Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-06
AGAINST CUBAN RECIPROCITY
Three Democratic Representatives Submit
Adverse Reports to the House.
DECLARE SUGAR TRUST WILL Be HELPED
Argument f. Advanced that Proposed
Republican Measure Will Not
Give Aid 20 People of
Island.

WASHINGTON. April 5.-Three separate
minority reports on the Cuban reciprocity
bill were filed today by Representatives
Robertson of Louisiana. Newlands OF Me-
vada and Cooper OF Texas, all democrats.
Mr.. Robertson says in part:
The bill, II enacted into law, would af-
ford relief to the Cuban treasury. l be-
: pockets of a few sugar planters, owning
! thousands Of acres of land. The 20 per
a, cent reduction would. not go to the relief
] ately and entirely to I'LL the already over.
flowing. Golfers OF the sugar ret1neries OF
the United States, known by the name of
1.-THE sugar trust.
Mr.. Robertson expresses astonishment
that one Of his democratic associates (Mr.
McClellan) in his report refers to the bill
as an enunciation Of democratic doctrine OF
reciprocity. Mr.. Robertson adds:
Not Democratic Reciprocity.
1t seems to me that. that kind of reel
procity is absolutely impossible under a
democratic tarin. Should the tariff ever
P PT rfpisso Of on the hee d ems and pi paTty' Oh re sae
procity would be entirely unnecessary and
impossible, as the rates would not be pro-
htbittve and the extension of our trade
would, as a natural consequence, flow from
the imposition OF such tariff rates, without
the Tb seS SiiI !! 6 9f 55feSiPP pr fbs ,nteres, o, the
people Of the United States, violates the
fundamental principles of our policy, inter-
feres g~rievously with the International re-
lations of a weak and dependent republic
which Is attempting to follow out the die
tates Of this country and must of necessity
become involved in international e~ntangle-
ments with many important nations and
might involve us, in order to protect Cuba,
in serious international complications.
Mr.. Newlands makes an elaborate presen-
tation, reviewing the political and com
mercial phases. In conclusion he says:
Tired of Sentimental Laws.
The American people are becoming tired
of sentimental legislation. We have spent
100000 600 in a war to free Cuba. We have
spent $500, 100000 in attempting to carry
civilization to the Philippines. It Is now
propose by the sentimentalists that we
should inaugural. Legislation changing our
nance system, not for the benetit OF the
American consumers nor for the benefit of
our agricultural classes, which thus far
have received little of the benefit of our
financial legislation, but for the purpose of
diverting to the Cuban planters, in order
to relieve their threatened economic dis
tress. a very large amount of money.
l am willing 10 extend this sentimental
Legislation TO Cuba for a reasonable period,
provided It is accompanied by an invitation
TO Cuba to become a part of the United
States. / wish to give Cuba full oppor-
tunity of elaboration and 1 am willing to
relieve her necessities so that this de-
liberation shall not be disturbed by acute
economic distress, but l am opposed to the
legislation unless we give Cuba clearly and
uneQuivocally to understand that If she
wishes commercial union with this country
and conditions Of commerce not enjoyed
by other independent nations, she must
seek political union with us In the form of
annexation as a part of the republic.
Mr.. Cooper's report is brief and expresses
general opposition to the bill.