El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-05-07
Shall We Annex Cuba
III.-The Trouble in Cuba.

IF THE island of Cuba is annexed
10 the United States it will be ir
! spite Of the opposition of the great
! MAJORITY OF the people of both coun-
| tries The Cubans do not want TO be
| annexed and the Americans do not
want to annex the Cubans In spite
or this opposition on both sides,
nearly every competent observer, Cuban
| or american. who has given the ques-
tlon an exhaustive study. believes firm
~ that annexation is bound to come.
The Cubans are opposed 10 annexa-
ton for variety of reasons The best
Is that they desire to cherish and
maintain that freedom and independ-
ence for which they paid so dearly in
their long struggle with Spain. Cuban
/, politicians object 20 amalgama ton in
the American empire because II newt
ably would deprive them of their occu-
patton and livelihood. Cuban negroes
object because they have seen how
strictly the Americans draw the color
line. The ordinary, average Cuban
citizen Is oppiSed to American domina-
ton because he remembers that the
American abolished his lottery, profib-
tied his cock fights, and otherwise in
terfered with what ne regards as his
personal liberty and inalienabIe right
TO gamble.
Shall We Annex Cuba:
Although the average American is at
heart both an expansionist and an i'm
perialist, 1t may be asserted with conf
dence that vast majority of the peo-
pie of the United States would oppose
the proposition to annex Cuba Per
haps the chief reason is that it is the
general belief that we have a super
abundant SInnlT
things stand today, without taking on
any new complications. In the mind Of
the average American it is unthinkable
that Cuba should be taken into the fam
lily OF American states on an equal foot
ing with the rest of the union, and he is
opposed to any further extension of
philanthropic coIonialism.
Nevertheless, ii as impossible to es-
cape the conviction that Cuba will be
annexed to the United States The key
to this apparently anomalous situation
is 10 be found in the fact that big bust
ness in both countries favors annexa-
ton. and that the opposition to big
business in politics is unable TO suggest
a satisfactory alternative. The bust
ness affairs Of Cuba are in the hands of
a comparatively few men, most of
whom are not Cubans. The sugar plan
tations, the tobacco industry, the iron
mines, and the mercantile business of
the island are conducted largely by
foreigners.
Naturally the sugar planters and the
tobacco growers yearn for some form
OF stable government which will pro-
tect their fields from the devastation of
constantly recurring revolutions, and
which will insure the peaceful Oppor-
tunity to secure the necessary labor
nc - A1s Nc
mercantile business of Cuba still is con-
troled by unnaturalized Spanish peo-
pie Strangely enough, it is the Span
lard who hopes to see Cuba's political
and Industrial quarrels finally settled
by the raising of the stars and stripes
over the island.
American interests Concerned.
In the United States there are certain
great and powerful business interests
vitality concerned in the production.
and sale of sugar. tobacco
and iron. Cuba is q principal source
OF supply for the raw materials en-
ployed by these great and powerful
concerns 1t may be that these inter-
ests will have influence enough. when
the proper time shall lave arrived, to
induce the American government to
take over Cuba; especially when il is
remembered that the opposition Will |
have difficulty in suggesting a more :
arrangement.
Peace is the prime consideration Of
and it is not 70 be denied |
that the peace Of Cuba is thing most |
to be desired by all Americans as well !
as all Cubans. II it shall be shown, /
upon the plausible testimony Of events, |
that the Cuban people are unable to |
preserve the peace in their own coun- /
try. then it will devolve upon the |
United States to intervene. Upon the |
of the second American inter
vention in Cuba, president Roosevelt |
broadly inOma ted that If the United |
States army should go third time into
Cuba, it would go to stay. The presi
ient's opinion, albeit without the ex-
press approval OF congress. was then
generally accepted as the last word
With respect to the whole Cuban ques-
ion. Certainly there are few who be-
ieve that another American occupation
II Cuba would result in anything short
Of permanent annexation.
Peace In Cuba.
1t is not only the desire, but il is also
he solemn duty OF the United States
O maintain peace in Cuba. When the
United States interviewed in behalf of
cuba and fought a war with Spain for
he express purpose of freeing Cuba
rom the Spanish yoke, the American
in what was known as the