The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-09-18
CUBA NOT TNGRATEFUL
FOR SPANISH WAR AID

New York Sept. 17--Very little has
been said about the entrance of the
Pearl of the Antilles" in the world
war. and vet it's decision to follow
the United States and join in the
great struggle for democracy has
added material and moral strength
To the cause OF the allies.
In the first place, we must bear in
mind a few facts Of the greastest i'm
portsnce; Cuba today is the greatest
sugar producing country in the world.
and its three million tons OF shis
product IL being shipped to the United
States and other countries OF the.
entente Cuba also is producing an
enormous quantity of alcohol, good
part Of which is used in the manu-
faeture of liquid fire.
1t is true that Cuba is not mill
tary country and that from Its popu-
}atlon, less than three millions, no
more than fifty or sixty thousand men
could be pressed into active service.
but the young republic by its action
in following her great sister, has set
an example among the other Latin
American republics which has had a
most favorable effect It has shown
conclusiwely that the Spanish Ameri-
can countries, although divided by
languages. habits and culture from
the great republic OF the north. are
all one In love of freedom and the
infleXible win to make the new world
the real paradise Of democracy, where
all men. Irrespective OF creed or race,
have an equal chance 10 develop their
energies and enjoy without restric-
tiou the fruit OF their labor
when the Cuban congress unani-
mously backed President Menocal In
fa1y
ism. two great principles were writ
ten In tho history OF the world that
gratitude still is latent among ma
lions as we'll az among men, and that
the spirit of unC onQucrable courage
which animated the thousands of
heroes of the new world who gave
their lives so that this hemisphere
would be made the cradle of democ-
racy and the home Of free men, liz
still strong in the heart OF our pres
ent generation,
The step taken bv the island re-
public w8s soon followed by others
of the same race and language. Pam
ma, Guatemala and Brazil immedi-
AteN followed their sister Other
istin American countries that for
various reasons were not able to Join
against the common enemy neverthe-
less were prompt In announcing that
they. were heart and soul with the
policy followed by the great states
man, Woodrow Wilson.
A word as 10 the material aid rem
dered by Cuba to her allies: An island
OF some fifty thousand square miles
with perhaps the best bays and ports
in the world. surrounded by thousands
of keys and small and large islands
would have undoubtedly constituted
a most valuable base for German sub
marines. from where they could have
easily attacked and 'aestruratf nct er!y
the commerce between the United
States Europe and the South Ameri-
can Atlantic ports, but also all that
which today uses the Panama canal
In coming from the Pacific
With the entrance Of Cuba in the
war, this danger has not only disap-
peared, but also, the allies are de-
irving the great benefit of being able
to use all the Cuban ports TO re-
pienish their ships with coal and
other necessities
A few days before Cuba declared
war on GERMANY four large German
vessels informed in the island were
seized and, after undergoing repairs.
were presented 10 the United statess
President Menocal refusing to accent
payment therefor. very patriotic and
unselfsh action that brought a most
encouraging and gracious message
from President Wilson.