The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-07-16


CUBAN RECIPROCITY UNDER Nc
KINLEY LAW.
Cuba had reciprocity with US under
the Mckinley law. She thoroughly un-
derstandS this subject, and the advan-
tages which will accrue to the island
under such policy. The Mckinley law
was not popular in this country until
after it was repealed, and then the peo-
pie hastened to put in power again the
party that was responsible for its enact
ment. This was done when its author
was elected president of the United
States, and the Dingley law was placed
on the statute books as the consumma-
ton of the pledge made to the people af-
ter the Mckinley law was repealed.
Mckinley reciprocity is popular in
Cuba. for under it the people of the
island were enabled to sell their pro-
ducts in this country at a profit, and
thus could purchase from other coun-
tries what they did not themselves pro-
duce.
The >Cubans should not be censured
for wishing reciprocity with this coun-
try any more than we for preferring the
Dingley law to the Wilson-Gorma law.
We have had prosperity and content
ment under the one; and adversely, and
want, under the other.
McKINLEY'S PROMISE TO THE
CUBANS.
When it became evident to the Cuban
people that the United States would
carry out the pledge given that
upon the restoration of peace and the
esta adjustment of government in Cuba,
the island would be left to the control
of its own people, the Cubans appealed
to us at every opportunity for reciproc-
ity with this country. When we made
it as a condition of the withdrawal OF
our army that the Platt amendraent
should be adopted by the Cuban con-
vention, they readily agreed to our de-
mand, provided reciprocity arrange
ment was consummated at the same
time. President Mckinley informed the
Cuban commission that he had no au-
thority to make such an agreement,
but that the amendment must be adopt
ed without modification or change.
However, he said to the commission
that he would recommend to congress
the making of such a reciprocity ar
rangement, and would use his influence
to secure the enactment of the desired
legislation.
There has been no objection in Cuba to
the re-establishment of reciprocal trade
relations with the United States: There
should be no objection in this country.
We had such relations under the Nc
Kinley law, when we were not RESPONSE
BILE for the future of Cuba, and while
she was colony of Spain. After the
abrogation of the reciprocity arrange
ment, the Republican national conven-
ton in 1896 referred to the repeal of
this and other reciprocity arrangements
as "a national calamity" and demand
ed their renewal and extension" Under
this declaration. no Republican should
object to the renewal and extension of
the reciprocity agreement with Cuba.
even though we had not assumed re-
sponsibility for the future of the island
If we had such an arrangement before
the war; which was satisfactory to
Cuba and the United States, and our
party platform demanded its renewal
and extension, certainly nothing should
now arise to prevent carrying out this
policy. We should see that Cuba, which
we wrested from Spanish rule, shall not
1,oy Tod frr ro1 nt~6 inc int a
condition Similar to that which existed
before the war with Spain.
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT'S PLEDGE
There has been no intention desire
among the leaders of the Republican
party to shirk responsibility on this
question. President Mckinley made the
promise that he would recommend to
congress the esta blishment of reciproci
tv with Cuba. AS a step in that direc-
ton, he went to Buffalo and made his
last speech, which was largely on the
subject of reciprocity. The assassin's
bullet ended the career of that greatest
statesman of modern times, but his
worthy successor, in the pledge made
when he took the oath of office, declared
that it was his intention to carry out
unbroken the policies of William Nc
Kinley Conscientiously has he kept the
faith and endeavored to carry out that
pledge so solemnly mace. He recon-
mended the legislation in his annual
message last December.
WHATWAS DONE IN CONGRESS ON
RECIPROCITY.
The committee on ways and means
early began the considerat ton of the
question. Hearings were given and
continued until volume of 166 pages
was required to contain all that was
presented on the subject. The question
was then considered for some days BY
the Republican members of the COM
| mittee. It was submitted to confer
.ence of the Republicans of the house
Five such conferences were held, ana
finally, by large majority, the COM
mittee on ways and means was directed
procity with Cuba The bill was pre-
pared and reported to the house. After
| full consideration the measure was
passed by the house. 1t went to tbs
senate 1t rem aimed there some weeks
| being considered in committee. Finally
| President Roosevelt sent special mes
sage to congress again urging the pas
sage of the measure A conference OF
Republican senators was held, and ill
| that conference 10 Republican senators
stated that they would not vote for the
| bill in the senate. Thirty-six Republican
| senators favored the passage of the bill
| The doctrine that the majority should
rule was disregarded, and the attempt
| to pass the bill at the last session was
abandoned.
| The bill is still pending in the senate
and will come up for consideration at
| the next session. Reciprocity with Gu
ba will be accomplished either by bill
| or treaty, unless the 19 senators who
| forced the postponement at the last
| session shall persist in their course.
| OBJECTIONS TO CUBAN REC1-
PROCITY.
| It is a pertinent question to inquire
what are the objections to this measure.
| so strongly urged by President Roose-
| velt, and which has the support of a
| majority of the Republicans in the
house and senate.
1t has been said that this is a new
| kind of reciprocity-different from the
| reciprocity championed by Blaine. We
| are informed that reciprocity as advo-
vocated by Mr.. Blaine was the admis
| sion into this market duty-free of arti-
| cles which we do not or cannot pro
duce, in exchange for foreign market
| for our products.
OF course if we confine reciprocity to
articles which we do not or cannot pro-
duce in this country, then we abandon