Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-09-13
CUBAN ANNEXATION
Q Inevitable Movement Tow.
ard It's Occurrence.


In article by Frederick Upham Adams
CHI affords a fairly accurate picture
the peaceful revolution which has been
err way for some time and which seems
him forcing the people toward annexa-
with the United states, appears In
lier's Weekly. Mr.. Adams writes In
l.:
study of the conditions which now
ut in Cuba will convince the intelligent
tor that the peaceful annexation of
island republic to the United States
lot only inevitable, but also that such
|exation will not be postponed for
nv years. Those best qualified to
ge do not.hesitate to predict that this
be one of the events to he chronicled
hin the next ten years. and many keen
ervers are OF the opinion that it will
pen much sooner: in fact, they assert
{ it will speedily be forced to the
ht as n political issue In cuba, and
t the annexatlonists will win in the
I battle.
dislnterested study Of Cuban affairs
vinces me that the demand for an
alton will come from the people of
{ island. and not as a consequence Of
craving for new territory on the part
the United States. The situation is
kresting, and to an extent peculiar. hut
by no means novel. 1t promises to
r a parallel to the conditions which
e developed in the Transvaal, in which
Invasion of foreign capital precip-
ed a conflict which finally wrested
nendence from the sturdy but un-
1ercial Beers. There is this impor-
difference-the Cuhans welcome the
erican invasion of capital, and their
re- for national individuality does not
n large against their ambition for ma
al wealth.
MS is not to infer that there is not
earnest and considerable faction which
for It's slogan Cuba FOR the Cubans,"
unless all signs are misleading these
lists must give way to the pressure
oh will be exerted by the hundreds Of
Ions of outside wealth which are
ring into Cuba. and which will awak-
her to an active participation in the
IT pro1uctivities TO which she is pecu-
ly lifted.
the South African republic could not
serve itself against the aggressive
ktalism of a country removed from it
thousands of miles and foreign IN
rs way. what shall be expected of
a, whose headlands are almost within
BIT from the shores Of its powerful
Ehbor and guardian to the north? The
pes of the Spanish-American Wal have
Oily died awawy, and the invasion of
trican capital has only started, yet
sc alien fnanciers already in the field
e a commanding influence. The real
tai OF Cuba is Washington and not
lana, and its agricultural and indus
feature is in the hands of investors
b New York, Boston, Philadelphia and
cago, and not in the keeping Of the
We capitalists of Matanzas, Camaguey
santiago.
any consideration of this great ques-
1t Is idle to consider whether OF not
Cubans are capable of ~self-govern-
I. Beyond doubt they have evinced a
ked aptitude as politicians and nave
hatural fondness for holding office.
y cherish the honors which come with
IL lIoItltbioI, anu tlI' llistlt WIN llle
k-rake need not scratch deep in Cuba
pturn material which will offend those
prefer to leave r~ottenness alone. But
This IS beside the question, As | haVe
before, n need not dwell long on
governmental qualifications Of the
ans. Even today they hold their au-
fity only by our sufferance. I am
bred that an accurate census of the
nd will show that the white Cubans
in n numerical minority. Certain
that they will he IN n decided mi
ty within the next rvc years, and
|ss all signs are misleading. the fol-
ng five years vii find there as many
orleans as Cubans.
hose who have not visited cuba since
war have no conception of the agrl-
ural and industrial revolution which
is fairly under way. At a conser-
We estimate more than sl2o. 600. 900 of
Prlcan and Canadian capital is al
y invested in that island, and this
unit will be doubled in the next two
rs. Shrewd capitalists are buying
in tracts OF from 1000 to $50. 900
Is, vast cane fields and orange groves
being planted. great plains or savan-
are being devoted to the raising of
lie imported from Texas ranges. cop
and iron mines are being developed,
ftwork of railroads Is spreading out
former wildernesses, modern hotels
taking the place of wretched inns.
erican banks II business establish
is excite the wonder and envy of the
ves-a new Cuba Is building.
here Is practically no restriction of
ballot In Cuba, and since there IA
- likelihood that the question OF an
alton will finally bc settled ct the
>, 1t is we'll to inquire inta-the polit-
predictions of the electorate. For
purpose | will divide the voters into
IN classes, as follows: % Wage
kers in cities m on plantations; co.
roes and mulattoes; go tradesman
small merchants; "a those of the
die class with small fixed incomes;