The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-07-08

men present the matter in light that
deserve most careful consideration
Il want to invite careful attention to
the question as presented by the presi-
dent in his special message, for in my
opinion, no one has presented it so ably,
and also refer to the arguments of the
distinguished senator from Connecticut,
and know it will not be tediNls for
me to quote extensively from them.
QUOTES THE PRESIDENT.
1.-THE president said: The granting of
reciprocity with Cuba is a proposition
which stands entirely alone. The rea-
sons for it far outweigh those for
granting reciprocity with any other ma
tion.'
'And again: We are concerned with
getting a friendly reciprocal arrange
n1ent with Cuba This arrangement APP
plies to all the articles that Cuba grows
or produces. 1t is not in our power to
determine what these articles shall be,
and any discussion Of the tariff as it
affects such schedules of countries 9TH
er than Cuba is wholly aside from the
subject-matter to which 1 call your at
tion,
"Thus you will see how strongly he
emphasizes the fact that reciprocity
with Cuba is EXCEPTIONAL
The speaker continued to quote from
the presidents message to emphasize
our duty to Cuba.
In his comments on the presidents
appeal for Cuba the speaker said:
This is a most touching and power
| full appeal, it may be the highest wis
! dom, I do not know, after events will
| tell. But nobody will complain of me
| nor accuse me of criticising the presi-
| dents arguments when 1 venture to
| suggest that the greater part of the
message seems to be on the side Of
| Cuba. The plea seems to be along the
| line OF some great debt that We owe
that new republic Never before in all
| the political history of the country car
| there be found such a striking argu-
| ment in favor of that divine injunction,
1t is more blessed to give than to re-
ceive.' True it is that we have spent
millions of our money to make Cuba
| free, we have given up cur blood and
| our treasure to an alien race, and we
gave it without any hope of reward
| save the consciousness of having done
our duty. 1t is the only time in the
| history of nations when such generous
act has been performed, and I am the
| last one now to advise any course on
the part of my country that will in any
| way minimize our glory in what we
have done for that people,"
| Senator Burton then quoted from
Senator Platt concerning our position
toward Cuba.
OUR DUTY TO CUBA.
From the foregoing it will be seen
how exceptional is Cuban reciprocity.
According to the argument, we can not
depend upon all that we have done for
Cuba to keep that power friendly. We
must do more. We must enter into
such intimate political and economic re-
lations with her as to place her practic-
ally on a level with our island posses
sions. And we must go further, and act
with all haste. Notwithstanding the
government is on a solid foundation
with income that IS ample, notwith-
well paid, Notwithstanding that hun
dreds of thousands, yea, millions OF
American, German. English and French
capital is pouring in there for invest
= ,<-4,
fertile spot on the. face of the globe
capable of producing everything that
can be grown in a tropical or semi
tropical country, and capable of grow
ing If her interests were diversified, as
they ought to be, great many things
that our country could not produce
| Still in order to keep her friendly an6
prevent the necessity of forcible OF
reduce our tariff upon her products and
especially the tariff on one product
namely, sugar in such a way as te
threaten the growth of that industry in
testimony of those engaged therein; and
| as a great many think, in such a way
as will not inure to the substantial ben.
eft of Cuba, but more particularly tt
the material benefit of a great corpora.
ton in this country and the spectators
who have rushed and are rushing in tc
buy the Cuban lands.
But both the president and the distin-
| guiShed senator from Connecticut place
it upon higher grounds than mere profit
and their arguments deserve and will re-
ceive more careful consideration by the
entire country
IT have thought that the very best SER
| vice that we could possibly render Cuba
was to say to her, We have driven Spair
| from your islands, we have made you
| free We charge you nothing for all we
| have done, but now you must learn and
practice the invaluable lesson of self re.
lance. We will protect you from any for
eign interference. We will aid you IN
| every way in our power, but not at the
expense of our own products. Responding
to a generous Indignation against the
| tyranny of Spain we used our blood and
| our treasure without any hope of reward
| to make you free. That was sentiment
that was a gift, generously given. Agar
under the inspiration of that divine com
mand which says, Inasmuch as you have
done it unto the least of these, my breth
rem, We have done It unto me-
IS But now, when it comes to dealing
with you on business lines, we will dea
with you in accordance with cuisines:
| principles.
q The laws Of trade are we'll known
Economic principles have nothing to d.
with political principles. and the same Law
of trade that would guide in making a re
ciproca1 trade relation with France, witt
Argentine, with Ecuador, or any othel
foreign power, will control US when W,
come to make a reciprocal trade will
| Cuba