The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1901-04-26

There seem to be some powerful
influences at work against the threat
ened annexation of Cuba-and they
are influences with which we are all
familiar. The New York Press. which
hohis the record as the most passion
ate protectionist publication in this
country. IL not in the world. express
es the opinion hat the annexation
Of Cuba would be fatal 10 our pro-
tected sugar interests. Commenting
on a statement in a census bulletin
that "beet sugar manufacture is .
commercial success in the United
States the Press declares:
"Thi settles the larger part OF our trop-
ical and colonial questions. IL prohibits
the annexation OF Cuba TO the United
States. IL bans the abhorrent bargain
which the Planters society seeks TO make
OF the exchange OF political freedom for
commercial monopoly. There will be no re-
cuction OF ~ per cent. or any per cent. OF
the United States tarin on the chief Cuban
products"
would do more to check the expan-
sion movement than a decision of the
supreme court that the American
tariff extended throughout the length
and breadth Of any territory subject
TO the jurisdiction of this govern
ment. The fight for a tariff on inn
ports into this country from Porto
Rico was made by men interested in
sugar and tobacco. who feared. not
merely free trade with Porto Rico,
but the probability of free trade
with the Philippines. And If these
gentlemen find hat we cannot hold
territory and at the same time main.
tain discriminating tariffs against
the people occupying that territory.
they will promptly join forces with
the Boston anti-imperialists. 1t is.
therefore. clear that the tariff ques-
ton is going 10 give US a good deal
Of trouble in the work of carrying
our civilizing influence around the
world. We shall have to consider. not
simply the welfare of the people to
whom we propose TO minister. and
that of the people of the United
States generally, but also that Of
those for whose benefit we so cheer
fully tax ourselves. Thus the COLI
sion between our protected interests
and the expansion sentiment may
have very interesting consequences
One other thought in this connec-
ton is important. Many people ar
que that il is not worth while 10 dis
criminate in favor of the beet sugar
interest because IL is so insignificant
They hold that ii is not established
and that il has small prospect of ever
being established. Their theory il
that protection should be granted
only in cases where a new industry
can be created" within a reasonable
time. On the other hand. we are now
told that the manufacture of beet
sugar is already "a commercial sue
cess in the United States" And from
this the conclusion is drawn that we
must protect il. Of course. we under
stand that the theory is that an in
dustry may not be established strong
ly enough 10 resist foreign COMPETE
ton. But the time never I'M
when the m-s engaged in a protected
industry will admit that il is es'ab-
lished beyond the need of further
fostering care. In the present ease
we have it argued that the beet sugar
industry ought not TO be protected
because IL is not established. and
that it ought 10 be protected because
il is established. We shall look for
ward with great pleasure TO the i'm
pending struggle between the Nc
Kinley p~rotectionists and the Nc
Kinley expansionists. Out Of il may
come a more rational tariff system I'm
this country. and a wise withdrawal
from the attempt 10 govern distant
{ peoples who ought. as far as we are
concerned. TO be allowed 10 govern
Observation-Disclosures News Ind.).