New-York tribune., 1902-03-26
THE RECIPROCITY FIGHT.
PASSAGE OF THE PAYNE BILL NOT TO
BE DELAYED MUCH LONGER.
IBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE.l


Washington, March 25.-The handful of stub
born opponents among House Republicans to
the administrations policy Of reciprocity with
Cuba continue 70 threaten the Payne bill with
defeat 1t is known, however, that they have
not the strength to beat the measure nor much
longer TO postpone its passage. But for the
earnest desire of the party managers In the
House to bring in the bill from the Ways and
Means Committee with the united support or
Republican members it is not improbable that
the measure would have been reported before
this date. Three of the eleven Republicans on
the committee are begging for an opportunity to
present the last obstacle TO the bill which is the
proposition for the abolition of the differential
now imposed on refined sugar from Cuba,
strict and dangerous tariff revision project, the
one thing, curiousy enough, which the beet root
representatives claim to be trying to avoid 1t
is confidently believed. however. that this prop
ostion. like ali the others brought forward by
the beet sugar people for the sole purpose of de-
lay. will be voted down in the Ways and Means
Committee. as all the other propositions of the
beet sugar people have been voted down by an
overwhelming majority in the House caucus
When this is done the fight for Cuban reciproc-
ity as urged by President Roosevelt and
planned by Senator Platt. Of Connecticut and
other farseeng Republican leaders and protec-
ton defenders Of the Senate. will have been
won The only thing Of Importance which then
will remain to be done is the amendment of the
House bill by the Senate so to provide for
mutual tariff concessions Of - instead Of 20 per
cent
A PROTECTIONIST FOR RECIPROCITY.
Ex-senator Washburn. Of Minnesota. one of
the most extensive business men and strongest
protectionists of the Northwest. arrived In
Washington to-day from a visit 10 Cuba and
added his testimony 10 the mass Of arguments
for reciprocity. He said
The conditions in Cuba have improved In a
certain way. In Havana there IS an air or
cleanliness that is really pleasant to breathe.
It had been ten years since l was last IN
Havana. and I noticed the change at once.
Financially the people Of Cuba are IN deSper-
ate condition There is no mstaking the sent-
ment that the island must have some relef
from the tariff OH sugar. The sentiment is deep.
desperate is a better word. il is a question OF
survival The appeals the people make are
almost pathetic From commercial viewpoint
they have received no advantages since TINS
government became responsible for the island.
They are looking to relief from the duties now
enforced on sugar, followed as II would be by
close reciprocity relations. That is what the
DeOpIa Of Cuba want, what they are praying
for fairly begging for. There seems to he dis
position on the part Of our people TO grant some
thing in the line I think TO give the people or
Cuba anywhere near a reasona bly, fair chance
there should he a reduction Of % per cent at
least from the present duty on sugar. coupled
with close reciprocity relations. rms would
mean advantageous reciprocal returns 10 this
country.