New-York tribune., 1901-10-24
FIGHT OVER CUBA LIKELY.
QUESTIONS To COME UP EARLY IN THE
SESSION OF CONGRESS.
REPUBLICANS SOLID AGAINST FREE TRADE
AND NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. IN THE
DEMOCRATIC RANKS
my TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1BuxE.I

Washington oct. 23.-Reports from Havana
that petitions for the annexation of Cuba to the
United States are being quietly circulated and
are receiving the signatures OF large numbers
of influential Cubans throughout the island
continue TO reach Washington through both Off
cial and private sources. The movement is
generally regarded in Washington as prema-'
ture. to say the least Of it, although it cannot
be denied that 1t is exciting a lively interest in
all circles here. The comment it has aroused
indicates plainly that the Cuban question will
be brought before Congress at an early stage
of the session. and that the fight il will pre-
cipitate vii! he sharply defined along party
lines II is known that the Democrats, eager.
10 make political capital out of the issue Tor
next years Congressional campaign viii insist.
first. on absolute free trade with Cuba, and. sec
ond. outright annexation without even wait
ing for the Cubans TO have a trial at depend
cnt self-government. The indications NOW are
that the Republicans in both the Senate and
House viii align themselves soidy against both
Of these propositions, which OF course. means
that Cuba win get neither free trade with the
United States nor annexation.
THE DEMOCRATS DIVIDED.
It is expected that the Democrats will divide
on both propositions. just as they did in the
House on the Foraker Porto Rico bill with the
the end produce a more decided and permanent
party schism than caused by the split in
the House over the treatment Of Porto Rico
There is no doubt. for example. what the en-
tire Louisiana delegation. which is solidly Dem
ocratic will do Already the Senators and Rep
resentatives from that State are preparing TO
resist to the limit every movement having for
its object either. annexation or free trade with
Cuba. Indeed, these Democrats even go so far
as to declare that no reciprocity arrangement
embracing the free admission of Cuban sugar
to this country shall be made In North Caro-
lima and other tobacco growing States of the
South many prominent newspapers are warning
their Senators and Representatives against sup
porting any measure which seeks to bring
Cuban tobacco and its products into competi-
tion in the home market with the American
product
Senator Carmack of Tennessee, a fair repre-
sentative of the younger element of Democratic
Senators. said to-day that he would fight from
the opening Of Congress for absolute free trade
with Cuba, regardless of the wishes of his Dem
ocratic colleagues from the sugar and tobacco
States We shall raise the free trade stand /
ard" said Mr.. Carmack. "and demand that all !
Democrats and our allies in both houses rally
around it. Those who do not respond to our
call will no longer be regarded as Democrats |
am prepared for the Louisiana Senators and /
Representatives to desert, as usual. and for my
part 1 don't care if they do. Democrats every |
where ought by this time be sufficiently tired |
and disgusted with the treachery of the Lousi- |
ana delegation all propositions looking to !
tariff reform and broader trade conditions to be |
ready to wish that Louisiana would go over TO
the Republicans, body. soul and breeches."
There is also another uncertain element in |
their heterogeneous organization in the forth |
coming Congress with which ic
managers will probably have trouble over their !
Cuban programme This element comprises the |
Popusts and free silver Republicans from the |
West who especially strong in the Senate !
Senator Teller is known to be uncompromising- |
ly opposed to the annexation of Cuba while the |
attitude of several Of his colleagues is regarded
as extremely doubtful If the annexation prop
present knows what course would be taken by |
Mr.. Patterson. the Senator from Colorado: |
Senators Heitfeld and Dubois of Idaho; Senator |
Harris of Kansas or Senator Turner of Wash |
ington.
REPUBLICAN POLICY DEFINED
While the Republican policy on the questions
has not yet been matured in detail the party |
policy generally speaking. is very we'll defined. |
acknowledged leaders of the Senate, and the un-
disputed leader in all legislation as to Cuba. is
known to favor a limited degree of reciprocity.
which will take the form of magnanmous con-
cessons to Cuba. but he is also known to be