The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1902-02-08
CUBA WOULD COME IN.
Mr.. Newlands Propounds Some Interesting
Questions on tie Subject.
(From the Washington Post)

(From the Washington PoSt)
Col. Tasker Bliss, the United States
army officer who has been Collector of
n was heard before the Ways and Means
Committee yesterday regarding the pro-
N posed Cuban reciprocity. He outlined
the depression in the sugar industry
at present and mentioned the refusal
of the banks to give the planters fur
ther credit. He declared that there was
no distress just now, but that the people
of Cuba were in the condition of
bank about to break.
Some interesting questions bearing on
the annexation of the island were pro-
pounded to Col. Bliss by Mr.. Newlands
of Nevada, a member of the House.
II understand said MIR. Newlands,
that Cuban people wish to come into
commercial union with the United
States without being subject to the bur-
dens that political union would involve,
such as restriction of immigration, the
pauper labor of Europe, and the restric-
ton of Asatic immigration. The con-
tention you understand, on the Ameri-
can side, on behalf of the beet sugar
industry and others, is that 1t would be
unfair to have a commercial union
when the Americans are handicapped
by restrictive legislation as to immigra-
tion and cheap labor, and the Cubans
are not.
WILLING TO STAND ON EQUALITY.
II ask you whether or not the Cuban
people are willing TO come into political
n union with the United States so that
they will stand upon an equality in the
n production of sugar."
II think from my own personal ac-
u quantance, judging from that alone"
replied Col. Bliss, and information |
get from my personal acquaintance,
the great majority of the Cubans are
ready.
From all those people who are in any
! way personally interested in the island
! Of Cuba, l have never heard but one
TO come in as a State as a territory, as
NJ colony, or remain under the present
Nniitary administration, or in any way
/ so as to become recognized as part
of the United States"
"Then," said Mr.. Newlands. IF the
United States government in the place
of tariff concessions should, by joint
resolution adopted by Congress, invite
Cuba to come into our political union,
\ first as a territory, with the assurance
that in due time it would be admitted
to Statehood, do you think that that
invitation would be accepted by Cuba?'
Il think it would replied Col. Bliss
Il think, as a matter of pride at least.
3 all of the leaders in the late war with
Spain, the Cuban leaders, would prefer
TO see independent Cuba. l think-in
fact. / know-that there are some who
have no hesitation in saying that after
E their pride, the pride of their people,
has been satisfied, they would gladly
welcome the next step in the solution
I of this problem"
The following colloquy ensued:
OUTSPOKEN CLASS AGAINST US.
Mr. Newlands--It is represented here
that there is intense hostility upon the
part of Cubans to America.
Col. Bliss-There is on the part OF
certain noisy element-well, l will not
Nay that, but an outspoken element;
yes, sir.
Mr. Newlands-1s that large pro-
a3rtion?
u Col. Bliss think 1t is very small
/ proportion, largely represented by the
4 political men of whom / speak, whose
immediate hope is in the establishment
of their independent government, the
qualification of their pride and their
ambition.