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Show Forcig'n Nations Should Be Invited to Cede i West Indies to America. Ey SKN'ATOR FRANK B. WILLIS, of Ohio. A 4 ' - - V - 'v. M ' :'."': t. I make this suggestion : That as a means of part payment of their debts to the Uuitod States, foreign nations he invitee to cole, with the consent and approval ap-proval of the inhabitants, their islam possessions in the West Indies. Alxjut the validity of the cL'bts owinjj our country there can he no question. There is much talk of canceling can-celing the debt. Tin; American people will not tolerate the adoption of such a policy; the government has no way of getting money except by taxation, and the cancellation can-cellation of the foreign deht means added burden for the taxpayer. There is no disposition to deal harshly with the allied nations na-tions who are our debtors, but they must rerognize the binding force of Iheir obligations. Their West Indian possessions would be of greater value to this country coun-try I ban to any other. We have no disposition to be aggressive or to take any territory contrary to the wishes of its inhabitants. Our course in Cuba is the best proof of this, but these islands which are the natural protectors of the Panama canal route geographically belong to the United States rather than to European powers. From all reports, the vast majority of their inhabitants would welcome such control over their affairs as is exercised exer-cised by the L'niled Stales over Porto Rico. The cession of these islands would enable deht ridden countries of Europe to discharge their obligations in part and at the same time would guarantee the security of the Panama canal, and be such an impetus for the industrial life of the South as not heretofore has been dreamed of. |