The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-08-06
Question Said to Be Giving Presi-
dent Much Concern and Beet
Sugar Men a Great Deal More.
REGARDED AS INEVITABLE.
Senator Morgan and Representa-
tive Newlands Among Those
Who Have Come Out Openly
in Favor of the Policy.
The Republic Bureau.

18th st. and Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, Aug. 5.-Repubiican leaders
who are in close touch with the admins
tration say that the question of Cuban an
nexation is giving the President consider
able concern. and it is asserted that he
will call in consultation, regarding this
matter, the leading men of his party.
If the President realizes the gravity Of
the situation, what can be said of the beet
sugar and sugar-cane producers. who were
instrumental in defeating a bill establish
ing reciprocal relations with the Cuban Re
public?
From their standpoint, the argument
against annexation is five times as strong
and weighty as the argument against a re-
duction of only 20 per cent in the sugar
duties.
As a matter of fact. it is said, the major
ity of the planters and nearly all of the
business interests in the island have ia
vored annexation ever since Cuba ceased
to be a Spanish possession and there is no
doubt that they have been impressed by
the prosperity which free trade has brought
to Porto Rico.
The recent u~tterances Of General Lee
and Consul General Bragg upon the Gu
ban situation have made considerable of
an impression on the American people who
have little faith in the stability of South
American Republics. General Lees blunt
declaration that the faiiure of reciprocity
means anarchy with annexation as an in
evitable outcome is the opinion OF a man
whose familiarity with the theater of ac-
ton in Cuba cannot be questioned.
Favor Annexation of Cuba.
In discussing General Lees views. Rep
resentative Newlands, who introduced in
the House resolutions inviting Cuba to be-
come a part of the United States. said:
Il consider Gen.val Lee such an author
ity on Cuban matters that his recent state
ment cannot be disputed. He enjoys the
confidence OF the members of both parties
and knows the Cuban situation thoroughly.
l shall never forget the very interesting
statement he made before one of the House
committees on the wonderful resources of
CUBA, the fertility of her soil and the mil
lions of dollars hat We're going to waste
because of tine woeful lack of enterprise in
the island.
Mr.. Newlands remarked that the large
element in Cuba who favored annexation
feared at the present time TO propose such
a step for fear it would precipitate a revo-
luton. as the men who now hold the bal
ance of power in the island would natur-
ally object to relinquishing their grasp on
affairs when the sweets of Authority were
SO new to them.
An invitation from this country to Cuba
to become a part of the United States"
continued Mr.. Newlands, is absolutely
necessary in order to disarm any suspicion
on her part that she might become a mill
itary dependency such as the Philippines"
Senator Morgan of Alabama comes out
fat-footed for Cuban annexation.
Cuba" said the Senator, is as neces-
sary to the United States as Ireland is to
Great Britain 1t is unnecessary to refer
to the fact that this has been recognized
since the days of Thomas Jefferson. Every
far-sighted American knows to-day, as
every far-sighted American has recognized
in the past. that Cuba must eventually be-
come a part CT the United States"
Il am inclined to agre with Mr.. New
lands that the time has come when we
should take decisive step toward Cuban
annexation"