THE ANNEXATION FEVER 357 



different language, with no experience in self-government, with a 

 histor\% traditions, and sympathies wholly different from ours: 

 could we hope to make them one with us? Can we afford to 

 dilute our national legislature with a score or more of Spanish 

 Cubans? Can we aflbrd to assume responsibility for the acts of 

 such a home government as the Cubans are likely to set up ? 



As with Hawaii, there is no question about the advantage to 

 Cuba of such annexation ; but in this case even altruism would 

 say nay ; for, assuming for the moment that the mission of the 

 United States is to better the condition of mankind, her efficiency 

 for this mission would be too greatly impaired by such an act. 



Tliere is constantly more or less talk about the annexation of 

 Canada. There is less objection to this than in the case of any 

 other possible addition to our jurisdiction. It would practically 

 eliminate Great Britain from North America, would add a popu- 

 lation which on the whole is no less civilized than the average 

 of our people, and a territor}^ a part of which, at least, is of value 

 as an agricultural region. 



Having glanced at the merits and demerits of proposed addi- 

 tions to our area and population, it Avill be instructive to extend 

 our view and glance at the history of other nations in this mat- 

 ter and the results of their acts. Of all nations. Great Britain 

 has shown the greatest greed for land. Her jurisdiction is as 

 wide as the earth. The little island in western Europe governs 

 many millions of square miles, including Canada, Australia, 

 India, Egypt, and South Africa, besides scores of smaller colonies. 

 Wherever the cross of St George Avaves, good government and 

 safety to persons and property are assured. To enforce her juris- 

 diction overall these dei)endencies she finds it necesary to main- 

 tain a large standing army and a navy which is by far the largest 

 of all the nations ; and yet, in spite of her large standing army 

 and her immense navy, she is one of the weakest of nations, 

 because her responsibilities have been increased in still greater 

 proportion. 



What has she gained b}'' her jiolic}^ of acquiring territory ? In 

 what way have her people gained more bread and cake? Has 

 her commerce been increased materially? Her total foreign 

 trade in 1894 Avas £624,000,000, of which her colonies contributed 

 £166,000,000. The United States alone contributed £119,000,000. 

 Have the annexed regions furnished homes for much of her 

 swarming po})ulation ? In all her colonies there are found some 

 9'} millions of people of English descent. In the United States 



