Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-24
THE RECIPROCITY PROPOSITION.
1t Hns Excited n Good Deal of IndIg-
nation in Congress.

The appointment of commission by the
Spanish authorities in Cuba to visit this
country and negotiate a reciprocity"
treaty with the United States affecting
Cuban trade. which is made by. Minister
DeLeme, is regarded by statesmen senst-
tive as to points of national honor as i'll
advised and il-tmed. The proposition is
particularly ill-advsed when accompanied,
as it is with the statement that through
the medium of this treaty the last admin
istration hoped to effect compromise be-
tween the insurgents and the Spanish gov
ernment."
During the reign off Weylerism it was
frequently sneeringly remarked in the
Spanish press that this was a nation of
shopkeepers and that we would not dare
do anything autagonistic to Spanish rule
in Cuba if our commercial interests were
appealed to to prevent it.
When the Sag sta cabinet was formed
almost the first announcement mace in
dispatches from Madrid was that the Gu
ban affairs would be in the hands Of a
man who was great advocate of reel
procity. and ii was suggested that through
this might be overcome the sympathy of
the United States with the Cuban insur-
gents. At that time the inSinuationi which
was nothing less than., that this country
could be bribed with an offer of CONNER
cial advantages in Cuba, excited widespread
Indignation go. -,
Nothing more was said 4poblifIx',, on the
subject by the Spanish until now, when
DeLome announces that a reciprocity
treaty is TO be negotiated with respect to
Cuba. and in the same inspired announce
nIent appears the fntmaton' that this Of
ierS means of 'comprOmlSe TO end the
Cuban rebellion. go
The proposition implied is too plain. to
admit of misunderstanding. 1t is4that if
We can get trade advantages in Cuba
through the favor of Spain. the horrors
of the Cuban Instruction will appear less
horrible to us; that our cupidity is greater
than our love of liberty, and that COM
mercial advantages are held by US to be
dearer than national honor "
This insult, instead of helping the cause
of Spain will make it more difficult to
| hold in restraint those who have been in
| fuenced to help the administration keep
| hands off by arguments of international
| comfy and doubts to the propriety OF
| this country interfering except in the
| last extremity. An appeal to cupidity is
| the last appeal that the Spanish minister
| should think of making. 1t is believed that
| if the statement made by him this morning
| had been made before the fight over the
| belligerency amendment to the diplomatic
| bill was settled in the House, it would
have been Impossible to hold the
| House in restraint, and the result would
| have been different. Many men in. Con-
| gress are held in check by sense of pro-
| priety. which. according to their notions
conflicts with their natural sympathy for
| a people struggling for liberty. These men
| do not relish the idea of being treated as
mercenaries.
| 1t is felt that under the existing circum-
| stances this is not time to begin. nego-
| tiations with Spain for commercial privi-
| leges in Cuba. When Spain has estab-
I hshed her ability to govern that island, it
| is thought would be a more appropriate
time for such negotiations, and that even
| then the negotiations would be more prom
| Using and less subject to suspicion and
prejudice If the suggestion were new
| birth, growing out of the new conditions
! then existing. rather than having any
hearing on the action of the United States
| with respect to the Cuban rebellion.
The fact that Mr.. de Lome's suggestion
| has not Influenced the President Is indi-
| Gated by the Maine being ordered to pro
| coed at once to Cuba, as announced Off
cially today.