The Washington times., 1901-12-09
CUBAN DUTIES
TO REMAIN.
Hostile Interests in Senate
to Prevent Change.
OEUS PLACED upon THE HOUSE.
The Presidents Recommenda-
tions to Be Sidetracked by IT.
voking Excuse of Constitutional
Prerogatives of Legislation.

The fact that President Roosevelt has
come out fat-footed in favor of liberal
concessions TO the Cubans. in the way of
reductions in the present duty on sugar
and tobacco imported Into the United States
from Cuba. has brought the new Chief
Executive directly into conflict with Con-
gress. and, according TO the Republican
leaders in the Senate. merry war is in
evitable unless Mr. Roosevelt does what
he has never been known to Go in She
past-back down and surrender.
In the recommendation in his message
which refer TO Cuba, the President has
gotten as far away from the Republican
leaders in Congress as he could possibly
get He has made Il clear that he viii
stgEd by his position and VIII continue to
demand fair treatment for the Cubans
until he evokes some response from Con-
gress. The Republican tariif leaders are
equally certain that they will not surren-
der to the President so that the outlook
for a fight between the White House and
Congress Is very bright. The President
reciprocity declarations are not oonsid-
cred by Republican leaders as demands
for legislation on that subject. and the
An Alliance of Interests.
With the backing of the high protection
lists and their allies. the beet sugar neo-
pie, the Republican leaders in both SEN
ate and House have prepared a liule
scheme whereby the President will be
compelled TO acknowledge himself beaten.
and which will ensure those Interested
from any disturbance in the rates ca
sugar and tobacco The plan was agreed
upon at a conference held on Saturday.
and If ii is put through will, in all prob
ability. prove successful.
The proposed plan is clever orc. and
viii prove entirely satisfactory to all
high protectionists 1t provides that
number of prominent Senators who have
expressed themselves as favorable to con
cessions TO Cuba, and who are known 70
be on good terms with the President. VIII
suddenly discover that the House leaders
are TO insist On the exercise OF the con
stituticn3l prerogatiye which gives 10 the
House the authority 10 originate legisll-
tion affecting the revenues of the Govern
ment
The Part of House Leaders.
The House leaders. according 70 Tie
programme. are 10 demand that the legis-
lation regarding reduction on imports
from Cuba shall originate in The House
and not in the Senate The Republican
Senator'S. who are only too glad to eyade
the responsibility in this delicate matter.
viii CheeTfully concede to the House
everything that Il demands and will 1T
the same time compel the lower branch
OF Congress 10 shoulder all the onus aad
trouble that go with the privilege CT
shaping the Cuban legislation
The Republican leaders In the Senate.
while admitting that something should be
done FOR Cuba. are OF the opinion that
nothing viii Re effected in the way OF
tarih concessions during the present scs-
sion. The high protectionists and the
beet sugar people. being In power on the
House side, VIII attend to seeing that the
rates on sugar and tobacco are not dis
turbed. II is held. so that the Senate viii
moi be held responsible for lack OF action
and viii avoid the unpleasant ordeal OF
voting on the tariff question.
Explaining Lack OF Action.
In the House the claim will be made
that this is not the proper time to adjust
this question. and the argument VIII be
made that We must wait until the Gu
bans are in a position 20 give some re-
turn for the concessions they demand
Cuba is expected 20 do something for GER
tain products Of the United States ia ex-
change for the concessions. II will also
be held that these are matters which are
usually adjusted by treaty negotiations
and II viii be nearly a year before there
will be an independent Cuban govern
ment capable OF arranging commercial
treaties.
In all probability the whole matter viii
be laid over until the second session OF
the present Congress. and despite the
fact that both the President and Secre-
tary Root are working hard for the tariff
concessions. ii is predicted by those who
ought to know that nothing will be done
for cuba at The present session.