Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-25
CONFER WITH The president
House Members Discuss Cuban Conditions
at ROOsevelt's Request.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE FAvORS RECIPROCITY
lille Not Committing Himself to Any
Positive Form Of settlement Pres
ideRt Hints at Feasible
Solution,

WASHINGTON, March ga conference
was held at the White House this afternoon
between the president and seven OF the
republican members of the house Of repre-
sentatives which have been foremost in op-
posing the plan Q; Cuban reciprocity urged
by the ways and means committee and un-
derstood to have the support OF the ad-
minlstration.
The members who called were Representa-
ttves Tawney and Morris Of Minnesota,
Dick Of Ohio. William A. smith Of Michi-
gan, Metcalf OF California and Dayton Of
West Virginia. The call was at the request
OF the president, who desired an exchange
OF views to the end that harmonious action
might be secured in such steps as are taken
In behalf OF Cuba. AS General Wood has
arrived here from Cuba, and as several
members OF the cabinet we're at the White
House while the congressman were there, a
report gained circulation that Secretary
Root and General Wood were present during
the conference. This, however, was not
the case as the president and the congress-
men remained alone In the cabinet room for
the hour and a half that they were to.
getheF.
Talk Takes wide Range.
The talk took a wide range, covering the
conditions In Cuba, what should be done
to meet these conditions and also the ques-
ton of harmonizing conflicting interests
so that there might be unanimity Of action
on the part Of the republicans in congress.
1t was stated afterwards by those who
lad participated in the conference that it
was Of the most pleasant character, and
that there was not the remotest suggestion
on the part Of the chief executive which
could ha construed nc gonlt,- - ,r~s 49,.
to yield their personal convictions.
The callers were frank to concede that
they found the president DESTROYS Of extend
ing effective relief to Cuba by the reci-
procity plan. In this connection 1t was
stated the president drew attention to the
fact that the Sibley amendment limiting
the reciprocity period to December 1, 1903,
gave the Payne bill a rather one-sided
aspect, as it asked Cuba to adopt our
naturalization and immigration laws and
give us tariff concessions without limit OF
time, and in return to give to Cuba tarif
concessions limited to about a year and a
half.
Cuba Gets Short End.
Some Of the congressman present were in
clined to admit that we were asking a good
deal from Cuba in return for the little we
would grant her. The interchange of
views became quite general, there being
nothing In the way Of definite propositions
one way or the other, but merely an agree
able expression of opinion as to what was
best to be done under the circumstances of
the situation. In the course Of this gen.
eral talk the suggestion was made that IL
the Payne bill had been modified so as TO
take on the differentiaI on refined sugar
some Of the grounds OF opposition might
have been removed. However. there was
no request, so far as can be learned. that
tue Dill be amended In this particular at
the present stage. The plan Of rebate.
which was urged at one time, also came
In FOR discussion and explanation.
AT the conclusion Of the conference the
general understanding was reached that
any statements made to the public would
be to the general effect that no conclusions
were reached and hat the conference was
confined to a general interchange of views.
1t Is understood that the president win
see som OF the members Of the WAYS and
means committee tomorrow, thus familiar
izing himself with both sides Of the issue
which has recently arisen In the house.
lie hopes that this general Interchange
with the leaders from both sides may bring
about unanimity Of action in whatever IS
done in behalf of Cuba.