Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-06-19
Our Duty to Cuba.

VuA Qosy w SoSe
We have called attention to the
great need OF the West In assisting
the industry Of beet sugar production
and have believed that Senator Bur
ton in striving to do this is better
serving Kansas than is Congressman
Long in working for the Cuban recl'
procity bill. That others take the
same view is seen In the following
vigorous editorial from the Globe
Democrat:
Nothing strikingly new appears
In President Roosevelts message ad'
vocating special reciprocal tariff rela'
tions with Cuba, and nothing calcu'
lated to change the opinion Of Repub'
licans who object to any disturbance
at present OF the Dingley tariff at the
expense OF our own industries and
also strongly condemn the use made
OF the Cuban concession measure BY
the free trade propsgsndists and the
sugar trust. The president seems to
have an undue idea Of the alleged OBJ
legation Of this country to modify the
tariff to meet the needs Of Cuba, but
when search 10 made for the terms
Of any pledge in that regard none can
be found. Tariff relations with Cuba
are . matter to be intelligently ad'
justed by the legislative branch OF
the government, and any pressure ap-
piled to congress on the basis OF exec
utive favor Is more likely to arouse
resentment than a spirit Of compli-
ance. A dispatch from the Cuban
president Is cited, In which Mr.. Palma
urges that the United States should
extend legislative relief before 1t is
too late and Cuba financially ruined.
But II the success OF the Cuban repub-
lie hangs by this one thread its
iragility is extreme and hopeless.
what the president has to say Of
Hawaii and Porto Rico tends to weak.
en- bis statement Of the case, since
these islands are a part Of our terri.
tory, occupying position that while
open to the Cubans, has been rejected
by them. The Republicans Of the
United States will be glad to notice
that the president In this message
speaks Of the protective system under
which the country has thriven so
msrvelously, but will not agree with
him that mo American industry will
be hurt and many American industries
will be benefited by the proposed
action Since this question Of tariff
reduction on Cuban imports came to
the front sneering references to the
beet sugar industry have been fire.
quent, but that business has precisely
the same right to protection as is be-
slowed upon any other American In
dustry. 1t is likely to become an in
tersst Of enormous value to the whole
country; but in any case 1t has an
equal claim, and those who deride 1t
are ready, as occasion arises to ridl'
Guile the protective principle in any
practical form.
1.-THE president suggests that in
reducing the tariff on Cuban imports
care should be taken that the substan'
tial benefit should not inure to the
American sugar retiners. Yet, it Is
to be noted in this connection that
the refners combined in the sugar
trust have been furnishing cash to
manufacture sentiment for the Cuban
tariff concession the president has
heretofore recommended. The presi-
dent says the life Of Cuba depends
upon our attitude toward her. II the
tariff attitude is meant, the spark OF
life in Cuba as an independent
sovereignty is so feeble that the end
can not be long delayed. 1t is not
the business OF the United States 10
sustain any other nation by tariff
iavoritism The praise OF Gen.
Woods administration, with which
the message ends, must be modified
by decided objection to the contri'
button from the Cuban treasury to
facilitate the missionary labors Of a
free trade organization. This feeling
is SO pronounced that Gen. Wood
could not easily secure congressional
confirmation for another administra.
t;va x,oo;t;on