The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-06-30
Mr.. EIkins' Speech on Cuba
Stirs Up Sharp Debate.
Mr.. BAILEY GROWS CAUSTlC
Member From Texas Declares the Unit
ed States Owes Cuba for The Money
Expended by the Governor General
in the Islands Behalf.

During the speech by Senator EIkins
/ IN advocacy of the annexation OF Cuba
! IN the Senate today. Senators PIstt Of
Connecticut and Hanna attacked Mr..
EIkins' plan vigorously, and Mr.. Bailey
Injected into the debate few caustic
remarks in condemnation Of General
Woods expenditures of Cuban -eoney
for the reciprocity propaganda
When Mr.. Elkins. in the coursr OF his
speech. made an especial attack on the
P1att resolution restricting the liberty
Of Cuba. and drew comparison not
complimentary to it, with the original
Teller resolution promising the island Of
free republican form OF government,
Senator Platt responded briefly that
Senator Eikins' resolution and speech
do not represent the views Of any por-
tion OF the United States.
Mr.. Platt Replies.
4 fear" MIR PIatt said. that the
Cuban people viii draw wrong ooncIu-
sion as TO sentiment in this country
from the Senator's remarks, unless their
minds are dfsabgsed.
Less than one month after the prom
ise Of freedom had been fulfilled and
Cuba had become a republic, this resoIu-
tion was introduced.
I wish. for one. to state my belief
that the resolution and the speech rep
resent the views Of the Senator atone"
Senator Hanna Speaks.
Mr. Hanna followed in the line CT Mr.
Platt's speech laying special stress on
the statement that President Mckinley
was in favor Of reciprocal trade relations
with Cuba. He attacked Mr.. EIkins'
statement that this country owes Cuba
nothing and said 1t owes it TO itself to
help the island to prosperity.
Whether we owe anything TO Cuba or
not the question should not be placed on
the plane Of purely mereenary regard
for profit AID loss. I wish 10 see the
country and Congress place the question
on q higher plane"
Mr. Hanna said he believed that in the
coming elections Congress would hear
from the people a demand for reciprocity
with the island IN no uncertain tones.
BY. EIklnS Determined.
Mr. SpooneT suggested that the resolu-
ton lie placed on the table until the next
session il order that it might be debated
further.
4 viii tell the Senator Mr.. EIkins
replied that 7 intend to keep the
question up. I intend to make more
speeches on it
Owe Cuba Money.
He added in reply to Mr. Hanna that
he was still convinced that the United
States does not owe Cuba anything.
This gave Ar. Bailey his chance.
4 think in al good conscience we do
owe E~Sa the money that was expended
by the late Governor General in his
uganda for reciprocity Possibly if
had been secured. If bill
had been passed the obligation might
have been wiped out But Congress is
about to adjourn, and the money has
been wasted"
Mr.. Bailey added that not a member
7f the Senate could be found who would
defend this expenditure by an officer Of
he Government OF the money Of another
country to influence Congress.
Has Faith in Wood.
Mr. Elkins said he could rot agree
With Mr. Bailey He believed General
Wood had done what he considered
light. Mr.. Bacon took the floor and
.sked:
What does the Senator himself
hink as to whether General Wood dis
.harged his duty?"
Mr.. Elkins: He did the best he knew
low in the trying circumstances that
,UrroUnded him.
After further colloquy Mr.. EIkins'
'esoluuon was referred to the Commit
re on Cuban PaIafEo-z