The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-04
CUBA WILL
JOIN The U. S.
But It Must Come About by
a. Natural Assirnila-
ton.
1870 49,
Former Governor Miller Of
North Dakota Advances
This Idea.
He's in Minneapolis En- Route
Home From the
Island.

John Miller of Duluth, the first gov.
ernor of North Dakota, who returned re.
Gently from trip to Cuba, was in the
city to-day. He says that much Ameri-
can capital is now going into Cuban lands
on the theory that annexation is tnevi-
table. He also says that Cuba's real need
is permanent and liberal policy toward
her on the part Of the United States.
While he believes that annexation is
bound to come, he says that 1t is more
likely to be brought about by the gradual
Americanization of the island than by the
sentiment ruling in Cuba now Governor
Miller said:
The action now proposed in congress to
reduce the tariff on Cuban sugar 20 per cent
for one year will accomplish little. 1t is
mere sop thrown to Cuba. 1t may be better
than nothing, but it does not go far enough.
No American can visit the island without
coming back convinced that the country
should do it's best to furnish Cuban products
with good market What Cuba needs is
legislation By congress incorporating lib-
eral and permanent policy toward the island.
1t is worse off to-day than when under tho
rule of Spain as it's products then had 9
market, while now they have none.
American Capital Going In.
There is large amount of American cap
ital ready to embark in Cuban enterprises.
So confident are some Of the eastern men
that Cuba will ultimately be annexed that
considerable money is already being invested
in Cuban lands. A representative of one
Of the larger companies making these in
vestments told me that the men associated
with him were willing to buy the property
on1 HIroft for h1n IN
increase its value, believing that they would
not have long to wait.
On the question of Cuba's future there is
variety of opinion on the island. The
property owners and the business interests
generally hope for annexation as promising
the most stable government. They predict
that it is sure to come. Some of-them insist
that a Cuban government will have rebel
lion on, it's hands in a comparatively short
time and the United States will be forced to
take the island over. Others make the point
that a liberal policy on the part Of the
United States toward the island will result
in large immigration from the United
Stats, which Will complete the Americaniza-
ton aid peaceful annexation of the island III
a few.s years. Il Then there is the common,
everyday Cuban, the man who has fought
and suffered for independence, who has seen
friends and relatives go down to death in
the fight for liberty. He wants to try
real Cuban government. Independence is no
fad with him. One of the more prominent
Of these men said to me: .We Cubans have
struggled long for independence. Now they
tell us that we cannot give the island q
stable government. We believe that we can,
and we want to try 1t. If we cannot, annex
alton to the United States must come
A Natural Assimilation.
Ny own opinion is that Cuba will ultimately
| be annexed. The most satisfactory annexa-
ton would be through the Americanizauon OF
the island with our capital, our people. and
our just treatment of the Cuhans. If this
government Is careful to impress Cuba with
its good intentions and take advantage of the
present opportunity, it will have gone a long
way toward successful assimilation of the
| island. If congress is to do the handsome
thing by the island. it should not spoil the
effect by bungling the job Cuba is studying
us and our intentions toward her, and now is
the time to DO our best When the Spanish
! flag In Cuba was hauled down and the Ameri-
| can flag went up in its place. the Cubans
| who had been fighting and praying for indie
| pendence looked upon it simply as change
| of masters. We protested our good intentions.
Now is the time for us to make our promises
good BY wise legislation at this session the
J American congress can start Cuba along the
! high road to prosperity at rapid rate. But
that legislation should be such as to give
promise Of stable and permanent conditions in
the island