The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-22

the first TO advocate the cause OF Su-
ban annexation and which will be the
one to receive the credit for annexa-
ton when 1t is consummated. is a ques-
ton which is now receiving much atten-
ton at the hands of politicians and
statesmen.
Avoiding the issue as they Will the
most conservative admit the annexation
of Cuba. like that Of Texas, Is Inevitable.
It has been Ehe history of the two great
political parties that the Democratic par
~ was one of Initiative and the Repub-
lican party the one Of executive. The
former designs policies. the latter exc
eutes them. The great issues which have
occupied the minds Of the American peo-
pie since the birth of the Republican
party have been framed by the Demo-
Gratis but the Republicans have always
accepted them and for almost half
century have been in substantially full
control of the destfnies Of the Republic
because of their handling Of the dues-
lions raised by The Democrats.
Beginning with the extension Of siav-
cry and following the course Of the poiit-
zeal parties through the resumption of
specie payments. tariff reform, sound
money, the war with Spain, expansion,
and now, the trusts the Democratic par
ty has always called attention TO the
matters In dispute and the Republican
party has almost invariably grasped the
winning end of the question. Sometimes
1t has been able to do this because of
the mistakes of the Democrats, but often
Il has deliberately stepped in and ac-
CURED by force of position and luck the
position which legitimateiy belonged to
the Democrats It was so when President
Cleveland attempted to place the Demo-
cratic party in line TO support sound
money; the Democrats rejected the posi-
ton which the Republican party straight
way assumed. It was so when the Demo-
cratic party insisted that Cuba should be
free; but remained for Republican Pres
ident and Republican Congress to exc
cute the policy It is likely to prove true
in the case of the trusts, where the DEM
ocrats who have been fighting valiantly,
but unavailingly against the trusts for
three years have recently seen a Repub-
lican President step in and announce that
their policy was his policy. VIII it be so
with Cuban annexation?
Each party has an earnest advocate of
annexation. Senator Elixins of West vir-
ginia. in the only speech delivered on
cuban reciprocity in the Senate, openly
avcwed that he favored annexation, not
in the far distant future, but at once. be-
fore Cuba became loaded with debts,
which she could not pay, before its finan-
ces fell into such a deplorable condition
that it's school teachers must remain un
paid and its scholars suffer for want of
a common school education; before the
demands of .he alleged patriot army up
on the Cuban treasury began to drain
it to the dregs; before capital became
tinlid ard surveyed Cuba with longing
eyes but cautious footsteps; before, IN
brief, Cuba should be placed in posi-
ton whe,e annexation would be its only
means of salvation. Senator FllSins prob
ably knew that four-fifths of the Sen
ate was behind him in private opinion If
not in outspofen sentiment In the
House, however, when Representative
Newlands boldly announced to mis- party
that he would not support the cause of
Cuban reciprocity unless, coupled with
to become a part of the Union, he was
roundly condemned by his Democratic
associates. 1t may be said, however, that
before the adjournment of Congress the
idea Of annexation as advocated by Rep
resentative Newlands had taken such
hold on the Democrats that had Mr. New
lands presented the question TO the DEM
ocratic caucus, as contemplated, It Is
probable that three-fourths of his fellow
members would have stood by him Part,
policy-it being held the time had not yet
come-prevented such action.
Cuban annexation, therefore, has two
prominent supporters, the one Repub-
lican Senator, the other a Democratic
Representative. Both are men of large
means who have forced their way into
the world, not only to wealth, but to
political position. 1t is more than like
ly that each has his eye fixed upon
something higher Mr.. Newlands is as
sured of a seat In the Senate to succeed
Senator Jones, and should the annexa-
ton of Cuba be postponed for several
years there is possibility that Elkins
and Newlands will be the leaders of OPP
pOSlnS IOTceS III the senate IN favor OF
the same idea. Representative New
lands was closely associated with Ha-
waiian annexation. Senator Elkins was
formerly delegate from New Mexico
In the future, two new stars may be
added to the flag. to represent the states
of Hawaii and New Mexico. Which of
the two statesmen will see their fond
hope of aeaing a third star to the flag
that representing the state of Cuba, re-
allied?
The attitude which President Roose-
veit will assume toward this question is
the cause OF speculation. 1t is said, and
on very good authority, that the ad-
ministration contemplates the presenta-
ton of a resolution of annexation to the
Senate by one of its representatives in
that body, and that by submitting sim
liar resolution Mr.. Ellxlns merely fore
stalled the administration. II this is
true 1t cannot be expected that President
Roosevelt, with the political sagacity
which he has already manifested in the
frain from indorsing Cuban annexation
merely because Senator Elkins and Rep
resentative Newlands have declared
themselves In favor OF annexation. 1t Is
will decline to commit himself on this
question until the Cuban republic has
demonstrated either its capacity or in