The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1907-03-07
PEOPLE OF THE IsLANo TORN BY
VIOLENT pissEHsloNs.
ANNEXATION The REMEDY
Admitted That They Are lncspso'e @
selrooyernnent-many Seek for
Same Conditions as ESst
in Porto Rico.

Warrington. March C--One OF
the most serious problems confronting |
the national administration is the sit
uatnn IN Cuba. The people Of the
island are divided into factions and |
torn by violent dissensions. That they
are Incapable. under prevailing condi-
lions. Of seifgoyernment Is dawning
on tho minds Of American statesmen.
but lust what the duty Of America is
toward them Is question yet un'
solved
The Cubans themselves have a
prde ln fgoyornm"ut, but the bet
ter clasB VI them believe that It
would be the better policy for the
United States 20 maintain a protec-
torato over the island. perhaps for
considerable time. In a way, this
opinion is voiced by the Havana
post. IN discussing the suggested IN
crease of the Rural Guard Of Cuba
10 10000 men. The Post says:
"The proposition 10 increase to lO,-I
900 the army Of Cuba will be as full
of peril 20 Cuba today as Il would
he 10 arm the Mvros IN the Philip
pines with modern firearms. II will
mean war and bloody riot II they un'
dertook 10 increase the army in the
United states In proportion It would
make nm army Of 100000. Would the
people stand nor such a thing? Lot
congress try It and see
This proposition 70 increase he
Rural Guard has me, with violent op-
posltlou from the conservative ele-
mouts OF the Islands population
Temporarily at least. the plan has
been abandoned, partly because OF
the expense in carrying it into cXecu-
tlon. but principally because OF a
doubt as 10 the loyalty OF troops re-
cruitcd under present conditions. NO
doubt exists that there Is power
fui element in Cuba which fayors not
merely protrctoratc Of the United
states over the island government
but absolute annexation of the ISL
and to the American government. The
advocates Of annexation maintain that
only through annexation will 1t be
possible to establish an absolutely
stable and effective government on
the island. THIS feeling IS voiced In
statement made today by q careful
observer Of Cuban affairs.
No doubt exists as to the growing
sentiment among the intelligent and
progressive Cubans In favor Of per
nlauont American control Of the Isl
anTs affairs A protcctomtc, under
which the American government
would exercise supervision OF Gu
ban matters is advocated by some
but 10y far the greater number Of con
scryatlyc thinkers believe that ahso
lute annexation Of Cuba 20 1he Unit
ed States Is the only genuine solution
Of the trouble which now faces Ms
They urge that he destiny of Cubs
is coupled with that OF Porto Rice
and that the United States ought
10 proceed along the same lines 10
ward cuba as Is followed In PortC
Rico Such policy would insure
stable goyernmen, in Cuba and nm
der its administration, the islanC
would be developed IN way moi
possible under any other form Of gov
crument'
Secretary TAFT shortly Will yisi
Cuba further O study At close range
the situation ns it has Develops
since tho american government founC
Il necessary 10 intervene to prevent
serious trouble. II has been the mten
tiou of the American government e
withdraw the troops from the islauC
about no 1st ot July, but the deci
sion to do so rs only tentative
whether the decision Is 10 be- car
He'd into effect or not will dcpcnr
upon the conditions as they arr
found boy the administration al tha
time. Every dpcuuragomont will h
given 90 the Cuhaus TO establish
stable government for It Is well nm
derstood that neither Prcsidon
Roosevelt nor Secretary Taft desires
10 extend the American occupation
but they do not propose 10 leave The
island until they are assured tha
riot and revolution will not be pre-
itatod on the island government tina
may be established.