Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-26
THE CUBAN TREATY
It's Ratification, as Well as
Others, Threatened.
A GROUP OF SENATORS
HAS DETERMINED TO OPPOSE
SOME OF THEM.
If Cuba Stood Alone She Might Be Re
ieved, but That Might Be
Precedent.
| GROUP OF SENATORS

reciprocity treaties in the
United States Senate promise to threaten
the ratification of several commercial
treaties now pending. These are:
The reciprocity treaty with Cuba, by
which tariff reductions amounting to "a
to 40 per cent on American goods enter
ing Cuba are offered for a straight reduc-
ton Of 20 per cent on Cuban sugar, to-
bacco and fruits coming to the United
States;
The reciprocity treaty with France by
which certain classes Of American manu-
factures, notably farm machinery, iron
and Steel ETC., are to be admitted into
France at a low rate Of tariff in return
for the admission into the United States
of French knit goods, notions silks and
wines at a reduced tariff; and
The Newfoundland treaty, by which,
well, thus far. the best experts have been
unable to ascertain what that treaty will
do beyond enabling the NewfOundlanderS
to sell us their bait and send US their fish
free Of duty, thereby in the language of a
New England senator catching the Yam
kee fisherman coming and going"
There Is no well organized combination
against any Of these treaties. There is de-
termined opposition from group Of sena-
tors to each Of them. In the opinion Of
some Of the best posted men in the Senate
q possible outcome OF Inc SITUATION, In view
of the fact that two-thirds vote Is required
to ratify, may be the shelving of all the
treaties. 1t Is frequently urged that the
session Is so short and there are SO many
interests affected. the most careful consid-
Grafton ought to be given these treaties"
Result Of Conference.
Several conferences between senators in
the last six days put the situation in an in
teresting light. Senator Lodge of Massa-
chusetts has constituency whose interests
are threatened by the Newfoundland
treaty, admitting Newfoundland Goldfish
into the American market Senator Lodge
conferred with the Pacific coast senators
upon the inadvisability of ratifying such a
treaty. The Pacific coast men warmly
agreed with him and pointed out to him
that there was another treaty which ought
not to be ratified, namely, the one which
admitted Cuban sugar and fruit into COM
petition with California's.
Senator Lodge was not quite so enthusiast
tic when it came to opposition to the Gu
ban treaty; that was quite another matter
to that Goldfish business. Besides, the beet
sugar manufacturers admitted that 20 per
cent reduction would not seriously hurt
them. Quite true, rejoined the Pacific coast
senator's, because the manufacturers pro-
pose to make the difference in the price
for the beets paid to the farmers. How
ever. in their opinion, 1t all came back to
procity treaties. The Californians were
quite ready to join with the New England
ers in opposing any reciprocity treaty.
The Pacific coast senator's then went to
Senator Aldrich to enlist his aid against
the Cuban reciprocity treaty. Senator AL
drich cannot some Of the advantages
claimed for the French reciprocity treaty,
which admits knit goods and notions into
manufactures. They found a ready listener
in Senator Aldrich. He admitted the per-
plexities Of the situation and the possi-
btlity Of friction arising between the sew
eral factions in the Senate. 1t was pointed
out that a group of senators representing
the beet sugar states of the middle west
could be relied upon to vote against other
treaties If the Cuban reciprocity treaty
should also be defeated.
Thereupon Senator Aldrich is reported to
have said "Well, perhaps 1t would be bet
ter if they all should die" Senator AL
drich's opinion is empirical upon all tariff
questions, and If he should turn his thumbs
down the treaties in the arena probably
would perish.
The Cuban Treaty.
There is not the least doubt that two
thirds of the Senate today would vote to
ratify the Cuban reciprocity treaty if that
instrument stood alone and upon its own
merits. But it is pointed out that the rati-
fication of one reciprocity treaty would be
ur&eQ as precedent lOr the rdtlucaIlOn OF
others. 1t is the opening wedge for that
kind Of legislation at the present session,
and a great many republican senators are
afraid of the opening wedge. The danger
to the Cuban reciprocity treaty, therefore,
is found in the possible combination Of in
terests more concerned in other treaties
that realize the probable bearing Of the
Cuban treaty upon their own.
In senatorial circles considerable signif1-
canoe Is attached to the announcement Of
Senator Burrows of Michigan in an inter-
view in The Star yesterday, that opposi-
ton to the Cuban reciprocity may be ex-
pected, If the beet sugar manufacturers
consider their interests endangered.
The point to be raised will be that the
principle Of protection to an American in
dustry must not be violated. In such a po-
sition Senator Burrows can count, 1t is
said, upon the support Of Pennsylvania,
West Virginia and at least one influential
senator from farthest east New England.
The coming convention Of beet sugar
manufacturers to be held in this city will
decide the course of those senators. In
that connection 1t may be interesting to
note that at full meeting of the Michi-
gan Beet Sugar Manufa cturers Associa-
tion in Saginaw, December %, the follow
ing resolution was adopted:
Resolved by the Michigan Sugar Manu-
facturers' Association that we protest
against the ratification of any treaty with
Cuba which reduces the present tariff on
sugar, and that We request our senators
and representatives in Congress to use
their influence to defeat any treaty which
will result in injury to the sugar industry"