The Minneapolis journal., 1902-06-30
FOR CUBA'S 5.
ANNEXATION
Senator Elkins Makes an Ad-
dress in Support of His
Resolution.
Absorption Is the Inevitable
Fate of All the Smaller
Governments.

Washlngton. June 30.-In the senate
to-day Mr.. Gallinger On. HI, chairman OF
the committee on pensions, made brief
statement Of the work done by the COM
mittee the present session. 1t showed
that the pensions bills introduced in the
house aggregated ISIS, the senate 2,oo2.
The total number passed by both was
1.151.
Bills we're passed to authorize the d1-
rector Of the census to compile statis-
tics relating to irrigation; relating to
the transportation of dutiable merchan-
disc at Tacoma and Seattle. Wash.
Cuban Annexation.
Mr.. Elkins, (W. Va.) then addressed the
senate in support of his resolution pro-
viding for the annexation of Cuba. The
resolution grants the consent of con-
gress to the erection of the republic OF
Cuba as state Of the union, Ito be called
the state of Cuba. with a republican form
of government, to be adopted by the
people OF said republic by deputies in
convention assembled with the consent of
the existing government. The consti-
tuition Is to be submitted to congress not
later than Jan. l, 1904. The debts of
Cuba are not to become a charge upon
the general government. The president
is to have authority If he prefers, to pro-
ceed In a more direct way for Cuba's ad-
mission ''instead of proceeding to sub
nit the resolution to Cuba as an over
ture on the part of the United States
II this latter course is pursued, state is
to be formed "out Of the present republic
Cub, wit nf
ernment and with representatives In con-
gress and be admitted into the union by
this act, on an equal footing with the
existing states the terms and
conditions Of such admission shall be
agreed upon by the governments OF tho
republic of Cuba and the United States. -
Mr.. Elkins spoke in part as follows:
Senator Elkins' Speech.
Mr. Elkins said that his resolution had been
misunderstood. 1t had 10 bearing upon
Cuban reciprocity and was not intended to
have any. It simply voiced in concrete form
his Judgment that Cuba ought to be annexed
TO the United States and the sooner the bet
ter for both countries. The resolution did not
a4sasiaes sznf Ell lhasrsaa.a ogansixs
way. 1t provided that the Gubans must take
the initiative and only after they had asked
for annexation could the United States act
For nearly century he said the annexa-
tion of Cuba to the United States had been
the ambition o. American craftsmanship. He
pointed out that many distinguished and
patriotic American statesmen, from Jefferson
to Mckinley, had favored annexation, and
he thought the present was opportune time
to carry into effect the we'll defined wishes
of a majority of the people of Cube and the
United States in regard to annexation. 1t is
in the interest OF both countries. The en-
vlronments of Cuba, with the trials and diih-
culties that beEet her on. the threshold Of
80 Lo~
being long an Independent nation, while a
state in the American union her people would
be prosperous and progressive and enjoy the
liberty and all the blessings that would
flow from being part Of the best, greatest and
freest government in the world.
After annexation the products of Cuba
would not come into hurtfu competition with
those Of the United States. Free trade
amongst the states has never lowered the
price Of labor or worked injury to American
interests. Wherever our flag floats the price
of labor advances.
It is claimed that annexation would destroy
the promising and growing beet sugar in
dustry Of the United States. Not SO, how
ever. The price of products among the
states of the union always seeks an equli-
brium. With proper protection in favor OF
the sugar of Cuba. which she will enjoy
as a state. and the beet sugar OF the United
States within fifteen years, the United States
would not only produce enough sugar for its
own consumption but largely compete with
other countries in the markets of the world
IT, But for the war with Spain, although sc
successful and glorious, Cuba would now b:
part Of the United States. Even with the
war, had it not been for our declaration thai
the not waged for conquest or ag-
grandzeneint, known as the Teller amend
ment, Cuba would to-day be a part of the
United States, just as Porto Rico and the
Philippines are. This amendment has proved
both mschievous and unwise.
When Cuba shall become part of the
American union and the isthuian canal shall
be completed, which is now assured, Porto
Rico, Cuba, Hawaii and the Philippines vii
be the outposts Of the great republic, stand
ing guard over American interests In the
track of the worlds commerce in its tri-
pnlphal march around the globe.
There is a tendency in all human affair:
In government, trade and commerce to con.
centration and combination Meteors go tc
the SUM- small nations are becoming parts o
great nations, and Cuba in her present en-
vironment, situated as she is, cannot be eX-
pected to resist this tendency.
The effect of the Platt amendments will be
to help bring about annexation. A nation
cannot long remain half free and half de
pendent; such condition embarrasses
healthy progress in national life and leaves
but little room for the exercise of the genius
and Intelligence of a people in the affairs O.
government, especially when under such re
strictions as these amendments Impose
The question of annexation forces itself *
the front and will claim from now on tn.
attention of the people OF both countries
Reciprocity with Cuba affords adequat
remedy for what threatens her interests.
20 per cent reduction In her tariff and our
will do Cuba as a people or a government
little or no good, while it will work grea
harm to the interests Of the United States.
There was long discussion and fierce op
position to the annexation Of Texas-mucl
more I think than there will be to the an
nexation Of Cuba-but 1t came at last, a
surely as the annexation of Cuba will come
There Is not loya. and true American t.
be found within the confines of the republi
who would give UP Texas, and within
few years after Cuba becomes state in ou
union, not an American will he found wtlin
to part with the island.