New-York tribune., 1902-05-21
OUTLOOK FOR RECIPROCITY
SOME DIsCoRD IN THE SENATE COM
MITTEE ON Cuba
4 BILL MAKING A 25 PER CENT TARIFF RE
DUCTIoN EXPECTED. HOWEVER. TO
BE REPORTED AND PASSED

BE REPORTED AND PASSED.
GBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington. May 2O,-Discord marked the first
conference to-day OF the Republican members
of the Senate Committee on Relations with
Cuba The conference was called by Senator
Platt. of Connecticut chairman of the commit
tee, and the meeting lasted more than hour.
AS is customary in all such cases. those who
attended the conference agreed not 10 give TO
the press the character of the discussion or of
the propositions advanced. 1t is known how
ever, that considerable difference of opinion was
developed to the method to be adopted for
bringing Cuba into close commercial relations
with the United States. There division
Of sentiment on the general merits of the prop
osition that something must be done at this
session of Congress. and, moreover, that the
patchwork bill sent from the House to the Sem
ate does not meet the emergency All the Re
publican members of the committee were pres
ent. The desultory discussion showed that those
who favor straight reciprocity Mr.. Platt, of
Connecticut Mr.. Aldrich, of Rhode Island; Mr.
Cullom. of Illinois; Mr.. Deboe. of Kentucky. and
Mr.. Burnham of ew-Hampshre. The only
members who expressed doubts of the advisable
ty of authorizing the President to negotiate
straight reciprocity treaty with the new republic
were Mr.. Mcmillan. of Michigan. and Mr.
Spooner, of Wisconsin
TALK OF REBATE SCHEME AGAIN.
II is believed that. largely in Difference to his
colleague, Senator Burrows, Senator Mcmillan
favors what is popularity known as the rebate
plan. which in reality is a misnomer it would
amount to outright gift of money from the
United States Treasury to the government of
Cuba proposition which the majority Of recog
nzed constitutional lawyers of eminence in both
the Senate and House declare to be unconstitu-
tional. a rebate implies that certain amount
OF money paid as revenue is refunded TO the
persons who pay IL. whereas in the case Of Cuba
the so-called rebate plan seeks TO pay TO the
producers of sugar and other commodities in
Cuba a certain percentage Of the customs duties
collected on products from that island at the
ports OF the United States. II a genuine rebate
bill should be enacted, the refund on Cuban i'm
ports would go to the importers, and not to the
Cuban producers. However IL is said that
Mr. Spooner proposed a scheme at the con-
ference to-day which. II is vaguely stated. par
takes somewhat of the nature Of the rebate
plan. though just what this means nobody.
with the possible exception Of the learned Sen
ator from Wisconsin, seems TO know. 1t is con-
fdently believed that before the week is out Mr..
Mcmillan Will abandon his rebate plan, and that
Mr. Spooner, in the interest of party harmony,
to say nothing Of the Importance of this coun-
try keeping faith with the struggling republic
launched to-day will also drop his contention.
II these two Senators do yield gracefully as
their friends and we'll wishers hope they will,
then within a fortnight Senator Platt Will be
prepared 10 report straight reciprocity bill,
carrying a tariff reduction OF - per cent, which
will he made a strict party measure by the SEN
ate Republican caucus. AS soon as a measure
OF this character !s agreed upon a caucus prob
ably will be called with the assurance OF its
having at least forty-thres votes TO start with.
~ two more votes can be won over In caucus.
Mr. Plat Will be prepared push the bill
tilroush WlthouI uepenulhs on DeIiogf atlc sup
port Another conference OF the Republican
members Of the committee viii be hell to-rnor-
row. when IL is expected that encouraging prog
ress toward a satisfactory solution Of the some
what vexing problem will be made
The Senate Democrats, il is pertinent 10 OBJ
serve. are worse divided on the Cuban uues-
tion than the Republicans. Mr. Teller the
ranking Democratic member OF the Cuban Com
mittee. declares openly and all occasions
that he VIII never Yield TO any reciprocal trade
arrangement with Cuba. In this position he is
earnestly supported by nearly the entire new
element of Democratic Senators. notably Messrs.
Balley. dubois. Heifeld. Clark, Of Montana:
Gibson, McEnery and Foster. The Democratic
members OF the committee are Messrs. Teller. of
colorado Money. of Mississippi, Taliaferro. of
Florida, and simmons OF North Carolina. 1t is
Understood that Senators Money and Simmons
favor a plan of reciprocity with radical tariff
revision features. and IL is possible that before
an agreement is reached on the Democratic side
this scheme will be adopted in spite OF the pro-
tests of Senators Teller and Bailey.
TO REACH CUBAN QUESTION BY MAY IL.
1t Is now thought that the Senate viii reach
the Cuban question Hot later than June Is. as
present tentative arrangements contemplate the
final disposition of the Philippine Civil Govern
ment bill by June 4 or -, when the Canal bill
Will be considered and disposed of. thus making
way for the Cuban bill.
POSTAL RELATIONS WITH CUBA.
PRESENT SYSTEM CONTINUED PENDING
CONCLUSION OF a NEW AGREEMENT.
Washington. May 20.To continue the present
postal relations between Cuba and this coun-