The Washington times., 1902-07-01
Continued from Second rage.)

CONTINUED from Second raye)
the earlier statesmen favored it and
looked forward to its certain consum-
nation.
Jefferson said:
d" I cana:dly confess that l have ever
looked on Cuba as the most interesting
addition which could be made 10 our
system OF States
. President Polk in 1Sis offered $780,
0O9. Geo for Cuba.
1T is known that President Pierce fa-
yored the acquisition of Cuba and ir-
shucted MIR. Buchanan, minister o
Spain. in 1854 to take up the subject
with European governments. Their
conclusions were incorporated in what
is known as the Ostend manifesto; they
urged the purchase Of the island Of Cuba
from Spain for $i20. .Go0. 800. and stated
that they regarded tho island as neces-
sary 70 the United States ard the sale
advantageous to Spain.
Tine Now opportune
Tie Democratic platfcr1a CT 1850 fa-
yored the acquisition of Cuta.
"Discucsion and agitation were delayed
on account Of the fear that if annexed
il would extend the area of slavery and
increase the slave power in the Govern
ment. Garfield and Blaine had a2nexa-
tion in mind in the beginning of the Gar
field Administration. and it was their
purpose 10 make the acquisition OF
Cuba ore Of the aims os the Garfield Ad-
ainistra;ion. At that time $200, ,0o0, ,0G0
was not regarded as too much to pay
Spain FOR Cuba.
Garfield, few days before the dast-
ardiy shot Of the assassin which too'5
away his life, pointing to a map in the
Cabinet room said TO friend:
:" 20 YOU know that Cuba is right at
our doors. and farther west than Fits
burg. and don't you think her acquisi-
tion would be q great thing for our
country
president Mckinley, speaking TO the
Cuban commissioners who came to
Washington to lcok after the question
of defining the relations between the
two countries, said:
." If you only were member of the
family, how easy 1t would all be
After nearly a century OF waiting. the
time seems oppcrtune now to carry into
effect the well-defned wishes of ma
jority Of the people of Cuba and the
| United States in regard to annexation.
No sufficient reason can be urged against
annexation 1t is to the interest Of
both countries.
Advantages of Union.
THE environment of Cuba. a small
country. right under the shadow of the
Great Republic, with the trials and DIFF
hculties that beset her on The threshold
CT her national life. these and other
| things stand in the way of her being long
IN Independent nation while as State
in the american Union her people would
be prosperous and progressive; the pro-
ducts Of her soil. the richest on earth,
would fqd ready market at home ami
abroad; her people would become citi-
zens of the Great Republic. an honor
greater than being Roman citizens in
| the best days OF the Roman Empire. and
| enjoy the liberty and all the blessings
| that would flow from being part Of The
| best, greatest, and freest Government
| In the world
After annexation the products Of Cuba
would not come into hurtful competi-
| ton with those of the United States.
Free trade among the States has never
| lowered the price OF labor or worked in
| jury to American interests. Wherever
| our flag floats the price OF labor ad
vances. Under our immigration laws
this would soon be the case in Cuba. and
the price of labor in both countries
would be the same for the same work.
Would Aid Rset Sugar.
1T is claimed that annexation would
destroy the promising and growing beet
sugar industry Of the United States.
Not so, however. The price Of products
among the States of the Union always
seeks an equilibrium. With proper pro-
lection in favor Of the cane sugar OF
Cuba. which she win enjoy as a State,
and the beet sugar of the United States.
within fifteen years the United States
would not only produce enough sugar
for it's own consumption, but largely
compete with other countries in the
markets of the world.
But for the war with Spain. although
so successful and glorious, Cuba would
now be part Of the United States. Be
fore the declaration Of war. at the in
stance Of the United states. Spain
granted the armistice on Jhe island de-
manded by the Cuban insurgents. Pres
.dent Mckinley. in his great desire to
avert the war, worked hard 20 secure
this result. and think if the armistice
had come 4 week earlier or President
Mckinley could have had thirty days
longer he would, through peaceful nego-
. riations. have induced Spain to surren-
der sovereignty over Cuba and Porto
Rico
at was clear that only through the in
tc-vention OF the United States by
peaceful means or war could the people
o. Cuba ever have hoped TO end Spanish
rule OF the island. Nothing short of
the annexation OF Cuba would have
justified the United States in interven-
ing and paying Spain s2O0. 600 .000 for the
island The people of Cuba would have
welcomed annexation, as it offered the
Guly escape from Spanish domination
On the island.
C-iticises Teller Amen lncnt.
Even with the war. had It not been
for our declaration that tie war was
iEsZ Il
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