Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-02-13
To DRIVE CUBA
To OUR ARMS
by TARIFF
CONGRESS MAY DECREASE TAR.
IFF ONLY ENOUGH TO FORCE
CUBA TO SEEK ANNEX
ALTON.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., Feb. u.--Though
representatives from the Cuoan Planters
association have declared that reduction
OF so per cent In the American tariff on
Cuban products is the minimum which
win serve to avert the industrial and
financial disaster now pending In the IS
land. it is generally believed tnat reduc-
ton OF not more than % per cent will be
made by this congress. A canvass OF the
southern representatives made yesterday
disclosed this situation.
II appears that the southern Demo-
Gratis will not favor a greater reduction
than 3 per cent because a larger -educ-
tion would be injurious to American and
especially southern industries and prod
ucts. A reduction of 80 per cent, they
maintain, would be to let down the bars
so that Cuban sugar and tobacco might
come into this country and push our own
sugar and tobacco out of the markets.
Republicans from the north and east are
against the proposed sweeping reduction
or reciprocity. not only TO protect Amer
lean industries. but 10 FORCE Cuba TO come
to Washington with outstretched arms
and beg for annexation.
That it is believed the time is ripe for
maneuvers towards annexation Of Cuba
is clearly shown by the Introduction this
week of the bill by Representative New
lands, of Nevada. to reduce the tariff
on Cuban sugar OF only this years crop
by . per cent and at the same time in
viting the republic TO become part of the
United states, rirst as territory and
later as a state 10 be known, as the state
OF Cuba
The attitude of southern congressman
I'm general towards Cuba is outlined clear
~ IN the following interview with one or
the Democratic leaders from the south.
Reciprocity" he said, lis another name
for low tariff. The Democratic party, OF
course. is in favor of low tariff, but ia
making rariff rate tor the benefit OF
Cuba naturally we do not WISH If possible
TO avoid 1t, 10 do anything which would
be injurious 10 American industries and
interests.
"our relations with Cuba are peculiar.
We went TO war with Spain Tor me pur-
pose OF breaking the grasp of her ruth
less despotism over the Pearl of the An
TILES Congress expressly declared that
the United States harbored no thought
of territorial aggrandizement, and guar
anteed. BY special act, that Cuba should
have free. staple and independent form
of government, an act unparalleled In
history for generosity and friendship.
Our military forces, on land and sea,
did all the lighting, and our government
paid all the expenses OF that conflict.
But what was the result? The politi-
cal irebrands OF Cuba abused us for COM
ing to their rescue in the hour of nation
al disaster and for having taken the Span
ish yoke from their necks. Because of
this 1t is true today that many of the
former friends OF Cuba, generous. patri-
otto, liberty-loving men, do not now cher
fish any enthusiastic sentiment of sympa-
thy for the Cubans, as a nationality. 1t.
Is well on account Of the ingratitude they
have shown towards us, as manifested by
the conduct and utterances Of Cuba's
prominent leaders, who, after having per-
mitted US to 90 all the fighting and re-
ceiying the benefit of our losses in blood
and treasure, have persistently endeav-
ored to make the world believe that we
are their political enemies instead of their
friends
The class Of congressman whose ardor
in the interest Of Cuba has so cooled, and
they are numerous. are the ones who are
saying: We have already done for Cuba
more than we ought TO have done They
say they have been disillusioned. They
are opposed to any further legislation for
Inc special benefit of Cuba. They claim
that reciprocity treaties between the Uni
ted States and Cuba. in view Of the pecu-
liar relations existing between them,
would be unconstitutional and unwise
They think we are not under any obi-
cation. legal or moral. through. the instru-
mentality of such treaties, to take any
further care of the Cuban people. to set
them more nrmly on thetr feet, or to in
augurate a new national policy for the en-
richment Of the island at the expense or
TO the disadvantage Of any section or
territorial division OF the United States.
Sugar and tobacco being Cubas chief
products 1t is argued that the sugar in
dustry in Louisiana, the beet trade in the
west. and the tobacco trade in Virginia
and both Carolinas will be severely hurt
by reduction of the Cuban tariff These
gentlemen, 1t may be argued, are pessi-
mists; but they have votes; and they are
fast reaching the conclusion that. Cuba
must either stand alone or else become
annexed TO the United States in order
thereby to acquire our further protec-
ton and assistance.
Il do net believe that any reduction
in the tariff greater than 25 per cent will
ever be made by this congress. and 1 am
not alone In this belief. Ask any of the
members you may meet. They will tell
you. II they speak frankly. that this re-
duction is all Cuba is likely to get"