The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-03
ELKINS' RESOLUTION

The Introduction a few days ago by
Senator Elkins, a senate "insurgent. of
a resolution inviting the Cubans to apply
for annexation to the union, is regarded
in Cuba as a preliminary to forcing the
annexation OF the island, as the only re-
source for the disappointed Cubans, who
are now confronted with business and
financial disaster through the refusal OF
congress to adopt a reoiproei bill which
would enable the planters to dispose OF
their sugar without loss. They are now
compelled to sell It at the low price
prevalent, and business in every. direction
is stagnant, and many men have been
thrown out Of; employment ~, .~z
The Elkins resolution seems to have
been devised as a taunt to the Cubans. It
seems to mean: 1--WE have got you into
hole and now your only way out is
throughs annexation" One Of the inter-
esting features Of Mr.. Elkins' speech on
his resolution was his insistence on the
great benefits accruing to the Cubans
after annexation. He declared that, ,un-
der such conditions, the products of Cuba
would not come into hurtful competition
with those Of the United States, as the
price of products in the states always
seeks an equilibrium. and free; trade
among the states has never lowered the
price of labor, or worked injury to
American interests He said the beet
sugar industry of tie United States would
Aot be injured or destroyed, but rather
stimulated and helped by the annexation
ofHCuba. - l... - sf..-~ F. : :
Senator Elkins, It may be observed, has
sided with the beet sugar crowd during
the entire six months struggle to defeat
the keeping Of the national pledge made
to Cuba, that; If she would subscribe to
our limitations Of her independence In the
Platt amendment important trade con-
cessions would be accorded her OF course.
il we prove false to our pledges, Cuba is
not bound through her congress to make
a permanent treaty with our govern
ment which would include the concession
of coaling and naval stations to the
United States and the settlement OF the
ownership of the Isle of Pines. Since
congress has refused to concede trade ad-
vantages to Cuba, it is possible that the
Cuban congress may decline to ratify any
treaty negotiated by President Palma,
and the question Of the right Of our gov
ernment to interfere will come up. Mr.
c.. M. Pepper, a we'll known newspaper
correspondent and commissioners Of the
St. Louis exposition. recently returned
from Cuba, says:
In the general good feeling which obtained
on the Goth Of May, when the Cuban nag went
up. it seemed possible to obtain everything
that was necessary in It's future policy, pro-
vided the long delayed tariff concessions
came. They have been denied and every
strong nation Of Europe to-day is seeking to
intrench itself in Cuba at the expense Of the
United States. This is not simply for trade.
though that is one object Back of it IS a
diplomatic motive OF creating all possible
embarrassments for the United States, In or
der to secure advantages for themselves in
other quarters OF the globe. That is chapter
In international burrowing which is yet to be
written,
It is a subject for serious reflection
that tariff concessions were refused for