Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-21
to bring about a lasting quiet Is by an
nexing the island and bringing the people

neXtny the island ana bringing the people
under the government of the United States.
This could only be done on the request OF
the Cubans themselves, and whether 1t is
their wish cannot be ascertainned until the
return Of the commissioners now investi-
eating the conditions there.
The Star has endeavored to obtain the
expressions OF suboff1cials and others as
are now In the city on the subject and
their views are herewith presented:
Acting Secretary of Commerce and Labor
L. O.. Murray: LAS a matter of fact I am
rather more interested in the annexation
be great and good work. because 1t would
save US the trouble in this department Of
naturalizing our mayors and policemen.
Judge Harlan of the interstate commerce
commission: II do not feel that am In
touch with the Cuban people. and in the
absence Of such personal knowledge I
would be loath to express an opinion. My
experience for the government has been en-
from what I understand. the population
and the atmosphere are very different In
the two islands. However. think that the
Presidents course Is a very wise one. and
be effectively carried out"
Mr.. Edward Mosley, secretary Of the in
terstate commerce commission. is one OF
the best-posted men in Washington on
Cuba. his personal experience with the
Cubans dating back to the Virginius af-
fair. He has been all over the island and
is we'll acquainted with many of the lead
ers there on both sides. He said: Il know
the Cubans WELL and they are good peo-
ple I think they are capable OF self-gov-
eminent, and 1 believe they will work 1t
out for themselves and without the need
of the Anglo Saxon race over them"
One official interviewed. who did not want
to talk for publication, said: Il do not
know much about the situation personally,
but I remember very well a remark that
was made by one of the Porto Rican COM
missioners here in Washington. He was
talking to me after Palma's election, and
said: That man might govern Porto Rico,
but Cuba, never. I have seen his picture
and no man can govern Cuba who does not
have teeth"
Put Down Lawlessness.
Representative Livingston of Georgia be-
lieves the President should command Sec
rotary Taft to put down lawlessness in
Cuba and leave to the Secretary the man
ner of doing the work of restoring order.
II do not think the United States should
borrow any more trouble than we now have
in the Philippines" said Mr.. Livingston to
Star reporter today. 1T is true we are
responsible to a certain extent for the re-
public of Cuba, and I suppose the nations
Of the earth will hold US responsible, and
under the Platt amendment we can force
peace in Cuba and l think the sooner the
President does 1t the better.
Business is at StandStill. The Island
of Cuba must lose immensely under such
conditions exist there now. and we must
lose heavily. There are other equally Inn
portant reasons why peace should be re
stored in Cuba. If we permit them to nag-
lect sanitary conditions. which will be the
lCaical result OF the present fnsurrec-io1
OIL the island, they will flood the southeri
states with disease, and we will be at their
mercy.
I'VE should do what we are going to do
very quickly. 1t should be done for their
| 4 for fIn nod n
commerce of the world. AS we have the
| authority we are bound to do 1t and to do
it quickly for the betterment of every
| body.
| "A sensible man would discover a means
| for bringing about peace on the islands by
being there and studying the conditions. III
| were President / would tell Secretary
| Taft to stop that fighting, and l would
| stand by whatever methods he should ac-
| cept. l would not bubble about It. You
| see we will lose to a large extent whatever
| advantage we may have In restoring peace
| on the island by delay. If we do 1t prompt
| ly its good effects will be seen and the ma
| lions Of the world will applaud our prompt
| ness. They will say they can trust US to
doing it I would leave to Taft and let him
| say how he would stop that war. Being on
| the spot. he would know what to do.
II Secretary Taft Fails.
representative of The Star asked
| Judge Campbell. attorney general for the
| Interior Department. for an expression on
| the wisdom Of the annexation Of Cuba. He
| said:
| II have not given the subject any serious
| consideration. In the event of Secretary
| Taft's failure to secure peaceful solution
| of the existing troubles in the island and
| the present Cuban government should ask
| for Intervention. see nothing to interpose
| in general way against annexation. OF
course, there are very important economic
| propositionoa to be considered. In the ac-
| QUESTION of new territory, with its vast
/ agricultural and industrial conditions and
| possibilities the matter of the effect upon
| our tariff system must be considered Ger
| tainly the location of Cuba suggests its de-
| STABILITY as strategic position for the
. United States In the world of commerce.
and under the existing treaty our govern
ment can both morally and legally profKer
to he Cuban people. II solicited. the oenen-