Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-23
MADE AN ONSLAUGHT
Republicans Attack Cuban
Annexation Resolution.
SENATOR PLATT'S PLEA
ISLAND, HE DECLARES, OUR
NEIaHBoR, NOT OUR WARD.
Mr.. Lodge Apprehends Bad Effect
From the Introduction OF
the Measure.
SENATOR PLATT'S PLEA

moved to reconsider the reference VI oeh~
tor Newlands resolution to committee.
With that motion as hook upon wh1ch 10
hang few remarks, Senator Hale pro-
ceeded to deliver vigorous denunciauon
of the proposition to annex Cuba.
AS he proceeded the attention of other
republicans was aroused. Senator Platt of
Connecticut, chairman of the committee on
relations with Cuba. author of the famous
Platt amendment. and one of the leaders
of the administration party in the Senate,
spoke earnestly and almost passionately
against the introduction of the resolution.
He expressed the hope that the time
would never come. when Cuba should be
admitted into the union and declared that
the best interests of both nations required
that they should remain apart. he de-
plored the Offering of the resolution at this
time on account OF the effect which 1t
might have upon the Cubans, Leading them
to believe that there was sentiment among
the American people and with the Amer can
government in favor of annexation, sent!-
ment which he insisted did not exist
Senator Lodge joined in depreciation OF
the Newlands resolution lie also Volceo
the hope that Cuba should not become
part Of this government, and regretted that
the introduction of resolution In the
Senate might be taken by the Cubans as
an indication of a sentiment in this country.
When he concluded Senator Spooner
took the floor and was ready to join In
the general expression of republican
opinion when the debate was drawn to
conclusion by the presentation of the re-
port of the committee on committees.
The Cuban matter went over temporarily
and at another time will be brought up
again and debate resumed.
All of the talk today on the republican
side gave the impression of q studied at
tempt by the administration leaders in
that body to reassure the Cubans. to dis
avow any intention OF a desire to inter-
fIo n1Jfn Of hn ha
public and to manifest only the kindest
solicitude for Cuba's welfare.
When the list of committees was read Mr..
Morgan (Ala.) took the floor and said that
he did not regret being removed as chair
man of the COMMITTEES on interoceantc ca
nails. He then discussed recent canal af-
fairs at some length.
When the Senate met Mr.. Cullom Gll)
presented the report of the committee on
foreign relations on the bill to carry into
effect the Cuban reciprocity treaty. The
bill went to the calendar.
The Newlands Resolution.
Mr.. Hale (Maine) then moved to recon-
slider the vote by which the Newlands reso-
luton for the annexation of Cuba was re-
ferred to the committee on relations with
Cuba. He made the motion the basis Of a
speech in opposition to the policy proposed
by the resolution, saying that this country
had already declared it's policy with refer
ence to Cuba by enactfng the Teller resolu--
ton into law. By that vote we had, he
said, hidden Godspeed to Cuba in setting
UP a government for itself, and for himself
he had been agreeably surprised by the
progress made by Cuba in the right direc-
ton. -..
He spoke in commendatory terms of the
peaceful attitude of the present Cuban adj
ministration and referred to the economic
and honest conduct of the fiscal affairs of
that government. He had observed in the
Introduction of the
Newlands resolution and it's reference to
committee had occasioned anxiety in the
island, and he did not wonder that this was
true. All the element of discomfort In the
island would he said indorSe the Newlands
measure, and among these he included the
old Spanish element in Cuba and American
investors there.
1t might be said that the Newlands reso-
luton is only an invitation but granting
this to be true. it is still fact that We
are not in the habit of extending even in
vitations to other countries. We would
not, for instance, extend such an invitation
to Great Britain for the uniting of Canada
to the United States or to Mexico for such
a union. In this connection Mr.. Hale said
incidentally he had doubt that there
were men present who. would live to wit
ness the annexation of Canada to the
United States.
He closed by urging the Senate to take
no step to clog progress In Cuba.
Mr.. Newlands Speaks. So
Mr.. Newlands (Nev) expressed gratificaz
ton tina: his resolution should have SO
early attracted attention. He agreed with
Mr.. Hale in much that he had said con-
corning the program of Cuba, and the char
acter of it's people, Still 1t was a fact that
Cuba had been compelled to confess her in
ability to cope with other nations in bust
ness affairs. He also referred to the con-
cession of the privilege granted to the
United States for erecting Notifications on
Cuban soil, and to our supervision of the
foreign relations of the island well of
the conduct of its sanitary affairs. and said
that as matter Of fact Cuba had already
assumed the attitude of a ward Of the
United States He also advanced the ar
gument that in asking a reduction of the
duty on Cuban products exported to the
United States Cuba was making an excep-
tional request. and he thought we should
respond by offering political rather than
commercial union.
For himself, he had had in mind Cuba s
interest in presenting the resolution, and
he wanted it understood that he represent
ed no Spanish dons or American specu-
lators. He had offered the resolution in
spirit of spoliation, but because he had
believed that the measure would appeal
to the good sense of both the Americans
and the Cubans.
Mr. Newlands said that he had provided
for the attachment of Porto Rico to Cuba
as county or province. in the conviction
that such a union would give the smaller
island stability of government which 1t
could not otherwise secure.
Mr.. Morgan said President Roosevelt had
used his official position to advance his per-
sonal views. One man In the presidential
office might be able to crush all opposition,
but it remained to be seen whether he
could crush the statutes of Congress. The
President had appealed to party prejudice,
and in doing SO showed strong symptoms of
heart failure.
Progress of the Cubans.
Senator Plat of Connecticut, In the
course of his remarks, said
Il can scarcely find words to express
admiration for what has been done in
Cuba up to the present time 1 would, If
it were proper, desire to eulogize not only
the president. but it's leading men, it's legis-
lature and it's citizens for what they have
shown to be the dearest thought of their
lives-the establishment of good, sound,
honest republic.
'They had the pride of nationality and
the love Of liberty. They had the assur-
ance that the United States was their
friend-love of liberty, pride of nationality,
reliance upon the United States-were three
strong foundations upon which to build the
new republic.
1T has been said that Cuba is our ward
4 tNA