The Saint Paul globe., 1904-05-23
MONDAY, MAY %, 1904.
THE RETTER WAY.

All recent visitors to Cuba report
a very strong annexation sentiment
growing among the people of the ISL
and. Only the politicians insist upon
continued separation and the mainte-
nance of an Independent republic.
They are anxious to preserve their
jobs and perhaps, if ever annexation
does come, to make it a good thing
for themselves. Everywhere else
among the great masses of the people
the feeling prevails that union with
the United States would be best for
Cuba industrially and politically.
If this country is to experience ter
ritorial expansion, this is the way it
should come. The point that we wish
to emphasize is that the friendliness of
the relations between us and Cuba,
and the existence there of a sentiment
favorable to Incorporation with the
United States on any terms, are due
solely to our own attitude during the
Spanish war. Had we taken the same
tone with Cuba that we did with the
Philippines, the result in the west
would. have been the same as in the
east. Certainly the Cuban patriots in
arms would have declared war against
us and protracted their resistance as
long as possible. Certainly this would
have embittered every resident of the
island, and We should have had to con-
quer a peace and win annexation, if
ever it came, at the point of the sword.
We should have held loathing people
in subsection, waiting ever for the
chance to mutiny, instead of having
grateful neighbors whose study became
from day to day the advantage that
they might derive from a closer con-
nection with their truest friends.
T he Clio obe has no particular de-
sire to see Cuba. annexed to the United
States. 1t believes that her future and
ours would be better served by per-
manent separation. 1t deprecates the
American notion that big things are
good just because they are big, which
Is the parent of many of our faults and
nearly all of our follies. It wouId
rather see small independent states
springing up all over the world, edu-
eating the people in self government
and permitting that scrutiny of details
which must be wanting to imperial
forces, than to have many square miles
and many millions to boast of and bad
administration to be ashamed of
Nevertheless, if more territory and
more people are to come, let them
come by the way OF conciliation. of
friendliness and of their own desire.
The converse of what We have statn7
of Cuba is true. If it be a fact. as it
is, that Cuba, had she been treated as
were the Philippines, would have been
as hostile and as alien as thev If IS
likewise true that we have only ia
treat the Philippines as we have treat
ed Cuba to create there, notwithstand-
ing the existence of actual war. feel
ing akin to what the Cubans cherish.
Let those people understand that they
are to have future of their own.
Tell them that the United States does
not mean to hold them forever captive.
Say. to them that we earnestly and
practically support the principles on
which our own government is, found :,
ed Declare that they. too, shall have
their independence guarded by our
protecting care, aided by our material
resources, but free politically from our
interference or dictation.
Given those conditions, we should