New-York tribune., 1902-07-01
CUBAN DEBATE IN SENATE.
MIR. ELKINS SPEAKS IN FAVOR OF AN
NEXATION
MR.. PLATr AND MR.. HANNA EMPHATICALLY
DISSENT FROM HIS VIEWS.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
Washington. June so.-No single member of either
branch OF Congress contributed more decisively to
the defeat of Cuban reciprocity legislation in the
session just ending than Senator Stephen B. Elkins
of West Virginia 1t is much. perhaps, TO
say that without the aid of his influence and en-
ergy the Boxer coalition in the Senate would
have been doomed to a speedy and inglOrious dsso-
luton. To-day the West Virginia Senator deliv-
cred contemptuous funeral Grafton the corpse
far the Senate's inactivity has made 1t a
corpse-of the reciprocity programme. Mr.. Elkins
spoke on his own resolution for the annexation of
Cuba and its admission State into the Ameri-
can Union. In the present state of sentiment in
Cuba such an argument could hardly fail to serve
the ungracious purpose of rubbing salt into freshly
opened wounds. Nor to opinion in this Country
could the West Virginia Senator's anxiety for the
ultimate absorption of Cuba furnish very convinc-
ing reasons for his persistence IN opposing that
measure of mutual concession and helpfulness
which conditions make possible now. Both Mr..
Platt of Connecticut. and Mr.. Hanna, of Ohio,
took occasion to emphasize-the former especially
for the benefit of the Cuban public-ther utter dis
from Mr.. Elkins's view. To Cubans Mr.
Platt sought to give the timely assurance that
nexation has part In this country's policy tow
ard the republic. while Mr. Hanna plainly
gave notice that the Republican party still stands
by President McKinley's generous and honorable
programme of tariff concessions to Cuba and will
at the next possible opportunity seek again to
carry that programme into practical effect.
SPEECH OF SENATOR ELKINS.
Mr. Elkins said that his resolution had been mis-
understood. 1t had bearing Cuban reciprocity
and intended o have any. 1t simply
voiced in concrete form his Judgment that Cuba
ought 10 be annexed the United States. and the
sooner the better for both countries The resou-
tion did not suggest annexation OF Cuba In
offensive way. II provided that the Cubans must
take the initiative. and only after they had asked
for annexation could the United States act. He
thought the present Opportune time ito
carry into effect the well defined wishes of
joriy of the people of Cuba and the United States
in regard to annexation" He continued in part
follows:
After annexation the products of Cuba would not
come into hurtfnl competition with those of the
never lowered the price OF labor or worked injury
price OF labor advances 1t is claimed that annexa
tion would dest oy the promising and growing beet
eyer The price OF products among the States S OF
preper in favor OF tSe rane sugar Of
Cuba which she will enjoy as state. and the beet
United States would not only produce enough sugar
for its consumption. but largely compete with
otfsF fe eet of II the enf fa % be
remain @ half free and half dependent; such con-:
dition embarrasses healthy progress & in national
the genius and intelligence OF a people in the
of @ hesa mps under
The question of annexation forces itself to the
he peope @Tf w
Cuba affords adequate remedy for what
threatens her interests. 20 per cent reduction
in her tarifr and will do Cuba as people or
a government little good. while II will work
great harm to the interests of the United States.
Mr. Elkins In closing. said too much had been
said about what owed to Cuba and how much
depended on relations with the island. He
added:
Our able Secretary Of War who conquers with
his cold and frosty intellect. and never had a hot
thought never swayed by passion in his life.
deliberately wrote down these words in his report
THE peace Of Cuba is necessary to the peace of
the United States" Now. who on earth believes
that?
He continued TO ridcule the idea. which, he said.
permeated statements in the Senate. saying that 1t
was 'extravagant talk and 1t everywhere. 1t
is all through the country. 1t is an epidemic.
REPLIES OF SENATORS PLATT AND HANNA.
| Mr. Platt OF Connecticut. while he disclaimed any
intention OF replying In extenso TO the gentleman
| remarks said that the Cubans might not under
| stand that Mr. EIkins In his resolution and I'm his
remarks represented only his personal opinioo