Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-21
APPEAL FOR HARMONY
REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE ON
RECIPROCITY
Three Hours Spent in Discussion, but
No Action Was
Taken. Tvs


The republican senators held appetizer con-
ference yesterday afternoon On the ques-
ton of Cuban reciprocity, and after three
hours discussion adjourned subject to the
call of Chairman Allison without action.
Almost all the republican senators who
are in the city were present. Nine speeches
were made in support of reciprocity and
only two in opposition to that policy. This
was in accord with a previous. understand
ing that as the beet sugar senators had
monopolized the attention of the confer
ence Wednesday night their opponents
should have the greater share of the time.
The speeches in support OF the rectproc-
lily bill were made by Senators Foraker,
Beverage, Lodge, Hale, Warren, Aldrich,
McComas and Hanna, Senator Plat of
Connecticut adding a few words to what
he had said at the Wednesday evening
meeting. The two speeches In opposition
to the proposed legislation were made by
Senators Burton and Burrows. The
speeches for reciprocity were all along the
same general line, and without exception
were pleas for legislation and for party
harmony.
Mr.. Foraker's Argument.
Senator Foraker appealed to his party
colleagues to support this measure, which
had, he said, become party question, hav-
ing been made so by the attitude not only
of his honored predecessor. He said with
feeling that men could not be with the party
at one time and against it at another and
maintain their prestige. He also spoke Of
the necessity of maintaining the most
cordial relations with Cuba. He said the
question was economic one and that
reciprocity would promote not only the
interests of Cuba, but American interests
as we'll.
Senator Beveridge said the present OPP
portunity to extend our hold on the good
will Of the Cuban people should not be
lost. Senator Lodge declared that OPP
position would not suffice to prevent the
continued presentation of this matter I'M
til success should be attained. and was
quite positive that if reciprocity with Cuba
was not secured now it would be at later
date. He said no question could be con-
sidered definitely settled until 1t was prop
ery settled. Senator Warren spoke briefly
in the interest of party harmony. He
thought that all the resources of the
publican senators should be exhausted to
secure cooperation before attempting to
take final action.
In the Interests Of the Country.
Senator McComas declared his adherence
to the Senate reciprocity bill, saying that
he considered it in the interests of the
whole country to enact such legislation as
was outlined in that measure. Senator
Hale said that it should be distinctly I'M
derstood that in supporting this measure
he did not surrender his principles as pro-
tectionist. Reciprocity with Cuba he re-
garded as entitled to somewhat different
consideration from reciprocity with other
countries because of the obligation we had
assumed toward that isand.,E II.
Senator Aidrich reiterated ethe statement
which had been made by ether speakers
that the question was a party question and
pleaded with the opposing senators to rec
ognize this fact and accept the situation.
He ridiculed the idea that the proposed re-
duction would injure the beet sugar inter
ests, saying that as sugar now receives
protection amounting to about 100 per cont
On the cost price the reduction proposed in
the bill suggested by the Cuban committee
still would leave protection amounting to
50 per cent. . i-''sJ
Obligations to Cuba
Senator Hanna spoke of the question OF
extending the proper aid to CUBA as a
moral question, saying that our obligations
to the Cuban people were such that we
would not be true to ourselves as a nation
if we should fail to give them an encour-
aging hand at the beginning of their ma
tional career. He referred to President Nc
Kinley's attitude on this subject and quoted
the Presidents Buffalo speech making it
imperative on this government to enter into
proper reciprocal relations with Cuba.
Mr.. Burton Defends Opposition
senator burton OF Kansas then TOOK the
floor to make an impassioned speech in de-
Tense of the attitude of the beet sugar re-
pubHcans He spoke especially with refer
ence tosan intimation that the beet sugar
senators were not loyal to the party. He
said that the press Of the country had pre-
scented only one side Of the question. His
side, he said. stood for the support of one
of the most promising, as it was one of the
most deserving, Of infant industries. He
said that 1t was not true that the beet SUI
gar men were not willing to extend help
Ing hand to the people of Cuba If they
needed help, but he contended, that there
was no need for assistance to the people Of
that island at this time.
Senator Burrows remarks were In reply
to Senator Hanna's reference to President
Mckinley's Buffalo speech. He also quoted
the last annual message Of President
Roosevelt, saying that the beet sugar men
were in accord with the Presidents position
as there outlined. They claimed, he said
| that they were acting in accord with strict
| republican policy in advoca ting the protec-
ton Of the beet sugar interests.
The conference adjourned to meet at the
call Of the chairman.