The Courier. (Genoa, Nev.) 1899-1904, 1902-02-14
Discussion on
Cuban Reciprocity
Cuba Would Come in-Mr. Newlands'
Questions Put New Phase on
Cuban Question.
From the Washington Post.)


Col Tasker Bliss the United States
army officer who has been collector of
customs at Havana for some two years,
was heard before the Ways and Means
Committee yesterday regarding the
proposed Cuban reciprocity. He out
lined the depression in the sugar in
dustry at present and mentioned the
refusal of the banks to give the plant
ers further credit. He declared that
there was no distress just now, but
that the people of Cuba were In the
condition of a bank about to break.
Some interesting questions bearing
on the annexation of the island were
propounded to Col. Bliss by Mr.. New
lands, of Nevada, member of the
committee. 81 understand said Mr..
Newlands, shat the Cuban people
wish to come into commercial union
with the United States without being
subjected to the burdens that political
union would involve, such as restric-
ton of immigration, the pauper labor
of Europe, and the restriction of Asiatic
immigration. The contention, you I'M
derstand, on the American side, on be-
half of the beet sugar industry and
others, is that it would be unfair to
have commercial union when the
Americans are handicapped by restrict
i've legislation as to immigration and
cheap labor, and the Cubans are not
WILLING TO STAND ON EQUALITY
81 ask you whether or not the Cuban
people are willing to come into polit-
ical union with the United States SO
that they will stand upon an equality
in the production of sugar?v
81 think from my own personal ac-
quaintance, Judging from that alone"
replied Col. Bliss, land information |
get from my personal acquaintance,
the great majority of the Cubans are
ready.
''From all those people who are in
any way personally interested in the
Island of Cuba, 1 have never heard but
one statement = that they would be
glad to come in as State, as a Terri
tory, as colony, or remain under the
present military administration, or in
any way SO as to become recognized as
part of the United States.n
"Then," said Mr.. Newlands, eff the
United States government in the place
of tariff concessions should, by a joint
resolution adopted by Congress, invite
Cuba to come into our political union,
first as territory, with the assurance
that in due time it would be admitted
to Statehood, do you think that that
invitation would be accepted by Cuba?''
81 think It would" replied Col.
Bliss. Il think, as matter of pride
at least, all of the leaders in the late
war with Spain, the Cuban leaders
would prefer to see an independent
Cuba / think-in fact / know-that
there are some who have no hesitation
in saying that after their pride, the
pride of their people, has been satisfied,
they would gladly welcome the next
step in the solution of this problem .
The following colloquy ensued:
OUTSPOKEN CLASS AGAINST US.
Mr.. Newlands-Iti is represented here
that there is intense hostility upon the
part of Cubans to America.
Col. Bliss-There is on the part of a
certain noisy element--well, will not
say that, but an outspoken element;
yes, sir.
Mr.. Newlands-Is that large pro.
portion?
Col. Bliss-I think it is very small
proportion, largely represented by the
political men of whom | spoke, whose
immediate hope is in the establishment
of their independent government, the
qualification of their pride and their
ambition.