Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-07-10
THE CUBAN PROBLEM
Annexation Likely to Come Up
Next Session.
COMMERCIAL ELEMENT IyFayOR OF II
Dissatisfaction at the Present Order Like.
" to Come from Laborlng Glasses, Ow.
Ing to Reduction Of Wages What
Congressman Newlands Esys


bers of congress who have given
careful steady and thought to the
subject of Cuban annexation think it
will be one of the serious problems
confronting them in the next session,
for recent private advices from the
island Of Cuba declare that much un.
easiness is being manifested among
the business men there in consider.
ing the future success and prosperity
Of the new republic, which is great.
" aggravated by the failure of this
government to establish reciprocal
relations with the Cuban people. A
majority of the commercial element
have for many years favored annexa-
ton to this country and during the
hearings before the ways and means
committee last winter on the ques-
ton Of reduction in the tariff, the
Cuban delegates, Seniors Mendoza
and Place, who really represented
the business interests of the island
announced themselves as being
heartily in favor of annexation. Now
that the heady enthusiasm, result
ing from the establishment of the
republic has died away and men are
figuring on its future in financial
and not a sentimental sense, grave
doubts are expressed as to the pos
sible stability of the republic, much
of which is in consequence of the
precedents heretofore set by the his
tory of other South American re-
publics. Where dissatisfaction will
first occur is from the laboring
classes, it is feared. They are now
receiving higher wages than they
ever dreamed of in the days of Span
ish tyranny and it is certain that
under existing conditions q great re-
duction in these wages will have to be
made. In discussing the subject Of
Cuban annexation yesterday, Repre-
sentative Francis G. Newlands, of Ne.
vada, who introduced resolutions
early in the session inviting Cuba to
become part of the United States,
first as an organized territory under
the constitution, with the assurance
of ultimate statehood, said:
II have never doubted that Cuba
would be in distress unless the price
of sugar advanced or she was enabled
to receive In some degree the adj
vantage of the increased price paid
by the American consumer as the
result of our tariff. The difficulty
with Cuba is that her large planta-
tions are, and have been, heavily
mortgaged for years and that the res
cue of the sugar planters from gener-
al liquidation depends upon their re-
ceiving an increased price for sugar.
This liquidation will probably take
place the coming year and these
large estates will be sold. The mere
change of ownership of the planta-
tons as the result of the indebted
ness of their owners would do no
great injury were it not for the con-
sequent disturbance in the employ
ment of labor. During the last sea-
son the wages of labor increased
very nearly so per cent, as the re-
suit of the extraordinary demand
For laborers on sugar plantations, \
md they will undoubtedly feel the
lrop in wages caused by changed
and ! have no doubt that
the new government there will en-
counter very severe trial. The rev.
enues of the island will probably be
salaries will be largely
increased and the public schools and
and sanitary work tending
% health and cleanliness will doubt
ess suffer"
From Mr.. Newlands' standpoint,
lfter careful analysis of the sit
lation, he cannot see any assured
uture for Cuba unless annexation
omes and that it will come is his
irm belief, an opinion which is
haired by number Of the public
men who are in line with his policy
oward the newborn republic.