The Washington times., 1902-06-20
Will Meet This Afternoon
and Discuss Cuban
Reciprocity Bill.
SEVERAL PLANS IN VIEW
May Finally Allow President to Ne
gotiate a Commercial Treaty-Ad-
ministration Anxious to Have Entire
Matter Fought Out in Open Session.

The Senate Republicans viii have an
other conference this afternoon over the
Cuban reciprocity situation. 1t will be
held after the adjournment Of Congress
for the day.
1t is believed probable that the con-
ference will adhere to the plan adyo-
Gated by many Senators in both branch
es of the party of passing a resolution
requesting the President to negotiate
a commercial treaty with Cuba. This
plan includes the dropping Of the reel.
procity project entirely at the present
session.
There was not yesterday, however.
that unanimity of opinion as to this
course, that seemed to exist on We'd
nesday. Some of the Administration
Senators intend to make an effort to
secure authorization from the confer
ence to carry the fight on to the floor
of the Senate. The beet sugar men, who
in the conference Wednesday night stood
firm against the reciprocity bill will
continue their opposition today. But
Senator Platt intends to move that the
bill be reported to the Senate and dis
cussed there.
May Result in Long Fight.
II the other thirty-fve Administration
Republicans, who viii be present. sup
port this motion, it will, of course, pre-
vail. and the result will be long, hot
fight. that will extend the session in
definitely. ~
Party considerations will, however,
govern in reaching conclusion on this
point, and 1t probably will be determined
that it is not to the interests Of the Re-
publicans to publicly exhibit the dissen-
sions within their ranks on the eve
of the Congressional elections.
There is also some doubt as to the
form of the resolution requesting the
President to negotiate a treaty, II such
a resolution is adopted. President
Roosevelt himself is understood to have
expressed himself as willing to accept
the treaty plan and give up the reci-
procity bill II he receives the promise
from tho Republicans that there Will be
no opposition to his treaty when 1t is
presented. 1t Is also said that he would
IKE 10 uGROlldlc tut TREATY liIluSuiatciy
and then call an extra session to ratify
it II the Administration Senators could
secure consent TO such plan.
May Withhold Pledge.
1t is believed, however. that the op-
position Senators will object to giving
any pledge to support treaty until
they know what 1t will contain.
There is much speculation among the
Republicans as to whether Senator We'll
! lington will attend the conference to-
night His action In entering the first
conference caused heated comment IN
some quarters. .s=s.--l-
One statement is that Mr.. Wellington
was not invited to the meeting. all
OF the others present having received
from Senator Allison, the chairman, a
request to be present.
The Maryland Senator's name has not
been on the official list of Republican
Senators for more than two years, he
having formally separated from the Re-
publican party and publicly announced
the fact Since that time until We'd
nesday night he has not attended con-
ference by Republican Senators.
He was one of the beet sugar men
who attended Senator Burrows dinner
that preceded the conference and was
taken to the marble room by Senator
Stewart of Nevada. The secretary OF
the conference read Mr.. Wellington S
name when the roll was called. He
made speech in opposition to the pol
icy of the majority.
Senator McComas Angry.
Senator McComas of Maryland, Mr..
Wellington's Republican colleague. in
particular. is said to be angry at the
latter's attitude and If he is present
tonight the question OF his right TO at
tend a party conference of Republican
Senators will be raised by Mr.. McComas.
Mr. Wellington is said to have defend
ed his course in the matter by the
statement that he is with the Repuo-
licaus on all questions except that OF
the Philippine policy of the Administra-
fiOu-