The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-28
SOLE DESIRE OF THIS COUNTRY is
TO SEE CUBA PROSPEROUS.
Under Present Conditions
Would BE Unfortunnte-E1ectiO
Case i'm the House.

position to reciprocity with Cuba. He
charged that the entire reciprocity propa
ganda had been backed by the American
Sugar Refining Company and by Americans
who were interested financially in Cuban
sugar plantations The purpose. he said,
to strike down ar important agricul
tural industry Of this country. He was
willing to join in a general revision of the
tariff to meet changed conditions, but I'M
less the duties on iron and steel and other
products were reduced, together with those
on sugar. in order that the arrangement
might be equitable the sugar growers
would never consent to a reduction on their
product.
Discussing the diplomatic situation of the
Cuban government, Teller expressed the be-
lief that the Plat amendment ought not to
have been adopted by the United States, as
II was violation-''an unnecessary viola
tion"-of good faith on the part of the
United States. He pointed out that Cuba
might make a commercial agreement with
Great Britain for instance, in which the
latter country might have advantages over
the United States. He hoped no such
agreement would be made but Cuba could
make such agreement if it desired. He
said that, Notwithstanding the fact that
thousands of laborers recently had arrived
in Cuba from Spain, labor in the island
was scarce and high priced. In such cir
cumstances there could be, in his judg
ment, great distress.
Referring to the bill passed by the
House, Mr.. Teller said: when the diff
ferential was taken off there was a great
falling off in interest in reciprocity on the
part of the sugar trust"
ION the part of the beet-sugar people,
too" interjected Mr. Spooner. Laughter
No, no." replied Mr.. Teller. I'VE did
not go that far"
He understood that a reciprocity treaty
with Cuba would be presented at the next
session of the Senate.
WOULD REVISE THE TARIFF.
Il am willing TO join you said he, adj
dressing the Republican side. upon gen
eral revision of the tariff, in making a
proper reduction of the tariff, to meet
changed conditions, but I don't propose to
submit to a reduction alone on the only
product of the American farmer that has
any real protection. When you get ready
to take 20 per cent. of duty off steel and
iron 1 speak for my people when 1 say we
will agree to a reduction of the duty on
sugar. We can make all the sugar neces-
sary for the United States in this country
if We are given only equitable protection.
There is a reciprocity in protection that
must be maintained and that we are going
to insist on.
In conclusion, he said the proposed bill
of the committee on relations with Cuba
proceeded on the theory that the United
States could not produce its own sugar.
This, he declared, was unfair to the Amer
lean people
Mr.. Platt, of Connecticut chairman of
the Cuban relations committee, replied TO
the Colorado senator. He maintained that
there was nothing sordid in the desire to
promote reciprocal relations between the
United States and Cuba, and said the MAX
ing of some concessions TO Cuba was a
plain duty of this country. 1t was a duty
which this government owed to itself as
well as to Cuba, because absolutely friend
ly relations with the new republic were
a necessary means of defense to this coun-
try, unless the United States should an
mex the island. That, he hoped would not
be done, as he regarded annexation as a
grave menace TO our institutions.
By effecting reciprocal arrangement
with Cuba the United States would be pro-
tecting itself in one of its most vital points.
said Mr.. Platt He deemed II a defense of
the United States that the government
should make close friends with our nearest
neighbors. He did not dwell upon the COM
mercial aspects of the question but de-
clared there were wonderful opportunities
States trade.
Referring to Mr.. Teller's criticism of the
sugar trust, the Connecticut senator said:
You cannot make this question revolve
around a prejudice against the sugar trust
1t will not down. / am sure IS per cent
Of the people of this country would be HUI
inflated because Congress is going TO ad-
journ without action upon it, The people
however, will not be diverted from their
duty by anything that may be said to OBJ
Scure the real issue.
WOULD MAKE CUBANS HAPPY.
Mr.. Plat said that from the time our
military forces occupied Cuba he had be-
leved that eventually either the United
States must come into such relations with
the Cubans as to produce in them content
ment, prosperity and happiness, or that
we would be obliged to accept an offer
of annexation from a disconnected and I'M
happy people He regarded annexation
as one of the greatest dangers to
the United States. He could think
of no greater menace to the future of this
country. when we annex Cuba, said he
eve shall have taken the first step toward
Generalization, If not the disintegratiOn
of our republican institutions. I think we
have come 10 great crisis in our affairs
We have one plain duty to perform, and
that is that we so treat Cuba as to AXE
her our lasting friend. I stand for perma-
nent republic in Cuba. that is what the
amendment referring to the so-called
/ Platt amendment) meant, which we adopf-
ed" He believed that the best interests
of the United States should leave this gov
eminent to form close commercial and
/ political relations with Cuba, to the end
! that no necessity would exist for annexa-
/ ton
! In a brief reply to Mr.. Platt's statement.
| Mr.. Teller referred 10 his expressed fear
/ of annexation as baby cry and a
] childish attack on those who differed fror,
/ him the question of reciprocity lie
/ declared that question had been started
4 in the interest of the great American sugar
/ trust and that the people had been de-
ceved regarding the question by the DIR
( chased newspapers Of this country Re
ferring TO the pending legislation Mr. Tel
Ter said, after haunting Mr. Platt for NOT
bringing a bill into the Senate at this ses.
/ sion:
1--WE are prepared to take the bill as i,
came from the House and We will take ii
now
The District of Columbia augmentation
! bill was disposed of finally, were several
! other less important measures.
4 joint resolution appropriating 500 COZ
/ for a monument to prison ship MARTYRS ia
/ be erected al Fort Green BROOKLYN y
! Y. was passed. II provides that the ap-
I preparation of 100000 shall be made on con
/ oitiOn that an additional 100000 shall Ia
! raised the work 10 be done under direc-
| ton Of the secretary Of war, the Governor
/ of New York and the mayor of New York
/ city.
/ \ joint resolution was passed providing
/ for the printing Of 100000 copies OF the
memorial address Of the late President Nc
/ I<inley delivered by Secretary Hay.
PHILIPPINE BILL CONFEREES.
The Senate disagreed TO the House amend.
ment TO the Philippine bin and asked fol
a conference, the conferees named being
Messrs. Lodge. Allison and Culberson.
A resolution was adopted authorizing the
committee on Territories to sit during the