New-York tribune., 1902-07-03
KEEP FAITH WITH CUBA
PRESIDENT WILL APPEAL TO
THE COUNTRY.
RECIPROCITY TO BE ADVOCATED IN ALL
HIS SPEECHES-NO SERIOUS MOVE
MENT FOR ANNEXATION.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE J

fay TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
washington July 2.-The hearty Endorsement
~ the administrations Cuban policy by the Re
nublican State Convention of Minnesota is ac-
cepted in Washington further convincing
proof that the whole country irrespective OF
party, is heartily in sympathy with the fixed
determination of the President TO bring Cuba
into close commercial relations with Ihe United
States. The action of the Minnesota convention
Is in thorough harmony with the action of every
other Republican State Convention of the year
with the single exception Of Michigan, and Is
considered here timely and stinging re
buke not only TO the Minnesota delegation but
also to every Republican in both branches Of
Congress who either openly or secretly opposed
the legislation so urgently recommended by the
President and supported with sincerity by Sen
ator Platt. of Connecticut. Representative Taw-
ney, of Minnesota, organized the House insur-
gent movement and was its real leader so far
as public display Of that leadership was made.
Every member Of the Minnesota delegation
voted and worked against reciprocity, and IT
was Minnesota man, Mr.. Morris. who weighted
the measure down to Democratic liking with
tariff revision amendments Senator Nelson
who presided over the Minnesota convention yes
ferday was one of the most conspicuous and
obstinate Boxers" of the upper chamber, ana
his colleague Mr.. Clapp. attended all the con-
ferences called by Mr.. Burrows. of Michigan
and Mr. Elkins of West Virginia. the nominal
leaders OF the opposition in the Senate Nhhe
President Roosevelt's personal and official re-
lations with all the members of the Mlnnesotd
delegation are still cordial, as is the case with
respect TO other Republicans of Congress who
openly opposed the Cuban policy, still he is
naturally much gratified that the Republicans
of their State have repudiated their course in
this vitaIIy important matter and upheld him
with vigor and enthusiasm.
WILL SPEAK FOR RECIPROCITY.
The hearty Endorsements his Cuban policy Is
securing from Republican gatherings all over
the country are strengthening the Presidents
determination 10 advocate reciprocity in all the
speeches he will make in his travels this sum-
n7er and fall He will appeal directly to the
country in the confident expectation that when
Congress reassembles in December opposition
10 reciprocity on an even more liberal basis than
the 20 per cent proposed by the Platt-Spooner
hill will have disappeared from the Republican
party and will be confined wholly TO the Demo-
Gratis It is hoped and believed that the Presi-
dents firm stand, together with the support he
is receiving from the country, will have a quiet
ing effect in Cuba. and that President Palma
will be able thus to prevent the Congress at
Havana from taking any steps derogatory 10
the United States. II is understood, OF course
that industrial depression and financial suHer-
ing cannot be averted in Cuba pending action
on the reciprocity question in this country. but
when the Cubans learn that this government is
determined TO keep faith with them 1t is hoped
that dangerous political agitation and social
disorder in the island will be prevented. Every
effort is now being made through the agencies
of diplomacy to convince the Cuban masses that
the United States is still their best friend ana
well wisher. and that there is no serious move
rllent back of the speech made by Senator Elkins
in the closing hours OF Congress for the annex
alton Of Cuba.
PLATT'S REPLY TO ELKINs.
Senator Platt, of Connecticut, promptly re-
sented on the floor Of the Senate the insinuation
conveyed by AIr. Elkins's speech that the United
States was preparing TO do anything looking to
the annexation of the island Immediately or re-
moteIy. and in the course of his timely remarks
used this forcible language:
Mr. President: I do not rise for the purpose of
discussing the joint resolution introduced by the
Senator from West Virginia (Mr. Elkinsl, or of
replying in detail to his remarks. | would keep
silent. except that fear the Introduction or the
joint resolution in the Senate of the United
States. and the remarks which have been made
by the Senator from West Virginia IN IT'S sup
port will be misunderstood and possibly re-
sented in Cuba. / fear the people OF Cuba VIII
not understand that the joint resolution and the
remarks of the Senator from West Virginia
represent only his personal opinion upon this
subject and therefore i want to say that / am
satisfied that in the introduction of the joint
resolution and in its advocacy the Senator from
West Virginia does not represent any consider
BILE portion OF the people of the United states
| think the Cuban people would have right, if
they supposed that this were real movement
on the part of the United States looking toward
the annexation of Cuba. to charge us with bad
faith
In the Joint resolution which passed on
April 20 1898 demanding that Spain should at
once relinquish its authority and government In
the island of Cuba. and withdraw its land and
naval forces from Cuba and Cuban waters, the
Congress of the United Sta solemnly passed
this fourth paragraph Of the resolution;
Fourth-That the United States hereby disclams
disposition intention to exercise sovereignty
Jurisdiction control said island, except TOT
the pacthcation thereof, and asserts tS deterflia-
ton when that is accomplished 10 leave the gov
Mr.. President, that pacifcation was accom-
plished and a constitutional government estab-
lished in Cuba May 20 last and on June ii,
IN less than one month after we had left the
government and control of the island to us
people. the joint resolution of the Senator from
West Virginia Is introduced in the Senate or
the United States
The Senator may say that il is only an inVi-
tstion 10 the people of Cuba to ask to be an
neXed to the United States. | fear very much
that they would regard il rather the express
sion of an intention on the rart of the United
States 10 compel or coerce them into annexation
with us. II that feeling should prevail in the
island of Cuba IL would be most unfortunat te
End therefore / wish to state my own opinion
that the Joint resolution and the rema rls Which
have been submitted in advocacy of IN do not
represent sentiment in the United States