Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-21

vorable to the project, and President Nc
Kinley has been quoted as saying TO the
Cuban commissioners, '1f you were only
a member of the family. how easy 1t
would ell be-"
The Only Difference.
The difference between the positions
taken by Senator EllIins and Representa-
two Newlands appears TO consist In this,
that Representative Newlands, as he IN
formed the writer, believes that Cuba
should be given a reciprocity treaty, with
an opportunity Of establishing fuller and
freer relations with the United States
commercially. for the purpose OF demon
stratlng beyond question the advantage
to the island Of full commercial and polit-
ical union with the United States, while
Senator Elklns insists that annexation
sh ould come before Cuba contracts
debts and strains her credit TO start IN
the race of national life. Why not antici-
pate the sure workings of time" argues
l.. senator, "and do now what the people
of both countries will welcome later on
with Joy, unanimity and enthusiasm"
Mr.. Newlands insists that Cuba should
first be given an invitation to become a
territory, with a promise of statehood
wheel, in the judgment OF Congress, the
proper time arrives. Mr. Elkins proposes
a treaty OF annexation on the basis Of i'm
mediate statehood. Both are apparently
anxious to give satisfactory assurances
to the people of Cuba that colonial govern
ment such as that of Porto Rico and the
Philippines, need not be feared. In dis
cussing the question Mr.. Elkins said:
1.-THE people of Cuba VIII soon learn that
Il is far better to be a state In the Ameri-
can union, with senators and representa-
tives In congress. than to be a dependent
nation. We owe Cuba good WILL but why
this seeking after friendship with a coun-
try for which we have done everything?
II her government lasts a thousand years
II cannot discharge its obligations to US,
and l cannot understand this desire to
make great and continued sacrifices In
order TO secure the friendship OF Cuba.
The United States can better afford to
give up all trade with Cuba and pay all
the expenses of the Cuban government
than impair the protective principle and
injure any American industry. No suffi-
cient reason can be urged against annex
alton. Under all the circumstances. an
nexation now is in the interest Of both
countries. l never favored II before, and
opposed the Spanish war, partly for the
reason that in the event Of war the Unit
ted States would be compelled to acquire
all the territory of Spain In the western
hemisphere, which I did not desire"
EIklns Sums Up.
In substance, Cuba would be desirable
acquisition to the United States, but en-
trance into the American union will soon
er or later become an imperative necessi-
ty for Cuba"
do you anticipate any trouble what
ever with any European country over the
annexation OF Cuba7" was asked OF Rep
resentative Newlands. several days ago.
cit is a purely domestic matter" no re-
piled. eff the annexation OF the Philip
pines, seven thousand miles from home,
passed unchallenged, there could be no
possible ground for any European nation
even going so far as to question the pro-
priety Of the United States absorbing
Cuba"
To many Of those who have studied this
matter the question appears to resolve
itself into this: Will Cuba be plucked in
full fruition, or will 1t come to pass that,
when burdened with debt, harassed by a
discontinued populace, or in the throes Of
revolution, 1t will drop an over-ripe apple
into the hands Of America.