Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-17
Senator Elkins Seeks Promotion for
Colonel Godwin-East Room
Closed to Visitors.


dent.
At least this much is known. The Presi-
dent did not today talk with the beet sugar
men about reciprocity. He has not done
so since his special message went in. Some
OF them have talked to him and he has
listened He has made few, If any, sug-
gestions. Up to the first of last week the
President sent for anti-recprocity senators
and urged action upon them. They did not
volunteer to talk with him about the mat
ter. He has now ceased to send for them,
but some of them are visiting him, probably
on other business, it is true. They do the
talking and he listens If reciprocity is
broached-
Disquiet in Anti-Reciprocity Ranks.
All of which facts, slowly becoming appa-
rent in anti-reciprocity ranks, disquiet-
ing in the camp of the Boxers" What does
the President mean? Would tbe Boxers
Ike a little light or a little consolationo
Has the issue been put up to them 50
squarely by the President that they arr
beginning to feel that something Is out of
gear with the machinery Of the recac-
trant? So long as the President was frank
and open in his attitude. the beet sugar
people had opportunity to acquaint them
selves with his exact feelings and to fear
nothing in the way Of executive pressure.
They still fear no pressure. but what does
the President mean? The question bobs up
and down like the proverkial ghost in the
Imagination of the boy who has to pass a
graveyard al midnight. What is going to
happen when he gets to the graveyard?
Around the Capitol yesterday there pur-
ported to be talk of a treaty with Cuba by
which reciprocity would bs granted. but
there is good ground for saying that the
President has not suggested the treaty
proposition. He would bly, consider
that it merely temporiZes wita the situation
and OrliN gives a foophO1p f.lrE The anti-rppi-
procity senators to crawl out through. Some
of them would like to know what he thinks
of the treaty idea, but his thoughts are with
held at this time much to the ANNOYANCE
of the recalctrantS.
The President is no longer importuning
If what he has heretofore done could he
put under that heading. He has never con-
sidered 1t dignifted. and certainly will not
resort to it now. Besides it is the Other
fellows" who are doing the guessing at this
time.
The Treaty Suggestion.
Nobody believes that the President has
remote thought of voluntarily negotiating
reciprocity treaty with Cuba while Con-
gress Is in session. After that body ad-
journs he might merely consider such a
proposition II action has been taken.
That is why the beet sugar men are sug-
gestng a treaty. 1t means delay until the
next session of Congress. 1t furnishes
preteXt for voting for inaction. And, after
all, the Dett sugar men admit thdt what
they want is the putting off of reciprocity.
With the question carried over for six
months there will be a chance to spring
new propositions and to get another post
pOnement.
Secretary Root and other cabinet officers
who are said to have received suggestions
about q treaty by the President without
specific authority of Congress hold the view
that there is nothing in the DingIey law
authorizing such a treaty, the time for ne
gotiating commercial treaties under the
provisions of that law having expired. The
President is not likely, in his present atti-
tude, to express any opinion as to what he
would do should Congress pass a measure
directing him to negotiate treaty. If such
measure meant submission Of the treaty
to the Senate for ratification at the next
session he might show a disposition to look
upon this as an eXpedient, and not give his
approval
A senator who is on the inside Of the beet
sugar camp, but who Is, first of ALL re-
publican and an administration man, said
on leaving the White House few days
ago that there would be. action by Con-
gress The intimation conveyed was that
reciprocity would be the outcome.
A Promotion Asked for.
Senator Elkins saw the President this
morning on a matter aside from the Cuban
problem Despite his opposition to the ad-
ministration policy he is on most friendly
terms with the President His call was to
ask that Major Goodwin of the 7th Cavalry,
formerly colonel of the 1Cth Immune Regi-
ment during the war with Spain, be pro-
NOTED to brigadier general in the regular
army. Ths President is going to consider
the matter.
Senator Foraker and Representative Gros-
venor talked with the President regarding
some Ohio appointments.
Senator Burton presented some friends
from Kansas.
No Visitors Adn,itted Today.
The White House was cscsed today to the
regular run Of sightseeing visitors. Hun
dreds of strangers in the city made their
pilgrimage to the building during the day
and were greatly disappeinted on finding
that 1t was closed.
During the morning werkmen were en-
gagged in dismantling theseast room The
immense mirrors and the splendid oil paint
ings of Washington, Martha Washington,
Jefferson and Lincoln were taken from the
walls and carted away to storage estab-
lishment. where they wilIsrenain until the
refinishing of the east room permit their
again being placed upon The historic walls
Much care was taken with the great pic
lures.
Today's Cabinet Session.
At its meeting this morning the Cabinet
discussed the Venezuelan situation as 1t is
revealed by the press dispatches and also
by number of private kilograms which
have been received by commercial comma
MES from their agents in the South Anleri-
can Republic. AS a result of the discus
sion, 1t was decided to send one or two
warships TO La Guaira, not because of any
uennlte ana alarming reports received, but
In pursue nee of the general policy of hay-
Ing American interests well looked after
whenever danger even threatens them
While formal orders have not yet been Is
su ed, it is expected that the cruiser Gin
h.