Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-03-20
VcTIM OF A FAKE.
Senator Proctor's Position As To
Cuban Annexation Wilfully Dis


Sbbdh rNtNhGN1AtSH
torted.
The following letter from Senator
Proctor appeared in Saturdays Free
Press -
United States Senate, March II.
To the Editor of The Free Press;
have seen in many papers what
purports to be letter written by me
and its publication credited to the
Richford Gazette. That letter reads as
follows;
Replying to your request of the
18th inst. will say that believe the
real solution Of the Cuban question Is
in annexation. have always favored
that proposition, and my investigation
OF the condition of that unfortunate
people four years ago made me a firm
friend OF annexation. Instead OF favor
ing duties we should make Cuba a
part OF our great republic, with re-
strictiye conditions
February 26th | wrote the Richford
Gazette asking them to send me the
letter which il was claimed was writ
ten by me, but received no reply. Later
| sent the following despatch
please inform me il you ever re-
ceived letter from me favoring Cuban
annexation2 Your answer is prepaid.
Please reply Immediately
This was answered as follows:
Letter from somebody and as
your name was attached supposed il
came from YOU. Letter and signature
were typewritten. Mailed from Wash
ington. Evidently somebody fooled
us. (signed) Richford Gazette
As the Gazette had never written me
a request for my views, il seemed sin
gular that the editor should not see
/ that | would not begin a letter Reply
ling to your request, when ! had re
I ceived no request, and | do not sign
my letters by typewriter. The purport-
ed letter was not written by me, l.
entirely fake and is a misstatement
OF my views in all respects. On my
return from Cuba tour years ago, this
was all said about annexation 80
am not in favor of annexation; not
that would apprehend any particular
4 trouble from il, but because Ii Is moi
wise policy to take in any people o.
foreign tongue and training, and with
out any strong guiding American ele'
ments."
But if the objection stated in tina
sentence were removed there are othel
reasons why we cannot now properly
advocate annexation. we have prom
ised Cuba independence. Her gov
9rnment is soon TO be inangarated
) We must keep our promise strictly antC
and give her fair opportunity for sci
government. SO long as she complies
with the requirements of the Plat
amendment we hive no right to inter
tere in her affairs. II she succeeds II
establishing a stable and well conduc
ted self government and her people
are satisfied with il we have no coca
sion to interfere. Ii at any time in th'
I future they think it desirable to be
come a part of this country they WI
say SO, and then it is for us to decide
whether we wish 10 receive them into
the Union or not. Ii is plainly TO-
them TO say first that they wish z
come. Until they express that wlsl
il does not come with good grace iron
us. and il is not tair in view OF our pro
mise TO them, to talk about annexation
1t is neituer good moraIs, good man
ners, nor good politics. We must mrs
, give them the fair chance for self gov
eminent we have guaranteed; and U
bring any pressure to bear upon then
or 70 advocate annexation until the,
ask for it is. to say the least premature
and tends to defeat its purpose.
Very respectfully yours,
REDFIELD PROCTOR.