The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-03-11
DIVIDED ON PUERTO RICO.
xIPUBLTcAN sENATORs TRYING 70
* TO0ETHKR.

c.,,.rsnos n, which tho Steering Com.
u,,,,.s.. Free Trade Proposition VA
n,.,ussed-A Proposition to Strike Out
az tn. Foraker Bill the Provision for
a C,y,i Government for the Island.
WARRINGTON. March 10.-A proposition has
h..n made BY some OF the leading Republican
u.nbsrs Of the Senate that the Foraker bill
%, pusrto Rico be amended By striking out
the provision for a civil government. The ad-
,ocn,.s OF this plan believe that By 40 doing
,hs Hill can 10 disposed OF at Q much earlier
6.v Early action they deem necessary on ac-
sount OF the condition OF the Inhabitants
n, the island and the need for immediate
measures calculated TO restore prosper.
iv Another consideration which led TO
the proposition 10 that Congress does not a.
vet know precisely what Is needed In tho way
o, a form OF government for Puerto Rico.
Senator Platt OF Connecticut 10 one OF those
who believes that Il Is too early to attempt any
elaborate scheme OF government for the
Island. He believes that Congress should walt
until the people OF this country and the mem.
bers Of Congress learn more about tho oon-
ditions existing In Puerto Rico and more about
the needs and capacities Of the Puerto Rioan
people.
Senator Platt proposed some time ago, In
formally, that Puerto Rico should Do soverned
for tho present under . resolution similar to
that which was applied to Louisiana early In
this century. and precisely like the Spooner reso-
lu,ion for the government. OF the Philippines.
He has never ceased to believe that this would
provide the m ost satisfactory arrangement at
present for Puerto Rico. and there are q mum.
Der OF members OF the Senate who share this
belief.
The discussion among Senators who met In
com rooms to-day and discussed the
party programme in the Senate was occupied
oh iehy with these two considerations In favor
o. securing q vary early passage OF the Puerto
Rice bin bv dropping the part providing Tor q
civil government. There was a 30 q great deal
OF discussion about the proposition. which was
published in THE SuS this morning.. to amend
the House bill by providing FOR the Tree ad.
Ission OF goods from the United states into
Puerto Rico and for the reduction OF the Is
per cent. prov sion as applied to Imports from
Puerto Rico into the United States.
A number OF members Of the Senate are
opposed to thi. plan. but tho member OF the
stee,iag Committee are for II, and there is q
strong probability that an amendment TO that
effect will be offered In the Senate next week.
II IL being urged IN some quarters against this
ou AtluNF plAl' " w Wv
nouse who oppressed free trade most strenu-
ousIy will be Obliged to. reverse their position,
practically. when the bill with the. proposed
amendment goes TO the House from the
Conference Committee. The Amendment,
however, does not sacrifice the constitutional
principle. 80 called, that has been contend.
ing Tor.
Senator Foraker. chairman Of the Senate
Puerto Rico Committee. 10 strongly opposed to
the mendmeut nj the measure a. proposed
to-day. lie believes that the civil govern ment
provisions should be attached. and at present
II seems impossible 20 secure MS consent 70
the new programme.
Late this afternoon a conference was held IN
the committee room. OF Senator Plat OF Con-
n~ecticu'. In which the Puerto Rico question
was discussed. Those present were Senator
Platt, Senator Hanna, Senator Spooner, Repre-
sentative rayne and REPRESENTATIVE Russell.
Senator Plat and MIR Russell, represent
especially the advocates OF q high tarin
between the United states and. Puerto
Rico. Mr.. Russell originally wished e,
The present rates, ana senator flatt now has
an amendment before tn" senate providing
for 30 per cent. Of the present rates. Repre-
sentative Payne IA willing TO accept anything
that ia satisfactory TO the others and he Ia not
enforcing his claims OF leadership. The con-
ference did not result in q discussion OF q
particular line OF procedure. but there were
expressions pro AMI con regarding the pro-
position To abolish the tariff on United states
products going into Puerto Rico and redIcinR
The Is per cent. provision on Puerto hican
goods coming into the United states: me
discussion also took account or the pronable
difficulties TO arise out OF a disagreement be-
tween the House and the Senate on the
mpAalra.