Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-10
ELKINS WANTS
TREATY FOR
CUBANS
FRIENDS OF THE SENATOR SAY
HIS POSITION ON CUBAN AZ
FAIRS HAS BEEN MISUNDER-
STOOD IN CONGRESS.

SlOOD IN GUN6hESS.
WASHINGTON. d. C., July a-Accord-
Ing 10 the statements Of those in the
confidence OF Senator EIkins, his posi-
ton IN regard 20 the bill providing for
reciprocity with Cuba. which was de-
feated largely through HIS efforts. as
well as his attitude on the subject of
Cuban annexation. has been misrepresent-
ed and misunderstood.
The Misrepresentation are not, Il Is
believed wfllful, but have been due 70 the
fact that the senator never explained his
position until the closing hours OF the
session The misunderstanding was but
natural. for IL was thought by all who
were not otherwise informed that the SEN
ator's objection 20 the reciprocity bill was
due 20 HIS desire 20 protect the beet sugar
Industry against Cuban sugar. While this
Is. IN measure true. Senator ElSins took
the broader ground that IL would be i'm
possible 20 pass the bill in the senate
without opening up a general tariff de-
bate, the effect OF which would be very
harmful 20 the business interests OF the
country by disturbing the equilibrium and
there was a possibility OF a general revis-
Ton OF the tariff which could be done
through amendments 70 the bill.
FaVors a Treaty.
Consequently he opposed the consider
alton OF the subject by the senate. IN the
form OF q bill but suggested and IL now
appears that his suggestion will be the one
70 be finally carried out. that a reciprocity
treaty should be drafted by the executive
and submitted 10 the senate for ratifica-
ton with Cuba as with all other countries.
To this method OF procedure Senator Elk
ms has no objection.
His purpose IN presenting TO the senate
the subject OF annexation was TO call
attention early in the day 10 the fact
that the annexation OF Cuba like the an
nexatiOn OF Texas Is inevitable. The SEN
ator denies absolutely any connection be-
tween his fight against the reciprocity
bill and his resolution paving the way for
the annexation OF the island
A close friend OF Senator Elkins. who Is
familiar with his position on this subject
stated today that he believed that when
the facts became known the position OF
the senator would be more appreciated by
the country at large.
Friend Of Roosevelt.
Senator Elkins." he said. "felt that in
opposing reciprocity with Cuba by means
OF bill passed by congress. as was pro-
posed. he was thoroughly in accord with
the views OF President Roosevelt. ana the
late President Mckinley who favored the1
idea OF reciprocity with the nations of
the world. Mr.. Elkins represented 70 the
president that 20 take up the house bill
IN the senate would provoke a long and
disastrous debate and perhaps lead TO a
general revision OF the tariff. which the
president. as well as the leading and most
influential members OF his party in both
branches OF congress were very anxious
20 avoid He also represented to the
president that whatever financial relief
Cuba might need could be granted bv
means of rebate without injury to any
domestic industry OF this country. II was
his impression that the president agreed
with him at first. although later Mr..
Roosevelt stated that the rebate system
would not be acceptable, as Il might Of
fend the sensibilities Of the Cubans who
would be placed In the position OF suppl
cants- Mr. Elkins then proposed the
framing Of a reciprocity treaty by the ex-
ecutive- 70 be ratified by the senate as
other reciprocity treaties.
This proposition was at the time reject
ed. but Il Is now substantially assured that
Il win be the means by which the object
OF the president viii be finally attained.
Senator Elkins took his keynote from the
annual message OF the president. in which
he said.
Protection by Tariff.
Reciprocity must be treated as the
hand-naiden OF protection. Our first duty
IL TO see that the protection granted by the
tarin In every case where Il is needed is
maintained. and that reciprocity be sought
for. 80 far as Il can be safely done with
out injury 10 any OF our home industries
Mr.. Elkins argued. with a number OF
other senator's. that reciprocity along the
lines Of the house bill would be injurious
TO at least one OF our home industries
and he believed that he was thoroughly in
acord with the doctrine enunciated in the
presidents message. that reciprocity
should not be sought after when 1t might
prove injurious TO home Industries. which
"a 1af~ eaa~ II f.r~i
Mckinley. Blaine and Harrison. The SEN
ator one day pithily defined his stand by
saying, There Is no precedent for increas-
ing or lowering the duties by legislation.
except as a whole. You cannot take links
out OF a chain and still maintain the
strength OF the chain. or claim you have
q chain at all The fact that Senator FL
million dollars a year from the United
States treasury by means OF rebate plan,
shows II was not his desire 10 be parsimo-
Nous with the people OF Cuba.
II happen 20 know that Mr.. EIkins Of
fered 20 support the house bill II II could
be brought into the senate and passed un-
changed That proposition was rejected.
because. so Il appears. the bill carried
with II the removal OF the differential on
refined sugar. which did not meet with the
approval OF certain influential Republican
members OF the senate. Mr.. Elkins de-
clined 20 support the bill II IL was to be
brought into the senate subject TO all kinds
OF amendments. accompanied by a run
ming debate on the revision OF the tariff.
VIII Agree With EIkfns.
Il have no hesitancy in expressing the
belief that the greater part OF those who
have studied the question viii agree with
the position taken by Senator EIkins both
from a political and a commercial stand
point. for II must be apparent 70 all that
a discussion OF the tariff extending over
one, two or three months. with a cam
paign coming on. would have unsettled
business and would certainly have afforded
the Democrats ample opportunity TO ex-
pIoit their views concerning the tariff and
the trusts and given them an abundance OF
campaign material. I am under the i'm
preston that the senator would support a
reciprocity treaty. should one be sub
mitted 10 the senate BY the president. So
much for his attitude on reciprocity.
Senator Elkins has been literally crit
icized for presenting a resolution invit-
ing Cuba 20 become a part OF the United
States. The claim has been made that by
doing so offense has been given TO Cuba
The senator fails TO understand why a
weak. dependent natiOn-fOr Cuba must
as long as the Platt amendment remains
IN force. be a dependent natiOn-could
feel in the slightest degree Inundated. or
could have ground for Offense at being in
vited by a great and powerful nation such