Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-06-13
Determined to Oppose Tariff Concessions to
Our West Indies
Ward.
NO RECIPROCITY FOR THEM, THEY SAY
They Also Figure Out Majority for Their
Side of the Case
So Far.

Washington. June 13.~The presi-
dent today sent to congress a mes
sage relative TO Cuban reciprocity.
urging that action be taken immedi-
ately to afford relief to Cuba from
impending financial ruin. The pres
ident explains the present tariff law
was designed to promote the adop-
tion of the reciprocity treaty with
Cuba. expressly providing for a re-
ductiOn not to exceed 20 per cent
tariff upon goods coming from Cuba,
leaving the tariff rates on the same
articles unchanged as regards other
countries. The president favors
such relation as against a doubtful
policy of having recourse to bounty
in the form of rebate.
The message closes with an urgent
appeal to give the weak. struggling
Cubans all possible chance to use to
the best advantage the freedom of
which the Americans have a right to
be proud. and for which so many
American lives were sacrificed.
Washington. June 13.-The Repub-
lican senator's who are friendly to beet
sugar. and who oppose the proposed
legislation for reduction of the tariff
on Cuban products, held n conference
of almost two hours duration yester-
day and decided to continue their OPP
position to the reciprocity proposition.
They will do this by announcing to
the advocates OF the tariff reduction
that they will cast their votes for
the reciprocity bill as it passed the
house of representatives, including
the Morris amendment for the aboli-
tiOn of the differential due on refined
sugar. and they will resist all amend
mentS that may be offered TO il. They
will propose two alternatives One of
these is to drop the subject and make
no further attempt to secure reciproc-
ity legislation: the other is to accept
the rebate plan.
Beet Men Take n Count of Noses.
Yesterdays conference was held I'm
Elkins' committee room. The commit
tee of cOnciliatiOn, consisting of FL
kins. Burrows and Jones of Nevada,
appointed to confer with the senator's
of the Cuban committee. at the outset
reported that they had failed to secure
concessions from the opposition. The
effect of the Thurber testimony was
thoroughly considered Immediately
following this report A count of
those present and those absent and
known to be in sympathy with the
movement led to the conclusion that
there are at least nineteen Republican
senators who can be depended on to
stand together on any course agreed
on
Majority of Seven Is Figured.
Counting the full Democratic vote
ns favorable to the house bill, the
beet sugar advocates concluded that
n proposition to pass that measure
would be the strongest that could be
put forward. The combination of the
two forces would give a total of fifty
two votes. or seven more than ma
jority 1t was decided to continue the
conference committee with instruc-
tiOns to present the facts TO the Re
publican members of the committee
on relations with Cuba, and to other
senators who advocate straight reci-
procity.
VIII Fight All Other Plans.
The committee. in making its report
on past efforts to secure harmonious
action by Republican senators. pointed
out with special emphasis the amend
ment abolishing the house provision
requiring Cuba's acceptance of United
States immigration. labor and exclu- |
sion laws. This action. it was declared,
would have at least the partial effect
of bringing United States workingmen
into competition with cheap foreign
labor. and was spoken of as being
most Objectionable. They therefore de-
cided that this arrangement also
should be resisted, as should all others |
in case the bill should come to vote
in the senate The caucus Of all the
Republican senators may not be held |
until next week; no call has been is
sued.