NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE GROUP.

37

rivers are often found small expanses of swamp-land and alluvial levels.

Climate and soil combine to make these islands extraordinarily productive. Sugar-cane, tobacco, cocoa, coffee and a great variety of fruits are grown in immense quantities.

The important mineral resources are iron, manganese, copper and gold, which, with the exception of the last, are extensively worked. There must be rich deposits of gold in the island of Haiti, but there are difficulties in the way of operating them.

THE POPULATION

HAS DIMINISHED AND ENTIRELY CHANGED SINCE THE DISCOVERY.

The total population of the Great Antilles is somewhat less than four millions. This number probably falls short of the population of the islands at the time of their discovery, but under the circumstances it is as favorable as could be expected. Scarcely at any time during the intervening five hundred years have these islands been entirely free from some form of warfare, and disease, which has always found a facile field for its ravages in Spanish colonies, has claimed innumerable victims. The present inhabitants represent the survival of a very small proportion of the total immigration, even the negroes having died in great numbers before the hardiest became acclimated to the soil.

RELATIONS OF AMERICA TO THE ISLANDS.

The islands of the Great Antilles, despite many contrasting differences, are united by more than their geographical aggregation. Not the least of the conditions which they share in common is the probability that all will at some time, not very distant, come under the dominion, or at least the protection, of the Stars and Stripes. Geographical propinquity, commercial interests, political sympathy, and other factors tend toward the establishment of closer bonds between America and the members of the Great Antilles.

The United States is already intimately concerned. in the affairs of Santo Domingo. The action of the American Government in interposing between the insular republic and its national creditors is an admission of a certain degree of responsibility. The principle involved in this action may, under easily conceivable circumstances, induce the United States on some future occasion to establish a protectorate over Santo Domingo and the contiguous territory, Haiti. These countries have on more than one occasion in the past evinced an inclination to be annexed to the United States without, however, exciting a favorable response. A large proportion of the American people may always be averse to the absolute political absorption of an island populated en

THE FUTURE OF CUBA.

39

tirely by negroes and mulattoes. This difficulty is enhanced by the fact that the respective races are inimical to each other and give no promise of coalescence. Whatever degree of control, or proprietary interest, the United States may eventually acquire in the island of Haiti will be the outcome of compulsory conditions rather than of desire; nevertheless, a strong probability exists that the ultimate relations of America and these republics will be in the nature of suzerainty, or colonial possession.

THE FUTURE OF THE CUBAN REPUBLIC.

The case of Cuba involves somewhat similar contingencies, although the factors of the problem are very different. It may be asserted without discredit to the Cubans that they have no genius for government. It would, indeed, be remarkable, if the truth were otherwise. There has never been any opportunity on their part to exercise the art of administration, nor have they enjoyed a rule such as might have afforded them a beneficial example in this re spect. History presents no illustration of a people who, having been misgoverned throughout their existence, succeeded in establishing a stable and satisfactory government without going through a period of more or less turbulent formation. There is no good reason for believing that Cuba will furnish an exception to this rule. We have recently been af

forded an indication of the discordant elements that exist in the Cuban Republic, and an example of the proneness of her representative men to resort to unlawfulness. There is little doubt, that but for the physical strength of the present government and the ever-present sword of Damocles in the form of the provision in the Platt Amendment for American intervention, the past general election would have been the occasion of a violent revolutionary movement. Such a political convulsion may disturb Cuba at any time, necessitating the interference of the United States and the re-occupation of the country by its troops. In such an event it is at least likely that the Stars and Stripes would never again leave the island.

If, however, such a consummation is not brought about by any action of the Cubans it can hardly fail of achievement as the result of an influence that is bound to assume irresistible proportions within the experience of the present half century. The regeneration of Cuba is due to American capital. Since the date of Cuban freedom it has flowed into the island unceasingly, and in enormous quantities. It is probable that American interests in the island to-day represent a sum approximating one hundred millions. More than thirteen thousand citizens of the United States own land in Cuba, for which they have paid in excess of fifty millions. The vast tobacco business is in American hands and American capital controls the banks, the mines, the railroads

THE JAMAICAN SITUATION.

41

and in short- all the important enterprises and industries.

It may be said with truth to-day, and with greater emphasis next year than this, that American citizens own practically everything that represents the wealth of the country. Cubans are the administrators, officials and laborers, American capitalists are the proprietors of the country. Such a condition can have but one eventual result, a climax similar to that which brought Hawaii under the Flag.

THE TENDENCY OF JAMAICA TOWARDS ANNEXATION.

There is in Jamaica a strong, and constantly growing, sentiment favorable to the annexation of that island by the United States. Despite their loyalty, the Jamaicans nurse a serious grievance against the mother country on account of her persistent refusal to protect the West Indian colonies against the crushing competition with bounty-favored sugar by imposing a countervailing duty upon it. The Jamaicans in their distress repeatedly appealed to the British Government for tariff relief. It was not granted and the island, which had been the most flourishing in the Antillean chain, fell into a state of industrial depression from which it has not yet emerged. What degree of revival Jamaica has enjoyed in recent years is due to the stimulus given to her banana trade by American capital and enterprise.