The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-11
CUBAN INDEPENDENCE OR ANNEX
ALTON.

may develop situation in Cuba which will
subject the United States to a severe temp
tation between honor and duty on the one
hand and national expansion on the other.
If the annexation feeling IN Cuba continues
10 grow much longer as it has during the
last few months 1t will furnish a plea FOR
recognition that will require a strong exer
else OF principle on the part of the United
States to resist. At present this govern
ment is placed in the strange and unparai-
leled position of refusing to annex valuable
territory which IL has conquered because
of voluntary and self-imposed pledge to
the contrary, Notwithstanding the plain
drift of events and the growing sentiment
OF the Cuban people point to annexation as
the inevitable outcome of the situation IL
is the first time in the history OF the world
that nation. by ser-imposed pledge. has
stood in the way of the accomplishment Of
an object which some of its greatest states
men have regarded as of prime Importance
For fifty years before the war with Spain
there was considerable annexation senti-
ment in the United States, but none IN
sentiment of the kind in Cuba, but little or
none in this country. The geographical ana
commercial reasons for the political an
nexation of Cuba to the continent TO which
il properly appertains are as strong as
overland the Cubans themselves see them
as they never did before but the resolution
of Congress stands in the way. Thus far
that resolution has shaped and controlled
the policy of the United States to the sole
end of the establishment of an independent
government in Cuba, but will it continue TO
do so? Thus far it has stood as a barrier
this country and the new annexation feel
ing in Cuba, but how long will it stand
The annexation feeling in Cuba is growing
every day. 1t is dawning on the minds OF
Cuban planters, shippers and business men
that tho industrial interests of the island
are dependent on the American market.
and that if they lose this market political
independence will do them no good; ard
they see they are in danger of losing it If
they do not come under the flag They are
alarmed at the prospect of the development
CT sugar and coffee and fruit culture in the
new American possessions, thereby depriv-
ing Cuba of its market for her products
and leaving her to find consolation in indie
pendence without commerce and self-gov-
eminent without prosperity. A leading
newspaper of Havana says:
Without the use of ships or soldiers. and
with only few thousand dollars, the De-
Fartment of Agriculture at Washington will
establish over us a terrible embargo. the
consequences of which will be our ensiave-
ment to restitution. Secretary Wilson in
tends that Porto Rico and Hawaii shall
furnish those articles which his nation now
buys from US, in order that the money now
expended in foreign countries shall remain
within the territory OF the United States,
secretary Wilson IS esta blishing expert
ment stations in Porto Rico and Hawaii
to instruct the people what TO produce from
the sell, and how 10 do II. Under his
direction Porto Rico will produce the cof-
ice needed in the United States. and large
quantities of pineapples, oranges, bananas,
cocoanuts, vegetables and fruits which now
come from Cuba and the West Indies.
To what market will we send the fruits
which are now actually the life of some OF
the Cuban districts? Porto Rico produces
everything that Cuba produces, and IL be-
longs to them. With that island, Florida
end California, the markets of the United
Sates will have no need of us. The same
development and Improvement in the cult
walton of cane will take place in our sister
island that is going on in the Pacific islands
IT order that only the smallest possible
quantity of sugar may have TO be pur-
chased from other countries.
The secretary of agriculture proposes to
encourage cattle raising and the making of
butter, cheese and other dairy products IN
both possessions. As il this somber picture
was not enough. the pacifcation of the
Philippines is advancing. the rich soil of
which is TO be a terrible enemy of Cuba
Ii is not then in the ministry OF war, but
in the ministry of agriculture where the
real danger To US exists We are grossly in
error when we think that because we were
once sovereign we Will be able 10 ignore the
American market. For believing this Spain
lost her foreign possessions. If she had not
rejected the reciprocity treaty, If she had
conceded a commercial monopoly TO the
United States, she, by sacrificing some
thing, would have saved her possessions.
Shall we undertake 10 carry rotten pine
apples into Germany. to force our sugar
into Russia and teach the negroes of Africa
10 smoke? Where are we TO find markets
when the Americans close theirs 10 US?
People who do not sell what they produce
die in nakedness. These things should be
considered by men who are able TO think.
Though not avowedly so. this is really
strong argument in favor of annexation.
and it is only one of many evidences that
the feeling is growing. That Cuba will
eventually become a part of the United
States is as certain as that an apple loos-
ened from the tree will obey the law of
sravitation. The only question is when anG
how? What action if any, on the part of
the Cuban people would absolve the United
States from its self-imposed pledge %
leave the government and control of the
island to the people? II a majority of the
people should at the last moment. and be-
fore trying independence. express a prefer
cree Tor annexation, would the United
States be justified in complying with their
request. and would il be safe or wise to do
so before they had had a taste of the r.
sronsibilities and burdens OF self-govern-
Inent? This question may have TO be de-
cided within a year.
The people of the country are so frequent
~ referred 10 Great Britain by the advo-