The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-08-19
SENATOR ELkINs ON CUBA.

Senator Elkins enters into an elab-
crate defense of his action in offering
a resolution in the senate in favor OF
Cuban annextioan. The defense has been
published in these columns, and it is as
shrewd and shifty document as might
be expected from the campaign man
ager Of the late James G. Blaine. But
1t is a defense which begs the question
at issue from it's first sentence to it's
last.
It may be that Cuba would be better
off in every way as component state
of the American Union. 1t may be, in
deed, that the most powerful interests
bring about annexation, and yet the
presentation to Cuba at this time of
the proposal for annexation from an
American source is none the less UNI
timely, in bad taste and a national re-
Election on the action of that people in
setting up an independent government
of their own. But coming on the heels
of the refusal of the American con-
gress to make vitality necessary trade
concessions to Cuba, the adoption of
meaning and that the expression of
desire on the part of this people
through their national authority to CO.
cree Cuba into accepting the political
connection which Senator Elkins says
is demanded by her people.
The Cuban people are supposed to
possess intelligence enough to ask for
annexation to the United States if they
regard such action as desirable. But,
why urge it on them at this time, as
Senator Elkins' resolution seeks to do?
Here is the answer of the author of
that resolution:
There is a tendency in all human af
fairs-in government, trade and commerce
to concentration and combination. Mete-
orS go to the sun; small nations are be-
coming parts of great nations, and Cuba,
in her present environment, situated as
she is, cannot be expected to resist this
tendency Thoughtful and intelligent peo-
pie, both in Cuba and the United States,
believe that it is manifest destiny that
Cuba should become part of the United
States. Why not anticipate the sure
workings of time and do now what the
people of both nations will welcome later
on with joy, unanimity and enthusiasm?
Now is the most opportune time for an
strains her credit to start in the race
of national life and before the United
States, in order to further: help Cuba,
makes more sacrifices, either by aban-
doning her economic traditions and
breaking down the policy of protection.
which has brought such great prosperity
and success to our people, or otherwise.
Senator Elkins reveals himself alto
gether too clearly here. Now is the
time for annexation, not later, after
the people have had opportunity to
existence. This is the attitude of the
entire busy clique that has been at
work from the outset to force Cuba
into the arms of this republic. The
Teller amendment was a powerful in
f1uence in putting a stop to that move
ment. Without the Teller amendment
serious doubt will always exist whether
Cuba would ever have been allowed to
assume her present position as an in
dependent nation. That she would new
er have done so if the influence of
those for whom Senator Teller speaks
could prevent has long been beyond
all serious question.
Senator Elkins speaks of annexa-
ton as representing Cuba's inevitable
destiny. 1t may. But the making of
their own destiny has become entrusted
to the Cuban people through their own
valor and devotion to liberty, assisted
by the action of this people. 1t is with
IN the scope of national and interna-
tional decency that they should be al
lowed now and hereafter to decide the
course of their own destiny without
any suggestion on our part. We have
discharged benefcent task in setting
the young Cuban republic on the road
to prosperity and independence There
| are many ways by which we can re-
| call our action, and not the least indie
| cent and unwarrantable is that chosen
by invitations to Cuba on the very
threshold of her entrance into nation
hood and while beset by the most diff
fcult of national problems, to surrender
her national existence and merge it in
| that of this republic.