The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-15
SHOT FROM STEVENS
Minnesota Congressman Attacks
Cuban Reciprocity Bill.
WHOLE GOSPEL OF 'INsURGENTs'
Summary and Forcible Presentation
of All That Can BE Said
for Beet Sugar.
rreh The .,o.rna1 bureau, Roam Is. Pos.

Building, Washington. =
Washington, April Representative
F. G. Stevens of st. Paul made his set
speech on the Cuban bill in the house late
yesterday afternoon. 1t was probably the
strongest presentation of the "insurgent''
side of the controversy that has yet been
made or will be. Mr.. Stevens said:
The pending bill occupies rather anamal-
Gus position. 1t Is proposed by the ways and
means committee. the majority of which
strongly oppose any other measure of tariff
modification, and 1t is supported by free
trade democratic element which will vote for
any modification Of any tariff schedule.
The gill is also opposed by some democrats
ments. One that opposes any changes what
ever in the tariff, the other desiring modifca-
tons affecting items relating to large inter-
ests. such as iron and STEEL wood pulp, ETC.,
and resisting the passage of this bill until
such notifications be made.
The biz issalso opposed by some democrats
who favor limited protection, and by others
who believe in free trade with intermedi-
ate steps,
bill for three reasons: First, the sentimental
ons, because the United States should start
Its ward, Cuba, as an Independent nation
prosperous and able to perform its govern
mental functions, and because the present
price of sugar, the main crop of Cuba, is ST
low In the markets of the world, that Cubar
| merchants and planters are threatened witt
bankruptcy; second upon the further ground
| because the Platt amendment was adopted b,
| the Cuban convention and thereby proving
our obligations as to trade relations are out
standing. Such promises are disputed. N
| one except congress can make promises affect
| ing the fiscal policy of the United States
again the Platt amendment benefited Cub
! fully as much as the United States heca,ls
the reciprocity proposed by this bill, woult
| be Of mutual benefit to Cuba and to tn
United States. 1t is important to examine
the relations between Cuba and the United
States, and to ascertain the exact condition.
of the island and It's people.
Attacks Large Planters.
This Mr. Stevens proceeded to do, sum
marizing the war and it's results and set
ting forth the condition of Cuba alread.
so we'll understood. He denied that Their
was distress among the laboring classe
of the island. On the contrary, they Wer
we'll paid and comparatively prosperous
Passing the case Of the large planters
the speaker said:
Most of these syndicates or corpora
Itions with headquarters in New York, Boston
London, Paris or Madrid. Likewise many c
the large planters and millowners are non
residents and have their homes outside {
Cuba. Large investments have been made
immense sugar and tobacco plants estat
lished, and undoubtedly, for the present yea
some money has been lost by reason of th
low price Of their products. The men inter
ested of great influence. and their storie
of woe can easily reach, and naturally weig
with our people But they have taken tn
ordinary chances of business. They hay
made money In the past and will make
again in the future. The sympathy of tt
American people need not be lavished upo
them. The majority of democrats and con
republicans seem willing to vote bonus
subsidy to these foreign interests to rails
sugar and refuse subsidy to American shiI
to bring same to United States.
, The third class to be considered is the me
! chant class. The. last Cuban census of 10
shows that this class is composed of abo1
, $4,000 people. A large majority of the me
chants are spaniards, who ,have never a
cepted Cuban citizenship. There are,
course, many Cuhans, very few English, &c
man, French SCI Americans and fe
s Hebrews. The spaniards the shrewde
u traders, have driven out competition al
\ menopolized the sugar business in Cuba.
|. is claimed that this class would become ban
. rupt by a failure to pass this concession.
. Our merchants in the west and south ha
{ struggled against low prices failure of croI
= floods, droughts and panics and never ask
u or received any help from the national go
/ eminent 1t Is somewhat difficult to percei
: that 1t Is our duty, or that it Is nation
= duty, to sacrifice the interest of our OF
, people to assist this aforementioned class
= Spanish merchants.
a The bulk Of the merchant class never i
& fored the Independence Of Cuba, did not
II sist in the revolution; have taken no p,
- In establishing the government; have
81 friendlness for the United States, and "
not buy our goods unless the absolute
~ compelled to do So Our national sympat
,e cannot be greatly excited by their prese
:, difficulties to the extent of injuring our o
- interests.
Small Planters.
The snall-panter class is undoubtedly d
tressed It Is a serious question as to wi
should be done for their relief. We have |