Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-03-20
A SERIOUS MATTER
Cuban Question a Most Perplexing
One.
THE IOWA DELEGATION Is DIVIDED
Think That Sugar and Tariff Modifica-
ton Questions Are lnextrcably Join
ed-Sugar Beet Industries Play an
Important Part in the Problem.
Washington, March IA, 1902.

Washington, March IA, 1902.
Old members of the House of Repre-
sentatives aver that many sessions
have passed into the dim hence since
the majority in congress faced so SER
ious proposition, involving local
interests, as at the present juncture.
The Porto Rican episode of two
years ago was less complicated in that
while the people and press took an
opposite view to that of the majority,
the republican members of the house
were practically unit in supporting
the ways and means committee, and
with the exception of Mr.. Mccall, the
republican members of the committee
were for the bill. At this time, how
ever, upon the Cuban sugar question,
there is such wide range of opinion;
so many schemes and devices in the
air; so little real leadership of the
kind that is able to harmonic discord
ant elements. that no man seems to
be able to forecast even approximate
results.
Iowa Delegation Concerned.
The question is giving no small con-
house. Among the Iowa members the
same disposition to view the matter
from various points seems to prevail
as In other sections Some are oppos-
Cd to making any reduction in the Ding
ley schedules; others take middle
view and counsel some concessions;
still others say give the Cubans a
chance for their lives and property.
In the minds of Iowa congressman the
sugar and tariff modification questions
are inextricably Joined. 1t is pointed
out by those opposed to tariff tinker
ing that to be consistent the tariff on
sugar must be maintained. If it is the
policy to permit matters to drift along
in the present prosperous channel,
waiting for a more opportune time to
open up the tariff question. then man
ifestly is it unfair to single out the
sugar beet industries in the United
States just under way and just about
to start. for the sacrifice. 1t is point
ed out that the reducing of the Ding
ley rates upon sugar for the benefit of
Cuba would have the effect OF pre-
venting the carrying into effect of large
schemes for the production OF sugar
In the United States and deal severe
if not crushing blow to those already
in operation. They say we have gone
to the limit in our efforts to relieve
Cuba from Spanish tyranny and that
our dut-. has been performed; that
on '''--- now is toward our own peo-
plc sc endeavoring to build up
O. that will keep millions of
dr. sent to Germany and
F., sugar. within the borders
o. itcd States.
Th Is tho stock and strongest ar
gument advanced by the element who
take the view thar Cuba should be
dropped; promises ignored. tacit UNI
derstandings forgotten; purely mer-
cenary attitude assumed
No Margin of Profit.
There is another element that takes
a somewhat broader view of the
situation; looking into the future de
cade or so. They contend that at the
time of the acceptance of the Plat
amendment, debating in sense the
text of the Cuban constitution, it was
at least tacitly understood that conces
sions upon sugar and tobacco export
ed to the United States from Cuba
would be granted. With this under.
standing American capital has gone
into the island and set about restor-
ing the desolated provinces to the de
gree of productiveness of which the
soil is capable. 1t is contended thai
under Dingley tariff rates there viii
be no margin of profit for the producer
In Cuba. The ultimate result of {
rigid policy will be to cause American
capital to withdraw and the condition
of the people of the island to droI
back to that under Spanish dominion
save that the situation will be worse
because the people will have los
heart. Cuba is essentially land OF
sugar and tobacco. These are it's sta
pie line of production as much as corr
and oats and cattle and hogs are sta
pie in Iowa. The final results of thi.
action are inevitable and to be accrlr
ately estimated at this time. The
commercial interests; the Industrial
interests and the bread and butter
interests of the people will simply
compel abandonment of cherished
plans for a separate and distinct ma
ton and the reluctant and forced ap
peal to the United States that the
process of assimilation be expedited
and that Cuba become a part and
parcel of the United States.
Can Party Oppose 1t?
A very prominent and Influential
Iowa official in Washington remark
ed, upon this point: Can the repub
lican party well oppose the grantins
of such a request? And does the re
publican party desire to be placed
in the position of having compelled
Cuba to make this appeal under stress
of starvation and decadence? TIL,
democratic party would ask for no bel
ter campaign material than to be abb,
to show that Cuba was driven to seel
union against the real inclination
of the people of the island as mat
ter of self-preservation, and that il
view of the humanitarian pledges o
this country under a republican ad
ministration. 1t is unquestionabl
the expectation of this government
that eventually-and that day is no
far distant-Cuba will perceive, asid
from starvation considerations, tn
manifest advantages of becoming
part of the United States. While tina
in no sense constituted the motiv