The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-06-30
Addresses Senate in Favor
Of a Consolidation OF
Two Republics
DECLARES UNION INEVITABLE
Quotes Jefferson, Polk, Garfield, Blaine,
and Mckinley as Hoping for Islands
Acquisition-Asserts That Beet Su-
gar Industry Would Be Enriched.

Senator Elkins rep, ". va ad-
dressed the Senate this afternoon in IA
yor Of the resolution introduced by him
on June Il providing for the annexation
Of Cuba to the United States Mr.. FL
kins said in part;
The joint resolution I had the honor
OF introducing in the Senate. which has
Just been read, providing for the annex
alton Of Cuba as a State in the American
Union, has been misunderstood The in
PRODUCTION of this resolution had no re
lation TO nor bearing whatever upon tde
question Of the Cuban reciprocity bill
pending before the Committee on Gu
ban Relations of the Senate Il has
been my judgment for a long time. inde-
pendent Of all questions CT reciprocity
and trade relations that Cuba would
inevitably become r part Of the United
States. This being the case, the sooner
the annexation was consummated the
better fer both nations
Dream OF a Century.
1t has been claimed that the resolu-
ton is an offense to Cuba by even sug-
costing annexation at this time. This 5
a mistake. The resolution provides that
Cuba must take the initiative, and only
when she asks for annexation can the
United States take action Under the
resolution, If Cuba fails TO ask to De
admitted as State there can be nc an
nexation. For nearly a century the an
nexation of Cuba 10 the United States
has been the dream and ambition OF
American craftsmanship Jefferson and
the earlier statesmen favored il and
looked forward 70 its certain coRsuIn-
nation
Jefferson said
q candidly. confess that I have ever
looked on Cuba as the most interesting
addition which could be made 10 our
system OF States"
President Polk IN 124s offered 100000
900 for Cuba.
It Is known that President Pierce IA
vored the acquisition OF Cuba and in
structed Mr. Buchanan, minister 20
Spain, n 1854, 70 take up the subject
with European governments Their
conclusions were incorporated IN what
is known as the Ostend manifesto; they
urged the purchase Of the island OF Cuba
from Spain for $4,000, coo, and stated
that they regarded the island as neces- |
sary to the United States and the sale
advantageous 20 Spain
Time Now 0pportune.
The Democratic platform of 1850 IA
vored the acquisition Of Cuba
Discussion and agitation we're delayed /
on account of the fear that if annexed /
it would extend the area Of slavery and /
increase the slave power II the Govern /
ment. Garfield and Blaine had anneza- /
ton in mind IL the beginning of the Car /
- hnF -
purpose to make the acquisition Of
Cuba one OF the aims Of the Garfield Ad- /
Ilinistration At that time S20G, 0t0 900 /
was not regarded as too much to pay
Spain for Cuba
Garfield. a few days before the dast- /
erdly shot of the assassin which took /
away his life, pointing 70 map in the I
Cabinet room said 70 friend
DO you know that Cuba is right at
our doors. and farther west than Pitts /
burg, ard don't you think her acqUisi-
tion would be great thing for our
country
President Mckinley, speaking to the /
Cuban commissioners who came 10
Washington 10 look after the question +
Of defining the relations between the (
two countries, said:
II you only we're member CT the I
family, how easy it would ali be-"
After nearly a century OF waiting. the I
time seems oppOrJuEe DOW 10 carry inSo (
effect the weH-deaned wishes Of ma
jority CT the people Of Cuba and the
United States IN regard to annexation. /
No sufficient reason car be urged against 4
annexation. Il is TO the interest OF .
both countries.
Advantages of Z Union.
The environment Of Cuba. a small /
country. right under the SHADOW Of the
Great Republic. with the trials and dlf-
fculties that beset her OF the threshold
OF her national life, these and othc-
things stand in the way Of her being long
an Independent nation; while as q State
n the American Union her people would /
be prosperous and progressive; the pro
ducts OF her soil. the richest on earth.
would ind q ready market ~ home ana
abroad; he. people would become citi-
zens Of the Great Republic, an honor
greater than being Roman citizens in
the best days Of the Roman Empire, and
enjoy the liberty and all the blessings
that would flow from being part OF me
best. greatest. and freest Government
IN the world I,
After annexation the products Of Cuba
would not come into hurtful ccmpetI-
ton with those of the United States
Free trade among the States has never
lowered the price Of labor or worked in
Jury 10 American interests. Wherever 3
our flag floats the price Of Iabo- ad-
vances- Under our immigration laws
this would soon be the case in Cuba. aad
the price Of labor IN both countries }
would be the same for the same work
Would Aid Beet Sugar. 1,
It is claimed that annexation would Z
destroy the promising and growing beet
sugar industry Of the United States.
Not so, However. The price OF products :
among the States Of the Union always b
seeks an equilibrium With proper pro II
lection In favor Of the cane sugar Of e
Cuba. which she viii enjoy as a State, a
and the beet sugar Of the United States,
within fifteen years the United States
would not only produce enough sugar S
for its own consumption, but largely 0
compete with other countries in the G
markets Of the world. q
But for the war With Spain. although p
= successful and glorious. Cuba would 81
now be part OF the United States. Re Il