Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-19
At THE WHITE HOUSE
President Pleased With Ne
braska Conventions Action.
INDORSED RECIPROCITY
THREE STATES HAVE NOW sUs-
TANNED HIS POLICY.
Belief That the Time Has Come for
Every One to Go on Record
Other Matters.

The air of satisfaction that surrounded
President Roosevelt today and manifested
itself in various ways to callers was con-
Sidered juStifabe by those who had read
the action of the republican state conven-
ton of Nebraska yesterday in specifically
commencing the Cuban reciprocity policy of
the chief of the republican party. The
President received with pleasure during
the day the congratulations of party leaders
and warm friends. He naturally looked
upon the Nebraska resolutions the
strongest testimonial to be had of the real
feeling of the rank and file of the party.
To the President personally the action was
gratifying because of the loyalty back of
1t to him, but it was no less gratifying
from a party standpoint. The beet sugar
interests of Nebraska are larger than in
any state of the Union, and If there was
opposition to the course of the administra-
iton 1t would appear there before anywhere
else.
An interesting incident of the morning
was the call of Senator Millard Of Ne
braska, one of the boldest of the republican
minority. The President good-naturedly
told the Nebraska senator how pleased he
was that the republicans of that state
should have so strongly upheld his course.
The Presidents pleasantly was proba bly,
not fully appreciated by his visitor, as the
Nebraska convention severely turned down
the two senator's from that state.
Representative Burkitt of Nebraska called
on the President later in the day and re-
ceived the thanks of the chief executive for
his friendly attitude in the convention.
Three of the western states most vitality
interested in beet sugar have now acted on
the reciprocity question. These are Kansas,
Nebraska and South Dakota. The two for
stood by the President outright, while
the latter did so in spirit; Senators Gamble
and kittredge preventing more direct
manner of expression. Representative Mar
tion in praise of the Presidents course, was
applauded vigorously in all he said. These
three states have ndorsed Cuban reci-
procity. and the five republican senators
representing them are numbered with the
opposition. The President feels that he
would rather be in his position than in that
of the five senators.
Will Force the Issue.
Nebraska's firm attitude is believed to
have changed the situation. and among
publican callers who talked with the Pres
ident today the opinion prevailed that the
reciprocity senators will be forced to make
the issue with the opposition and put them
on record as to whether they are going to
stand with the democrats or with their
own party. Whether this will be done in
the open Senate on q straight vote on the
House bill or in caucus has not been set
tied in republican minds There are advo-
Gates of both courses. The President wants
harmony preserved, of course, but there is
authority for saying that he will be willing
to have the issue made and a record taken.
There is undoubtedly a suspicion that the
ranks of the majority have some weak
material that indirectly aids in delay; and
a show down." to use the vernaclilar,
would put everybody on record. The
President will confer with party leaders at
intervals of several days as to what is best
to be done and will. it is understood. not
hesitate to give forcible expression to the
opinion that the time has come for every
body to go on record. The suggestion that
the question be decided in caucus is more
strongly advocated than the advice that
the final fight be carried to the floor of the
Senate.
Senator Platt's Views.
Senator Platt of Connecticut. chairman
of the Senate committee on Cuban rela-
tions, was in conference with the President
this morning. He is an advocate of joining
the issue in some way that will require a
vote that means something besides evasion
That Is his individual opinion, and does not
assume to represent, he said the view Of
anybody else. With Senator Platt, as with
others, there is a feeling that. while har-
mony is much to be desired, it is not to be
expected that a small minority shall con-
tinue to dominate the majority
Presidents Views of Treaty.
President Roosevelt has, it is understood,
some opinions about the passage Of an
amendment directing him to negotiate a
treaty with Cuba. These opinions are SO
positive that their being known may save
some trouble at the Capitol. If such an
amendment should become law and reach
the President he would sign it only when
he ascertained that fifty or more republic
can senators would confirm it promptly at
the next session of Congress In other
words, he must be convinced that there is
sincerity in such an amendment and that
1t is not designed to secure delay.
If the President believes that fifty sena-
tors will not vote for confirmation of a
treaty at the next session he will, 1t is
thought, veto the measure and probably
call an extra session Of Congress to take
some real action. He is willing to shoulder
all the responsibility that belongs to him,
but he wants a sincere body Of men to put
the responsibility there and aid him in car
rying it,
Feeling at the Capitol.
Some of the administration senators in
terested in the Cuban reciprocity bill are
disposed to have the Spooner bill reported
to the Senate and to carry the fight for
reciprocity onto the floor of the Senate. The
committee on relations with Cuba Is ready
to report the bill if assurances can be re-
ceived from all Of the friends of resproc-
ity present at last nights conference that
this program is acceptable. The committee
is not inclined however, to report the
Spooner bill If half dozen or ten friends
Of reciprocity are likely to be lukewarm
participants in the fight which must occur
IL the bill gets into the Senate.
A canvas will be made between now and
tomorrow afternoon among the administra-
tion senator's present at last nights con-
ference to ascertain whether the reporting
of the Spooner bill can command approxi-
mately the unanimous support OF all repub-
lican senators who are not distinctly af-
filiated with the beet sugar senator's.
1t was proposed several days ago, when
it was seen that the reciprocity bill was in
danger by some Of the men who are man.
aging the bill. that the Spooner bill should
be reported to the Senate and fought to a
finish in open session. This plan was op-
posed by one or two prominent senator's,
who insisted that a conference should first
outline the procedure. Some of the friends
of the bill now regret that it was not re-
ported and the issue Joined in the Senate
Mr.. Mudd Makes Recommendation.
Representative Mudd today recommended
to President Roosevelt the nomination of
In po1f ola rly 10 IN q