Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-11-22
RECIPROCITY UNLIKELY.
harked Change in Public Opinion
Regarding q Policy i'm Favor
of Trusts.

1T was but a few weeks ago that
he Louisiana Sugar Planters associ-
| alton adopted stalwart resolutions
against reciprocity with Cuba, de-
.laring that it was the entering
wedge of free trade that would admit
| al sugar free to this country and
bring about the downfall of the SUI
gar industry. There can be no ques-
ion that at the time of this utter
Ince the situation looked rather
alarming The west had declared ap-
oarently with great unanimity in IA
.or of reciprocity, under the belief
that this would aid it to sell its prod
1cts in Cuba and South America; and
.he sugar trust and other capitalists
Who have recently invested consider
able money in Cuban plantations
we're anxious to get their sugar into
this country free or pay a lower duty
The sentiment in favor OF reciprocity
appeared very strong, and as the
. president was known to have a lean
ng in that direction, he was counted
ID to recommend the adoption of the
policy of reciprocity in his message,
as a continuation of the policy out
last speech at Buffalo.
| But in the last few weeks there
has been complete change in the
situation, which has postponed any
chances of reciprocity, at least with
Cuba, for years Two facts have
strongly impressed all persons who
were in any doubt on this subject.
First, that the most ardent shouters
for reciprocity were thoroughly self
ish, and expected to make fortunes
by getting their sugar in free. Sec
ondly, that the government would suf-
fer in revenue from reciprocity; and
that many American industries and
home producers, but particularly the
tobacco growers of the Pacific coast,
sugar planters of Louisiana and
| Texas and beet sugar farmers of the
northwest would be sacrificed mainly
to benefit the sugar and tobacco
trusts. The protests from the threat
ened industries have not been with
| out their effect; and the disposition
shown by the sugar trust to maintain
| it's monopoly and crush out all com
petition has converted many waver-
| ing persons who do not care to see
congress play into its hands.
| There seems to have been a very
marked change of public opinion in
the west, or rather those who saw
no reason why we should favor the
| Cuban planters at the expense of our
| own farmers spoke their minds. More
| over, some one suggested to the i'm
perialists and eXpansionists that reci-
procity, instead of having the effect of
| bringing Cuba into the union, which
| they desire, would have exactly the
contrary effect. If the Cubans got
their sugar into the United States
free of all duty, through a reciprocity
treaty, it would build up and enrich
the island at the expense of this coun-
try and strengthen the Independent
government in power. There would
| be no incentive for annexation, as
Cuba, while still Independent and gov.
erning itself, would secure all the
| advantages that annexation could give
it. But if kept out in the cold, if told
! that it cannot get its sugar into the
United States free of duty except
through annexation, the sentiment il
! favor of annexation will, it is argued
grow steadily stronger.
Mr.. Roosevelt's own personal lean
ing to reciprocity has been somewhat
weakened by these arguments, but
still more so by the interviews he ha:
recently had with senator's and rep
resenta tives. He has found a large
ma oriny Of them, particularly of the
republican leaders, opposed to reel
procity of the style proposed by the
sugar trust. The reciprocity outlined
by Mr.. Mckinley and favored in thu
republican platform must not Repre-
sentative Dalzell told the president
bring injury to single American pro
Queer, that is, it must be reciprocit,
in such products as we do not rails,
ourselves.
| 1t is now announced that the presi
dent viii not recommend in his mes
sage the adoption of the reciprocit.
treat ties, and will favor none save thos,
that carry no injury to American in
terests. This may be considered a
setting the matter, as reciprocit,
could get through congress onl,
through the backing of the president
and even then it was in doubt. Witt
Mr.. Roosevelt lukewarm. if not in op
position, with the republican leader
opposed and public sentiment chang
ing against policy framed mafnl,
; in the interest of trusts, reciprocit,
: may be regarded as dead for the pres
ent. The change is remarkable, he
cause it was decidedly in the ascendan
only a few weeks ago.-N. o. Times
Democrat.
1t rests with the people of tn
, United States to teach congressme1
, | and senators that the sentiment TO