The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-14
MAJOR STEELE ON CUBA
REASONS FOR HIS CoNCURRENcE IN
WAYS AND MEANS PLAN.
DesfrnbiIity of Excluding Cheap Labor
from the Island-Our Lack of
Obligations to the Cubans.
peoial n the Indiananolis Journal

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
MARION, Ind. March 1S.-Maj. George
w. Steele. who has returned from Wash
ington TO Marion. consented to talk on
Cuba and the proposed reciprocal arrange
ment with that island in the matter OF
tariff. Major Steele said: cuba sends us
our Injuries: we send her her necessities.
We propose a reciprocal arrangement OF
schedules whereby she gives us a reduc-
ton equivalent to that which we give her.
But first of all we believe that the condi-
ton imposed that the government of Cuba
enforce exclusion and immigration laws
similar to ours means more to us than the
value of the 20 per cent. reduction on Gu
ban exports suggested by the ways and
means committee.
when we keep Chinese and all cheap
labor out of Cuba as il is barred from this
country we put the island on a footing
which does not permit her products TO en-
danger our own or the wages of our work
men in any line of industry. We believe
this matter to be more important than
tariff schedules.
More than that, we are for harmony.
The administration looks on tariff conces-
sions TO Cuba as a heritage from the Nc
Kinley administration, and Governor Gen
eral Leonard Wood. close friend of the
Cuba, has much influence with MIR. Roose-
welt. We do not desire to oppose the adj
ministration. There is no reason for doing
so. For myself do not think this govern
ment Is under obligations to the CubanS.
We have given of our blood and treasure to
their cause. We have built for them
government better than they ever knew.
We fed them when they were hungry. The
ways and means committee sought all
the evidence it could secure. We heard the
testimony of those who ask for conces-
sions. Not one of them said the demand
was immediate or that there was suffering
or menace of disaster TO the island. They
contend that with the price of sugar at its
tended credit in order to continue in the
sugar business. and this they desire TO
avoid.
concessions in California, Utah. Minnesota
and Michigan, especially; in Pennsylvania
and in other States there is determined OPP
position TO tariff changes favoring the
island producers. The thing that influences
many of the strong protection States is
the danger involved in laying violent hands
the tariff fabric. This is the paramount
danger in the eyes of the Pennsylvanians,
for example.
I'VE find that Cubans the better class of
the islanders, and the governing portion OF
the people, are not ungrateful TO US for our
work in the island. More than that, we
find the tendency strong toward annexa-
ton. Everything we have in the Antilles
we secured rightfully. Cubans concede this.
L expect within five years, if make con-
cessions, as now proposed, with the safe
guard of exclusion of pauper labor and
the people of Cuba will be knocking for
admission TO the Union. 1 hope the time
Will not be short.
Il concur in the 20 per cent. reciprocal
reduction proposed by the ways and means
committee, with the proviso mentioned in
connection with pauper labor believing the
exclusion of undesirable immigrants from
Cuba, in view of the proba bilities of the
near future to be paramount.