The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1902-07-26
THE CUBAN PROBLEM.
Congressman Newlands' Plan for Annexation
of the Island.

given careful study and though to the
subject Of Cuban annexation think it
will be one of the serious problems con-
fronting them in the next session, for
Cuba declare that much uneasiness is
being manifested among the business
men there in considering the future sue
cess and prosperity of the new republic,
which is greatly aggravated by the fall
ure of this government to establish re-
ciprocal relations with the Cuban people
The majority of the commercial element
have for many years favored annexation
TO this country and during the hearing
before the Ways and Means Committee
last winter on the question of a reduction
of the tarif the Cuban delegates, Seniors
Mendozt and Place, who really repre-
sented the business interests of the is
land, announced themselves as being
heartily IN favor of annexation
Now that the heady enthusiasm result
ing from the establishment of the repub-
lie has died away and men are figuring
on it's future in a financial and not a
sentimental sense, grave doubts are ex-
pressed as to the possible stability of the
republic much of which is in consequence
of the precedents heretofore set by the
history of other South American repub-
lies.
Where dissatisfaction will first occur is
from the laboring classes. 1t is feared
They are now receiving higher wages
than they ever dreamed of in the days of
Spanish tyranny and 1t is certain that
under existing conditions a great re-
duction in these wages will have to be
made.
In discussing the subject of the Cuban
annexation today Representative Francis
@ Newlands. of Nevada, who introduced
resolutions early in the session inviting
Cuba to become a part of the United
States. first as an organized territory
usder the Constitution with the assur-
ance of ultimate Statehood. said
Il have never doubted that Cuba would
b. in distress unless the price of sugar
advanced or she was enabled to receive
IN some degree the advantage OF the in
creased price paid by the American con-
sumer as the result of our tariff. The
difficulty with Cuba is that her large
plantations are and have been, heavily
mortaged for years, and that the rescue
j., of the sugar planters from general H.
quotation depends upon their receiving
an increased price for sugar.
This liquidation will probably take
place during the coming year and these
large estates will be sold The mere
change of ownership of the plantations
as the result of the Indebtedness OF their
owners could do no great injury were 1t
not for the consequent disturbance in
the employment of labor
During the last session the wages Of
labor increased very nearly so per cent
as the result of the extraordinary de-
mand for laborers on sugar plantations,
and they will undoubtedly feel the drop
in wages caused by changed conditions,
and have no doubt that the new COVER
n2ent there will encounter a very severe
trial. The revenues from the islands will
probably be diminished, salaries will be
largely decreased and the public schols
and municipal and sanitary work tending
TO health and cleanliness will doubtless
suffer"
Mr.. Newlands expressed deep regret
that Congress did not take some action
tding over the existing difficulties until
Cuba could have had time for deliber-
alton and action undisturbed by economic
distress. He argues that his belief has
always been that a political union with
the United States would accomplish great
commercial results for Cuba as annex
alton would be lasting and would involve
the most profitable form of commercial
relations.
Political union" remarked Mr. New
lands. means free trade, and this would
give Cuba over $4,000, 900 more annually
Tor her sugar crop than she at present
receives. 1t was with this view that very
early i'm the session L introduced my res