New-York tribune., 1902-06-19
RECIPROCITY NAY WIN.
.STPPORTERS OF PRESIDENT
RALLY IN CAUCUS.
pFprRTICAN SENATORS TAKE NO AC-
TION on THE CUBAN BILL-ANOTHER
CONFERENCE TOMORROW.
fay TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l

tBy TELEGRAPH THE TRTBUSE-l
Washington, June 1S-The signs are more
hopeful tonight than they were yesterday for
the ultimate success Of the administrators
Cuban reciprocity policy There has been
perceptible stifening of determination on the
part Of the Presidents supporters TO enact def
mite legislation before the session closes, au-
thorizing him to pave the way for early relief
to Cuba and at the caucus tonight Of the Sen
ste Republicans. Messrs. Platt Of Connecticut:
Aldrich. Spooner and other friends Of the ad-
ninistration rallied their Gorces for onslaught
un the stronghold Of the defiant and obstinate
beet sugar cohorts.
The caucus was attended by forty-nine Sen
ators only six being absent. These were Mr.
Depew. Of New-York; Mr.. DolIiver. Of Iowa; Mr.
Hawley, Of Connecticut: Mr.. Kearns. Of Utah;
MIR FRYE Of Maine, and Mr.. Simon, Of Oregon.
-Four of the absentees-Messrs. Depew, Dolliver,
Hawley and Kearns-are firm supporters OF the
Presidents policy. Mr.. Frye is reported as
being rather lukewarun, because Of his fear that
q fight over the Cuban question at present will
harm the party, and Mr.. Simon is the only alb
sentee who is classed with the Boxers" Sen
ator Allison presided. and Senator Kean, of
2lev-Jersey, acted secretary Mr. Allison
opened the proceedings with conciiatory
speech, which was received well by both fac
tions. He was followed by Mr.. Burrows. of
Michigan, the tactical leader of the Boxers" "
who made a strong plea for the beet sugar in
terests Then Senator Platt. Of Connecticut,
swung into line with a powerful speech for recf-
procity, and intimated that it was the intention
Of the majority members of the Committee on
Relations with Cuba of which he is chairman, to
report the Platt-Spooner bill to the Senate in
the regular way and fight the battle for reci-
procity in the open chamber. the whole coun-
Try could witness the combat
Mr.. Aldrich followed Mr.. Platt with con-
vtncing argument for reciprocity, and the de-
hate was continued until 1915 o'clock, when
the caucus adjourned meet Friday afternoon
after the adjournment of the Senate. No motion
was made and the time was devoted entirely to
discussion.
All Of this is encouraging for the final tri-
umph Of reciprocity. 1t is not doubted that If
the bill is reported to the Senate by the Cuban
Committee ii viii get through, if Demo-
cratic aid is necessary, if it finally is decided
by the Presidents adherents not TO press the
measure it will be only on condition that the
Boxers solemnly agree TO support com
inercial treaty TO be negotiated by the Presi-
dent IF this agreement is made it is not
impossible that President Roosevelt will send
a treaty to Congress within week ten
days. and thus accomplish through this means
the result for which his supporters are now
struggling so valiantly and which the Boxers
are fighting with such strange and inexplicable
fury
How illogical the conduct of the Boxers
would be if they should agree TO support a
commercial treaty while iercely denouncing the
Plan being urged upon them needs only
10 be stated to be understood If reciprocity is
defeated at this session and the subject is held
IN abeyance for months, contended for by
the opposition the effect would not only be cru
ely disastrous in Cuba according to every wit
ness competent TO speak on the subject, but ii
would enable the Sugar Trust which con-
tfols the beet root industry through the absorp-
Hon OF plants and the purchase of all the Ger
man patents for the utilization of the by
Products of the beet root, to take advantage OF
The deprecated value Of sugar lands in Cuba
and buy up at a low figure all the choice plan
taticns in the island. many of which undoubt-
edly viii go under forced sale unless Congress
before adjourning provides a market for Cuba.
ms would play into the hand of the Sugar
trust in way that ought to be extremely
pleasing 10 the stockholders in that much ex-
plotted concern
Ihe action Of She Republican steering commit
lee Of the Senate az meeting held this after
noon infused more hope and strength into the
reciprocity case than did even the caucus to-
hlghi The steering committee really directs
legislation in the important sense that its de-
csions what measures shall have favor
able positions on the calendar are final The
committee This afternoon agreed that the Cuban
reciprocity bill should hold its place on the cal
endar which is Immediately behind the 18th
tontfnned ON secona nnae