The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-30
Sufficient in Substance to Give
President Concern
MANY CONFERENCES HELD
Some of the Senators object to the
Measure Because It Thinkers With
the Tariff and Others for
State Reasons Only.

Washington, December 29.-Constdera-
BILE opposition is developing to the rati-
fcation of the Cuban reciprocity treaty
now pending In the senate. 1t is not
taking quite the form that the opposition
to Cuban legislation took last spring, but
it is sufficient in substance to give con-
Germ to the friends of the treaty.
From time to time. as opportunity Of
fers, the President is discussing the mat
ter with senators, particularly those who
are known to have objected to Hhe enact
ment of legislation extending tariff con-
cessions to the Cuban reciprocity Sever
al weeks ago it appeared that the treaty
when presented to the senate would be
ratified without difficulty, but some SEN
ators now are taking as strong grounds
against the treaty as they took against
the legislation proposed at the last ses-
sion of congress. These senators are of
two classes, those who are opposed on
principle to any tariff tinkering'' and
those who represent states whose pro-
ducts may be affected by the concessions
extended to Cuba by the pending treaty.
Senators of the first class might be In
duced to support the treaty inasmuch as
it does not involve an attack on the sys-
tenn of protection, were it not for their
apprehension that the ratification Of the
Cuban treaty ma lead to demand from
other countries, that they too, be ac-
corded special tariff concession by the
United States.
Germany Wants Concessions.
1t has been Indicated to the President
that in the event of the ratification of
the Cuban treaty demand may be ex-
pected from Germany within thirty days
for concessions similar to those accorded
Cuba. The most distinct desire of the
German Emperor, it is pointed out, is for
the extension of foreign comm rec of his
empire.
He of course, regards Cuba as a nation
foreign to the United States and so far
as that is concerned, Is on all fours with
Germany. That request may take the
form almost of a demand. If it be not
granted the fear is expressed that Ger
many may initiate legislation that will
be intimical to the industrial development
of this country. so far as Germany is con-
cerned, even if,it should not curtail Amer
lean commerce already established in
Germany and its possession.
The same argument is applied to other
countries, Germany being used simply as
all the great foreign nations with which
the United States has extensive CONNER
cial relations.
Senator Scott Called In.
Today the President had an hours con-
ference with Senator Scott of West Vir-
ginia, during which they discussed the
reciprocity in all it's phases. Senator Scott
is Offering no captious opposition to the
Cuban treaty, but he is particularly desir.
Gus that nothing should be done that II
the end might result in any concession or
the part of this country from its present
tariff policy.
The President, 1t is understood believes
that the pending treaty with Cuba will be
ratified He desires that it should be rat
flied as promptly as possible and with as
little friction as may be necessary. He
sees in the proposed ratification no posi-
BILE assault on the tariff system of this
country and believes that 1t would be
simply the redemption of a promise direct
or implied, made to the Cuban people
when they were In the throse of the or
ganization of their government In this
view the President is supported by large
majority of the republican senator's
While some trouble is attributed in the
ratification of the treaty, it is believed
generally ratification will not be delayed
seriously.