Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-21

It May Compel the Annexation Of Cuba to
the United States.

It May Compel the Annexation Of Cuba to
Of the United States.
Special to the New Yors Herald.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.-Is Secretary Blaine
plotting to annex Cuba to the United States?
Is the reciprocity clause Of the tariff act but the
cover to deep-laid scheme to put the planters
of Cuba in a position where they must throw
off the Spanish yoke or calmly await industrial
uniOn2
These are sensational questions, but there is
a remarkable combination OF facts to Justify
answering them both in the affirmative. Briefly
outlined the situation is something like this: The
reciprocity clause of the tariff has been used to
make treaty with Brazil. which has vast areas
capable OF sugar production. II Cuban sugar
cannot enter the United States free of duty
after January l, 1892 by reciprocity treaty
between this country and Spain. it will be
driven absolutely from the American market
by the high duty which will raise its urices
above the sugar Of Brazil and Mexico Il -.
Spain is debarred from making an arfnnRe-
ment under the reciprocity clause of the tariff
because she has treaties with European ma
tons which bind her to give them all the
privileges OF ''the most favored nations' She
cannot, therefore, maintain market for
Cuban sugar by a treaty with the United
States. The planters Of Cuba viii have
therefore to defy Spanish authority and make
treaties for Cuba as an Independents power or
find their crops rottening on their hands and
their plantations the useless refugees Of starving
and rcbelli0us workmen. Independence or
anne xetion will become essential to the exist.
ence OF the Queen Of the Antilles"
80 CUBA TO BE OURS. ~
II this country demands fair reciprocity in
trade With Cuba it forces Spain into most am
bsrrassing position. Secretary Blaine must have
known this when he prepared his reciprocity
program. It would have made no difference IL
reciprocity had been acc emphasized as he desired
by Treaties instead of by tariff legislation. n
| there were any difference it was that he had
stronger weapons in his hands without lef,is-
lation tin with TO coerce Spain in violating all
her treaties or risking tho loss Of Cuba by re-
belhon and snnex atioa. 1890
| 1t is not new idea that Mr. Blaine beliaves
/ ip the acquisition Of Cnba by the United Stntes
| It was an open secret among his friends louabe.
fore he entered the Cabinet OF President Harrison
| that he believed that Cuba should become one ~
the jewels Of the union. He believes and has often
said it. that Cuba will come to Us before
Canada comes and the proper diploma tic
methods might bring Fer very auicxiy.
With Spain in q position where she has 10
| choose betweon embroiling herself with Eu-
| rope or losing her western isle, she NAV be
much more ready TO accept . removable price
| THAI the would hnyc been under other or
cumstapces. CastiliAn pride would long hayr
stood N the way Of surrcndcriug ..the posrl 81
the Antilles while il was o mere ouestion AZ
mopey, but II II becomes a question Of national
aafety. Cubs, to use . fAvorits phrase 81 ~.
biajns'h may drop like ripe apple int our
1 10