CHAPTER XIV 



THE FUTURE OF THE ISLAND 



The coming indush'ial rehabilitation. Limitations of climate and possibil- 

 ities. Opportunities for small farming. The reopening of the sugar- 

 plantations. Indush'ial openings. Future railway construction and 

 public works. Harbors and municipal improvements. Commercial 

 expansion. 



WITH the passing of the Spanish regime in Cuba, which 

 now seems assured, one is naturally inclined to specu- 

 late concerning its political and commercial future. Under 

 the solemn declaration of the resolution passed by both 

 bodies of our Congress and signed by the President of the 

 United States, this country stands committed to assist the 

 Cubanos in establishing an independent form of government. 

 It is our solemn duty to fulfil this obligation. Back of it, 

 however, is a strong feeling, upon the part of Americans, 

 foreign residents of Cuba, and Cubanos, that the ultimate 

 destiny of this island will be absorption into the American 

 Union. This fate has been predicted by every intelligent 

 student and desired and prayed for by the people of the 

 island for over half a century. That it will ultimately be 

 brought about by natural and friendly means there can be 

 no doubt. 



Whether it remains an independent republic or becomes 

 a part of our territory, it is generally believed that the 

 island will undergo an industrial and commercial renais- 



134 



