The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1902-02-22
A DISCUSSION ON
CUBAN RECIPROCITY.
Cuba Would Come In---Mr. New
lands Questions Put New
Phase on Cuban Situation.
From the Washington Post.

IrOm bHe w aSHiilBIUH Il OSb'
Col. Tasker Bliss. the United States
army officer who has been collector of
customs at Havana for some two years,
was heard before the Ways and Means
Committee yesterday regarding the pro-
posed Cuban reciprocity. He outlined
the depression in the sugar industry at
present and mentioned the refusal of the
banks to give the planters further credit.
He declared that there was no distress
inst 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 committee.
81 understand, ,"said Mr.. Newlands, "that
the Cuban people wish to come into COM
mercial union with the United States
without being subjected to the burdens
that political union would involve, such
as restriction OF immigration, the pauper
labor OF Europe, and the restriction Of
Asiatic immigration. The contention,
you understand, on the American side, on
behalf OF the beet sugar industry and
others, is that it would be unfair to have
a commercial union when the Americans
are handicapped by restrictive legislation
as to immigration and cheap labor, and
the Cubans are not
WILLING TO STAND ON EQUALITY.
"I ask you whether or not the Cuban
people are willing to come into political
union with the United States SO that they
will stand upon an equality in the pro-
duetion of sugar?"
II think from my own personal ac
quaintance, judging from that alone"
replied Col. Bliss, "and information l 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
statement-that they would be glad to
come in as State, as Territory, as a
colony, or remain under the present mill
tary 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 invita-
ton would be accepted by Cuba2"
~ think it would" replied Col. Bliss.
~ think, as a matter of pride at least, all
OF the leaders in the late wsr with Spain,
the Cuban leaders, would prefer to see an
independent Cuba. l think-in fact
know-that there are some who have no
hesitation in saying that after their pride,
the pride of their people, has been salts
fed, they would gladly welcome the next
step in the solution 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. will not
say that, but an outspoken element; yes,
sir.
Mr. Newlands-Is that large proper
tion2
Col. Bliss-I think it is a very small
proportion, largely represented by the
political men of whom spoke, whose i'm
mediate hope is in the establishment OF
their independent government, the graf
ification of their pride and their ambi-