Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-14
AN ANNEXATION MOVEMENT.

If certain reports emanating from
Washington are to be relied upon a
movement is organizing with the object
Of taking every possible step for the
purpose Of impeding the success of the
Cuban government and of forwarding
the annexation propaganda, both d.
rectly and indirectly. 1t is asserted that
for annexation at the close Of the last
session Of congress only fired the first
gun In a campaign which will be waged
without remorse. II this were all, re-
marks an eastern paper, it might be ex-
pected that the movement could be de-
feated. eff conditions were prosperous
In Cuba" says that journal, ''or even
moderately satisfactory, no cries of dis
tress would be likely to come from the
island, and probably no disturbances
would occur there. Under those circum-
stances there would scarcely be any
handle of which the annexationists
could successfully lay hold. But there
Is now every prospect that the condi-
tons in Cuba will become more and
more difficult unless she can secure
either reciprocity with, or annexation to,
the United States. A renewal of the
demand for reciprocity will give the an
nexationists exactly the opportunity af-
forded them at the end of last session
and they will advocate their favorite
project as a substitute for trade con-
cessiOns."
There is no question that there is a
sentiment In this country favorable to
the annexation Of Cuba and 1t has more
or less Cuban support. Senator Elkins
OF West Virginia is a prominent and
earnest advocate of the idea that the
United States should absorb the Cuban
republic and give it American state
hood. He does not propose any forcible
step for the attainment of this, but that
the Cuban people should be invited to
become a part Of the United States, with
a guarantee of rights and privileges on
a perfect equality with those enjoyed
by the people of the states OF the union.
Mr.. Elkins is not alone In this position.
There is a considerable number OF
Americans who earnestly believe that
Cuba ought to be a part of this country
and that ultimately she must be. They
think that must be the inevitable result
of the close proximity and the necessary
political and commercial relations be
tween the two countries.
The wisest mo predict with abso
lutte certainty what the future will bring
forth, but it seems to be unquestionablt
that at this time there is no genera
sentiment in favor of Cuban annexa
ton. We believe IL to be today the
practically unanimous feeling OF the
American people that the republic o.
Cuba should be given the fullest anC
fairest opportunity to demonstrate tn,
fitness Of its people to carry on an in
dependent government and TO establish
and maintain themselves among the ma
lions OF the earth. We do not doub
that 1t is the judgment OF a great ma
Jority of u people that it is the duty o
the United States to aid the Cubai
government in every legitimate way L
establish its stability and to common,
itself to the confidence Of the eivilize,
world.
We therefore think that any move
ment looking 10 the promotion OF Cuba.
annexation is 70 be condemned, as In
volving not only a wrong to the Cuba
people whose independence we are II
violably committed to. but also as lnim