The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-03-09


sanitary precautions.
The welfare of the great eastern sec
ton, from Maine to Texas, would be Sc
cured if the Government of the United
States owned this territory, and could
put into practical execution all of it's
laws and rules of sanitation to the same
extent and as fully as it could or would
do were Cuba a part of our territory, and
our governmental regulations at all times
in force there.
But apart from a business and sordid
consideration, that humanity which we
so much and so wisely respected, and
which prompted us to declare war against
Spain, now urgently demands that the
United States, which has its army in the
island, and which has forced Cuba to
yield her assent to the eight provisions
of the Plat amendment-that she should
not enter into treaty with a foreign
power, allowing such power to obtain
Judgment in or control of any portion Of
her territory; that she shall not contract
a debt beyond the ability of the island
to pay; that this Government may inter
vene at any time it deems proper to pro-
tect life, liberty or property that this
| Government shall have voice in the SAN
itary plans of the island and that Cuba
will cede to us territory for coaling sta
tions and dockyards, and shall not in
clude the Isle of Pines in the government
demands now, as We virtually exercise
a protectorate, that we give her the re-
lief for which she prays
President-elect Palma, of the Cuban
Republic, tells us that unless we reduce
the tariff on sugar the planter cannot
make any profit whatever, and he can
not continue in business, and
"As a consequence 900 persons will
| be practically without means of subsist-
ence. Anarchy will reign in the island
| inshtead of law and order, and you will
not only have to send more troops there,
perhaps, but will surely be sending us
food, that We may not die of famine"
And to the same effect is the report of
our representative in Cuba, Gen. Wood,
who forcibly says:
Each day of delay in giving relief is
dangerous. When once the crash comes
relief will be of little value, except to
the speculator. who may gather up the
wrecks here. The people of the country,
| who have virtually reconstructed it in
three years will be ruined, and we shall
have to step in and reoccupy the country
or continue in occupation and do over
again the work which we have spent
thousands of lives and much treasure in
doing up to date ...
This information, coming as it does
| from the representatives of the two gov
| ernments, with daily appeals from the
| commercial bodies of Cuba and many of
her prominent citizens to the members of
this House, is a warning which this Gov
eminent cannot disregard.
On comparison with the Philippine pos
sessions Cuba is a far more desirable &C
QUESTION. l cannot better draw the COM
parison than by quoting a part of an ar
! ticle in the Havana Post of November 10,
/ 1901, where the editor says:
"All Of the Philippines, for example,
| import less than Havana does, although
the population of Manila and Havana are
practically the same. Manila contains
more than $4,000 Cinnamon and Havana
| fewer than 3 600. Manila holds more than
100000 native Filipinos and Havana few
1 err than 10000 negroes; Manila has fewer
| than II 900 whites, including $500 Am
| orleans, while Havana is controlled by
lL.6,O0O native whites. assisted by $4,000
whites of foreign birth. This tells the
story. The situation in Hawaii is little
if any better than in the Philippines.
Porto Rico is stihed by an excessive
population negro and mixed, and holds
no promise for development.
"Outside of the towns, both in the Ha-
waiian and the Philippine islands. the
barbarian holds sway. Life is not safe,
and agriculture must be carried on under
the protection of armed men. Outside OF
| the cities and towns of Cuba human life
is as safe as within the towns, and as
safe as in Ohio or Pennsylvania. Here
| are millions of acres awaiting occupation
and culture, and the immigrant can squat
as safely in Santiago as he could fifty
years ago in Nebraska.
THE conditions are entirely different
in Cuba from those of the other islands
named There are more white persons
in Cuba than in the Philippines, Sand
| witch Islands. Porto Rico, Java Trinidad,
Barbados, Bermuda, and British Guiana
| together. There are more evidences of
wealth and civilization in this island
than in Ill the others united. The United
States can sell more goods to this island
| two years from now, under proper trade
arrangements, than that country will be
selling to all of the others. More Ameri-
cans will come to Cuba under such trade
arrangements than will go to all the
other areas named. With fair trade re-
| lations, this island would become Ameri-
caniZed long before the American armies
can be withdrawn from the Philippines.
Already this government has expended
$4,000 600 for the subjugation of the
Philippine Islands, and it is costing us
$12, 900, 900 month to further pacify them
So long as we keep these ASiatics they
will be a source of irritation and ex-
pense to our country. Spain has given us
| the veritable shirt of Nessus, and the
more we try to solve the expensive
problem of pacifcation by arms the more
We will tear the very flesh from oul
vtals. Let our Government promptly
adopt the affirmative policy now outlined
by the Democratic party in the Senate
which is:
Il. That the United States relinquisl
all claim to sovereignty over the Philip
pines. subject to the provisions herein.
after set forth
'2. That from and after the passage
of this act the Philippine Islands shall
be foreign territory, and all goods enter
ing the United States therefrom shall b.