Evening star., 1902-01-06
CUBAN CONCESSIONS
Tide Of Opinion Favoring Granting
Them.
A DIFFICULT PROBLEM TO SOLVE
Change Of Views in Both Senate
and House.
PHILIPPINE TARIFF BILL

The tide of opinion among republicans in
Congress seems to be setting unmistakably
in the direction of tariff concessions to
Cuba on sugar, tobacco and other products.
1t has been known for some time that
prominent republican senators are inclined
to generous treatment of the Cubans.
There is now noticeable inclination of
House republicans the same way.
When Congress met the sentiment in the
House was distinctly hostile to granting
any concessions to Cuba. There has been
a change of feeling in that regard, how
ever which now is manifesting itself in the
opinion somewhat ruefully expressed by
the extreme protectionists. that they don t
quite see how they are going to avoid do
ing something for Cuba.
DiHcu1t Problem.
The House leaders are very thoughtful
over the Cuban tariff question. and are
confronted by a difficult problem. There
are admitted good reasons for helping the
Cubans in the present industrial crisis, 1t
is said reasons of domestic economy beyond
the mere question of charity. There are
also economic difficulties in the way and
the problem the House leaders are now
wrestling with is how to compose the diff
ferences and reconcile the conflicting in
terests
The fact that the House republicans are
willing to recognize the advisability
of dealing favorab1y with the request
of the Cubans for tariff notifications
is a distinct gain for the advocates of the
concessions, as up to this time there has
been very little favorable prospect.
Hearings to Re Had.
The House ways and means committee at
it's session next Wednesday will fix date
for commencing hearings on the Cuban
tariff concessions. The beet sugar growers
of the west and the cane sugar producers
of Louisiana will oppose the tariff reduc-
ton. A delegation of Havana merchants
will appear in favor of the proposition.
1t is probable that some expression Of
opinion will come from the executive
branch of the government to back up the
advocates of concessions. The War De-
partment is very much impressed with the
necessity of action. President Roosevelt in
his message called attention to the Eek
pediency" of passing commercial measures
in the interest of Cubas material well-be-
ing limiting at of the reasons now being
considered by the majority leaders In Con-
gress for the action.
In the Senate such republicans as Sena-
tor Platt of Connecticut, Senator Spooner
of Wisconsin, Senator Lodge of Massachu-
setts and Senator Gallinger of New Hamp-
shire are favorably inclined to a CONNER
cial arrangement which will avert the
disa ster that is said to be impending in the
island.
Philippine Tariff Bill.
1t appears also likely that the Philippine
tariff bill will open the tariff question in
the Senate There is strong movement
in favor of amending the bill, as it came
from the House, SO that the combined eX-
port tax and customs dues on Philippine
products will equal the regular Dingley
rates on those articles.
The members of the Senate committee
on the Philippines met informally today to
talk over the bill.
Chairman Payne of the ways and means
committee, said today that of the two i'm
portant measures before that committee
Cuban reciprocity and a reduction of war
taXes-the former probably would first be
considered. To that end Mr.. Payne has
written to the gentlemen of the Cuban del
egation to learn their wishes as to a time
Of hearing and pending an answer no ar
rangement for hearings has been made.
The committee will later fix the time of
hearings on the war tax reduction BILL if
it is considered necessary to open up the
subject by hearings, which has not yet
been decided.