 10 Cuban In
nexa..ou. i he democracy o. the Decia
ration q Independence and the sIonro
Doctrine. Il tells Cuba that il may b
free ..4r The people u the United States
but not u them.