Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-12-30
Considerable Opposition Deyel-
oping to Ratification of
Compact with Cuba
FRIENDS OF TREATY CONCERNED
President Has Had the Subject Under
Consideration With Various Senators
Opposition Comes From Two
sources-Germany May Make De-
mand for Similar Concessions.

washington, Dec. Sp.-ConSiderable
opposition is developing to the ratifica-
ton of the Cuban reciprocity treaty
now pending in the senate. 1t Is not
taking quite the form that the opposi-
ton to the Cuban legislation took last
spring, but 1t is sufficient in substance
to give concern to the friends of the
treaty.
From time to time, as opportunity
offers, the president is discussing the
matter with senators, particularly those
who are known to have objected to the
enactment of legislation extending to
the Cuban republic.
Several weeks ago it appeared that
the treaty when presented to the SEN
ate would be ratified without difficulty,
but some senator's are now taking as
strong grounds against the treaty as
they took against the legislation pro-
posed at the last session of congress.
These senators are of two classes,
those who are opposed on principle to
any tariff tinkering" and those who
represent states whose products may
be affected by the concessions extend
ed to Cuba by the pending treaty.
Senators of the first class might be
induced to support the treaty, mas
much as 1t does not involve, in their
view, an attack on the system of pro-
lection, were it not for their apprehen-
sion that the ratification of the Cuban
treaty may lead to a demand from 9TH
err countries that they, too, be accorded
special tariff concessions by the United
States.
1t has been indicated to the president
that in the event of the ratification of
the Cuban treaty, demand may be
expected from Germany within thirty
accorded Cuba.
The most distinct desire of the Ger
man emperor, 1T is pointed out, is for
the extension of the foreign commerce
of his empire. He of course regards
Cuba as a nation foreign to the United
States, and, SO far as that point is con-
cerned, on all fonrs with Germany. II
tariff concessions are granted to Cuba,
Germany, under the most favored rla-
ton clause, will request that she be
given similar concessions. That re-
quest may take the form of almost a
demand. If it be not granted. the ar
gument is expressed that Germany
may enact legislation that Will be inim-
ical to the industrial development of
this country, so far as Germany is con-
cernea, even if 1t should not curtail
American commerce already estab-
lished in Germany and Its possessions
The same argument is applied to
other countries, Germany being used
simply as an example of what may be
expected of all of the great foreign ma
tons with which the United States has
extensive commercial relations.
Yesterday the president had an
hours conference with Senator Scott
of West Virginia, during which they
Its phases.
Senator Scott Is offering no captious
opposition to the Cuban treaty, but he
is particularly DESTROYS that nothing
should be done that in the end might
result In any concession on the part of
the United States from the present tar
if policy.
The president, 1t is understood, be-
lieves that the pending treaty with
Cuba will be ratified He desires that
1t should be ratified as promptly as
possible and with as little friction as
may be. He sees in the proposed ratf-
fcation no possible assault on the tariff
policy of this country, and belives that
1t will be simply the redemption of a
promise. direct or implied. made to the
Cuban people when they were In the
throes of the organization of their
government.
In this view the president is support
ed by large majority of the republic
can senators. While some trouble is
anticipated in effecting the ratification
OF the treaty 1t Is believed generally
that ratification will not be delayed
se1Nnl1Sly