OCR Text |
Show Bv B Annexation and Beet Sugar. B As to beet sugar interests, I may say H that the industry hits been brought to a B standstill by the threatening demands H for territorial expansion. The annexa- B tion of Cuba and the introduction of V Cuban sugar into this country will be K tho death-knell of the beet sugar intcr- H esta of tho United States. The an- B nexation of Hawaii is a severe blow, B but its efl'ei ts can be overcome. We m ' opposed the annexation of Hawaii be- R cause it means to perpetuate tho reci- B procity agreement under which llawai- H ian sugar is now admitted free into this H country. Hawaii can produce but a B small proportion of the sugar needed for H American consumers, but the free ad- H mission of Cuba will be practically H turning oyer the most valuable market B in the world, without any recompense, to tlie poorly-paid half-bred sugar pro-I pro-I . lucers of Cuba, with whom no Amcri- can farmer could venture to compete. I cannot understand how farmers of this country can for one moment enter tain a proposition intended to deprive them of all possibility of profit in one of tho most valuable crops they can raiso. ?o one will put money iu beet-sugar factories whilo the menace of Cuban annexation is hanging over us. The question must be settled, because the suspense is almost as btidns annexation would be. On tho other hand, should tho question of territorial expansion bo decided positively by the announcement I of a determination to abide by our traditional pol'cy aiul to lefuso to be tempted by such dangerous gifts as t Cuba and tho Philippines, I believe the beet Biigar industry will begin to expand, not only in Nebraska but in all agricultural agricul-tural states suitable for beet-3iigar culture, cul-ture, and that together with encouragement encourage-ment afforded by the present tariff, tho American farmer will soon bo able to supply the entire American market. Omaha Bee. |