New-York tribune., 1902-02-21
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
CUBA'S FRIENDS AND FOES.
SHALL THIS COUNTRY STAND BY THE
PRESIDENT AND HONOR, OR FOL-
Low OXNARD TO DISGRACE?
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: During the last week the Cuban tariff situa-
ton in Congress has developed in a way which
causes dismay TO many loyal members of the Re
publican party. In view of the fact that Presi-
dent Roosevelt had urged upon Congress that the
honor and good name of country require that
just and equitable tariff concessions be made to
the Cubans, who will be commercially ruined un-
less such concessions are speedily made; that
Secretary Root has most emphatically seconded
the words Of his chief; that General Wood asserts
that the Cubans already the brink of
starvation. and that relief must be given at once
If terrible suffering is TO be averted-in view of
these facts il felt that Congress would recos-
nize the moral necessity of humane treatment for
the people whom sword has helped to Hberate
The Ways and Means Committee of the House of
Representatives has not responded to the Presf-
dents appeal Indeed it appears that 1t is
proposing a decidedly different course. 1t turns
a deaf to the urgent requests of the honored
head of the nation and the representations Of
General Wood. the one man who is more init
mately acquainted with the Cuban situation than
any else, and after listening to the impudent
threats of Oxnard, the beet sugar and the
tobacco growers of the Connecticut Valley it
weakly yields and, If common report is correct, Is
intending to force through Congress an internal
revenue reduction bill so radical as to furnish an
excuse for refusing Cuba any relief in the way of
reducing tariff her products. The con-
science Of this nation Will not tamely submit to
such a wrong. Senator Patt. of Connecticut a
loyal Repub1Can ana StdnCn pTOleClOhlSI- HoiS
already made a vigorous protest. in spite or the
threats of the tobacco raisers of his own State-a
protest which does him honor. Other prominent
Republicans strongly condemn the course Of the
Ways and Means Committee. contending that no
party can with impunity pursue a course Whlch
insults the dignity Of the nation and wounds lls
on the one side stands President Roosevelt. the
true leader, not merely OF the Republican party
a brotheriy hand the STRUGGLING people whom the
blood of brave has just baptized into
the tobacco growers say in substance: NO, let
them Starye. What are they to u.s. what It's is
party ATTEMPT 70 diminish our proits and we will
wreck It, Patriotism means dollars in our pock-
The Republican party should accept this cha-
lenge fearlessly 1t cannot afford to do otherwise
is 4soT9 % h9foF qeS9R b & foey GI tba
Washington strove, that Lincoln died? Can We
monstrous a crime against humanity, What
then 6ee9mT3 $50 OF % oqr fine b s m of Sd @
shall stand naked to the scorn and contempt OF
posed, and Inundated even in own eyes Now
whom will the Republican party follow In this
crisis-Theodore Roosevelt who risked his life for
a people not his own, or Oxnard. who values MS
persona! gain beyond the good name of his own
word, and the thousands of citizens who love
support and sweep tho timid and the mercenary
from their path in their irresistible advance.
This is time for soft words. The members
of the Ways and Means Committee, in their short
they about TO infct on their own party nor
the tremendous storm of popular indignation
which is sure burst upon them unless they
alter their course. The Republican party can i'll
afford take counsel of the weak the timid
the selfish. To be true to its honorable past to be
true to its aspirations for the future no less hon
orabe. it must Loyalty support its greater men
and wiser leaders Roosevelt. Root and O. II. Platt
To their support will rally all that is best and
truest in ma t!onal life.
In conclusion; | wish 70 commend the patriotic
and right minded attitude of The Tribune in this
momentous crisis and to hope that It's powerful
Influence may be vigorously used IN urging the
Republican party to seize this great opportunity
to vtndiCate our national good name
WILLIAM BUCKINGHAM AIKEN.
Norwich. Conn. Feb II. 1902.