The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1907-01-03
GEN. MILES PROTESTS AGAINST
PROPOSED ANNEXATION OF CUBA
BY NELSON A. MILES,
Lieutenant General, U. S. A.,
Retired.

The future CT Cuba is one of the
most important subjects that can
concern the nation or the people of
our great republic. 1t is not the i'm
mediate condition or future of that
island that most concerns our peo-
pie. 1t Is what our action shall be
as affecting our principles of gov
eminent, our character as a nation,
or our integrity as a people. This
is of vital importance and cannot
be too seriously considered.
Today we see publicity an
nounced in flaming headlines in
the public press. dated Washington,
the following words: Fight to an
mex Cuba is begun" Business and
political interests determine Uncle
Sam is to take island" "Agitate re-
volt to aid movement" president
takes the position that the nation
should have one more chance" etc.
We are thus informed that GER
tain business and political interests
are determined to dictate our ma
national and international policy.
! Only very small percentage of
! the people of this country are con.
! cerned in business interests on the
island of Cuba, or are interested or
| affected by any of it's political mat
| ters or measures.
If such a measure as annexation
is to succeed, prompted by the in
trigue of a few individuals, resort
| ing to any methods to carry out
| their selfish purposes, what limit
| would there be to such a national
course prompted by avarice and adj
the nation be involved in complica-
tons and wars, with most serious
consequences?
Have we not business interests of
a hundred If not a thousand per
cent more Importance in Canada
than in the island of Cuba? We
have enormous capital invested in
the various railways, mines and
other industries and values in Mex
leo We also have interests in every
country of Central and South Amer
lea. On this same principle we
might consider the whole of Europe
within the borders of our own ter
ritory.
This theory of expansion in order
to promote business adventure or
enterprise is a new and most dan
gerous policy for any nation to
adopt. AS far as close proximity
to Cuba is concerned we are no
nearer to it than to BeviMHm h
nearer to it than to Mexico or Can
ada, with whom we have lived in
neighborly concord and friendly re-
lationship for many years.
Our active participation in the af-
fairs of Cuba were prompted by the
noblest and highest motives of hui
manity and sympathy for a long
suffering people who had been
cruelty oppressed under a despotic
power and made most heroic eff
fort for their independence, their
little army contending against the
combined efforts of the Spanish
navy and 100000 of her best troops.
The great heart of the American
people expressed its sympathy by
sending to their relief a sufficient
military and naval force to aid them
in acquiring their long hoped for
liberty and independence.
A happier people during the last
eight years has not lived on the
face of the globe. 1t was a noble
act, that our people extending them
a helping hand; 1t was far more
exalted act of magnanimity when
we aided them to establish their
democratic government and with
drew our provisional control.
AS our present occupation is
the amendments to the Cuban con-
stitution, and treaty based theron
more do we desire? Do we desire
to take advantage of the circum-
| III Jul oWh VI LII
some selfish purpose? 1t would
seem that we already have as the
authority that is needed for any
military or naval purposes of our
own.
The political phase presents quite
a different problem. Are we to
adopt a policy of conquest and &C.
QUESTION of territory by absorption
of other countries? If so, there
may be no limit to our desires, or
extent of our political complica-
| tions.
We have had New Mexico as a
territory for 80 years, notwithstand-
ing the fact that the people of that
| territory believed that they were
entitled to greater privileges under
| the treaty between Mxico and our
own country We have millions Of
people living under our control in
the Philippine islands and Porto
Rico.
| Do we wish to add without limit
to our territory and population by
l.. n. ~