The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1902-09-10
Roosevelt, the Bosses, and the Trusts
CONTINUED from Isl paae.)

SSly, his SIIdlSHLlOT WdTuueSS, MS
democratic manners. his strenuous
| ness and strength. They like him
so well that some of the States in
the Middle West have. during the
past few weeks adopted platforms
quite as peculiar as the ways of All
Sin. Such are those of Minnesota
and Michigan, which in one clause
warmly indorse the policy of the
President, and in the next oppose re-
ciprocity with Cuba. So mixed-up
was Minnesota's platform that at
first the Eastern press joyfully an
nounced that the State was for re-
ciprocity, but later was Obliged re-
luctantly to explain that it had made
mistake. The West does not want
reciprocity with Cuba 1t has never
wanted it. But some States did de.
muir at having any measure, recon-
mended and desired by the President,
to whom they are so loyal. ruthless.
ly turned down by their PRACTICAL
and unsentimental piescptatives
So Kansas. so Nebraska. And when
it was further limited that some
avowedly administration senator's
had been secretly in league with the
insurgents. the feeling of loyalty was
so strong as to overwhelm personal
considerations, and in certain States
of the Middle West it has resulted.
not only in an Endorsement of the
President, but of his policy. This ia
the present situation, but it can not
continue thus Sentiment may serve
for time to befog the facts, but we
do not believe that the West will
sacrifice a great industry for senti-
ment."
The Eastern desire for Cuban re-
ciprocity is readily understood. Many
American capitalists have invested
money in sugar plantations in Cuba.
They wish to realize as high interest
on their investment as possible. If,
by reciprocity treaty, the American
people practically give the planters
thirty millions of dollars. it will as
sist them to do this. Further, if Gu
ba is prosperous she can purchase
more largely from Eastern mer-
chants. The thirty millions taken
out of the pockets of Western farm
ers flows back in golden stream
into the pockets of Eastern traders
1t Is all very simple, and might work
equally well In the case of any other
foreign country in which our million
aires wish to invest their surplus
wealth.
Another question that might per.
tinently be asked of the weepers of
crocodile tears for Cuba is: Why not
give free trade also to the Philip
pines? If Cuban free free trade is a
good thing, why not Philippine free
trade equally good? Cuba is a for
eign country. The Philippines be-
long to the United States. Why this
invidious distinction?
The great question which confronts
President Roosevelt is nothing less
than to decide whether-on the three
great questions now at issue-he
shall incline his ear to the siren song
Of the financial powers of the East,
or shall listen to the voice of the
people of the great and growing agri-
cultural West. The West is distinct
iy for tariff revision, particularly on
trust-made articles. The East does
not want the tariff touched, except
on agricultural products. The West
is distinctly for some effective trust
legislation. The East whatever its
protestations, wants the trusts left
strictly alone. The West, despite the
announcements Of some platforms.
does not want reciprocity with Cuba.
The East is for reciprocity first, last.
and all the time, The West has a
high regard for President Roosevelt.
The leaders of the East dislike him.
and stand ready to betray him.
We think President Roosevelt is a
sincere and highminded man, but we
certainly believe that he can not ig-
more the demands of the West with
out working his own nolitiooI r,,i,