The Washington times., 1902-07-01

not waged Tor conquest or aggraEdize-
mcnt. known rs the Teller amendment,
Cuba would tcdey be a part of the
United States. just as Porto Rico and
the Philippines are. This amendment
las proved both mischievors and un-
wise. There was no need OF the United
States. On the eve of war. declaring
what it would or would not do during
or following the war. Wise men, and
a nation governed by wise men, in en-
tcrirg upon great transactions should
never make unnecessary declarations
and pledges.
Annexation Logical.
When Cuba shall become part of the
American Unicn and the Isthmian Canal
shall be completed, which is now as
sured. Porto Rico, Cuba. Hawaii, and
the Philippines viii be the outposts Of
the great Republic, standing guard over
American interests in the track OF the
worlds commerce in its triumphant
march around the globe. Our people will
soon see and feel that these island pos
sessions belonging to the United States
are natural anu logical and in the great
Dart we are TO play i'll the affairs OF
the world we would not only mot give
them M. but wonder how in the work
ing cut Of our national destiny we could
get on without them. This splendid
chain OF island possessions, reaching
half around the world, would not be
complete without Cuba. the gem OF the
Antilles.
The provisions CT the act of Congress
demanding that Cuba insert the c0ndi-
tons in her constitution, commonly
known as the Platt amendments, pre-
vent Cuba frem being an entirely free
and independent nation. We have put
Upon her conditions which may, in a
sense. be tc the mutual interest If both
Countries. but while insuring a certain
security TO Cuba, makes her, in effect. a
dependent n5kicn, and as Ions as these
conditions s:hnd rs part OF our laws and
imbedded in hcT constitution she can
never be free and independen nation.
This furnishes one of the reasons why
her people will prefer giving up ma
tionai existence and becoming part of
the Great Republic.
Relations With Cuba.
"The question of annexation forces IT
self to the front and will claim from now
on the attention of the people of both
countries. This is in the very nature Of
things and grows out OF cur past and
present relations with Cuba. Reciprocity
with Cuba affords no adequate remedy
for what threatens her interests. A
20 per cent reduction in her tariff and
ours will do Cuba as a people or a
government little or no good. while IL
will work great harm to the interests ol
the United States. 1t is said that boil
General Wood and President Palma have
stated that 20 per cent reduction will
not help Cuba. They have never claimed
that annexation would not be helpful tc
the people OF Cuba.
Mr.. President, l wish to deta!n the
Senate by drawing 10 its attention soma
Of the remarks made by the distinguish
ed Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Plattl
on Friday last, il relation to our duty
to Cuba, and the necessity Of keeping
her friendship and extending our trade
with her people. 1t was in the debate
between the Senator from Connecticut
(Mr. Plato and the Senator from Colo
rado (Mr. Teller.
Cannot Agree With Mr.. Platt.
'I nearly always agree with the SEN
ator from Connecticut ard follow him;
he commands the respect, confidence,
and high regard of his associates; he
forces conviction by his superb ability
and sound Judgment. ! find, however,
on the Cuban question that cannot
agree with him. In his remarks he says
there is no place in the world where we
can so surely extend and increase our
trade as Cuba, but the question Is. OF
what terms. Our trade must not be in
creased there at the expense of Ameri-
can interests; we must not pay tco dear
for trade with Cuba.
we tried reciprocity with Canada and
gave ii up; she is a much better custom
er than Cuba is or ever can be. Cuba
should prefer Us TO all other nations in
the matter OF trade relations and every
thing else He looks upon the acquisi-
tion of Cuba with alarm; he SAYS We
must either make her our warm friend.
make her Independent, or acquire her,
which would re peril to the country.
Cuba Should Be Friendly.
Now. Mr. President. what more on
earth can We do fer Cuba to make her
cur friend? Why this seeking after
friendship with a country for which we
have done everything in the world
II her government lasts a thousand
years and does thousand acts of good
ness to US every day. she cannot pay us
off and discharge her obligations, and 1
cannot understand this strange desire to
have the friendship Of Cuba. I do not
know where 1t e.naDates. It is like the
hystcria previous TO the Spanish war
which possessed the public mind. But
we owe Cuba nothing in fact. She owes
US everything.
THE Senator further said:
% I regard that. Nr. President, as the
greatest peril which today besets cur
Government. ! can think OF no future
danger TO be so much apprehended as
that. When We begin to annex to our
country foreign territories with foreign
inhabitants alien to our
race, to our habits, TO our ustoms. to
cur traditions, and 10 our institutions.
with the near certainty that statehood
is to follow, we shall have taken the
g zi-azlz E2E