The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-02-13
The Future of Cuba.

u yative busiress interests in
the island of Cuba are prac-
tically unanimous IN favor OF annexa-
tion believing that the conditions of
stable independence have not yet ap-
pearcd. and that to resort to that eX-
pcrinent would imperl the security of
business investments and handicap or
DERBY development of the islands re-
sources. yet these interests have taken
no practical steps to give their opin-
ions representation in the convention
which has been framing the proposed
republics fundamental charter The
merchants and planters, who constitute
the substantial element of the islands
population and pay a great majority
of all taxes contributed to the sup
port of the government, have abstained
from all participation In insular poll
tics, and have left the field free to the
revolutionary type of agitator and
place-hunter now in command.
Naturally these men view with
dread the constitution of aSovernment
in which power will be largely vested
in an irresponsible and non-produc-
ing class. but like many merchants
and business men in the United States,
they have not learned that the way
to prevent such contingency is to
get right down to practical politics
and out-votc It, They deserve no
sympathy IL their failure to receive
consideration is due to their failure to
demand it. 1t is familiar fact OF
everyday life that people get some
times less than they ask for, but very
rarely more. The patient ana retir-
ing citizen, who expects that in the
busy whirl of affairs somebody will
step aside and look after his particu-
lar interests, Will" he neglects them,
is indulgins in a vain hope and laying
up treasures OF disappointment
Sooner or later the property -owning
interests in cuba must awaken to
their responsibilities. When that time
comes they will recognize, and not
only recognize. bat act upon the
knowledge that their future prosper.
!iy Is intimately involved in the pros
p"rity OF the United States: that the
"id'N N''H WI iHcIl toDuCco ana sugar
trc 70 Re had mainly in the United
states. aud that the quickest and best
way ia 0S2ur" favorable access to
lhosc markets, and to encourage the
interchange pf trade which is at the
bottom Of all social progress is TO be-
come q part Of the United States.
Whether this win come before the
experiment of an Independent republic
has been put to trial or not, the
future only can determine, but the
very fact that everybody with any
Knowledge of the situation recognizes
that annexation is tho ultimate solu-
tion of III, whole problem establishes
strong practical reason why those
Nh" really want annexation and for
whom it is in the nature of economic
salvation should not fall into the
pu"rl!c habit Of hesitating to express
their opinion and to shape means
toward that end. This Is said not from
any spirit of greed to acquire Cuba,
but wholly from the standpoint of
'uba's own best interests, and it is
about time that the Cuban people who
know what Cuba'S real interests are
should develop the spirit of willing
ness 10 safeguard them, even at the
expense of incurrng temporary re-
sentiment from the schemers who are
plotting to exploit that rich island and
r"gel in the spoils of it's misgovern-
ment
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