Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-06-30
ELK|NS ON Annexation
West Virginia Senator Addresses
the Senate in Behalf OF His
Resolution.
Would Annex the Island OF
Cuba, If the Islanders Are
Willing.
Believes That the Step Is Bound
to Be Taken Sooner
or Later.

Washington, June 30.-When the
senate convened today a resolution Of
fered by Morgan calling upon the sec
retary of state for statement of eX-
penditures of the Isthmian canal COM
nilsson was adopted. Elkins, of West
Virginia, then addressed the senate in
support of his resolution providing for
annexation by the United States of the
island of Cuba.
Mr.. Elkins said his resolution had
been misunderstood. 1t had no bearing
upon Cuban reciprocity and was not
intended to have any. 1t simply voiced
in concrte form his judgement. that
Cuba ought 70 be annexed to the United
States, the sooner the better for both
countries. The resolution did not sug-
eest annexation of Cuba in an often
sive way, it provided that the Cubans
must take the initiative and only after
they had asked for annexation could the
United States act. For nearly CEN
tury annexation of Cuba to the United
States had been ambition of American
craftsmanship. He pointed out that
many distinguished patriotic American
statesmen from Jefferson to Mckinley.
had favored annexation and he thought
the present was the opportune time to
Garry into effect the well-defined
wishes of the majority of the people OF
Cuba and the United States in regard
to annexation. 1t is in the interests of
both countries. The environments of
Cuba, with the trials of difficulties that
beset her on the threshold of her ma
tional life, and in ths. way of her being
long an independent nation; while as
state in the American union her people
would be prosperous and progressive,
and enjoy liberty and all the blessings
that would flow from being a part of
the best, greatest and freest govern
ment in the world.
After annexation the products of
Cuba would not come into hurtful COM
petition with those of the United
States. Free trade among the states
has never lowered the price of labor or
worried injury 70 American interests.
Wherever our flag floats the price of
labor advances.
1t is claimed annexation would des-
troy the promising and growing beet
sugar industry in the United States. 1t
is not so, however. The price of pro-
ducts among the states of the union al
ways seeks equilibrium With proper
protection in favor of the cane 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 it's own consumption, but largely
compete with other countries in the
markets of the world. But for the war
with Spain, altho so successful and
glorious. Cuba would now be part of
the United States The effect OF the
platt amendments will be to help bring
about annexation. The nation cannot
long remain half free and half ,nde-
pendent; such condition embarasses
healthy progress in national life and
leaves but little room for the exercise
of the genius and intelligence of the
people in the affairs of government. es-
pecialy when under such restrictions as
these amendments impose. The ques-
ton of annexation forces itself to the
front and will claim from now on the
attention of the people of both coun.
tries.
Reciprocity with Cuba affords no ad-
equate remedy for what threatens her
interests Twenty per cent reduction in
her tariff and ours will do Cuba as
people or a government little or no
good, while it will work great harm TO
the interests of the United States.
Elkins' Cuban resolution was refer
red to the committee on Cuban affairs.
A bill was passed to give Schley the
nav of q rear admiral on the active list
instead of a retired rear admlrals pay.