The Savannah morning news., 1902-06-21
NO HOPE FOR CUBA
REPUBLICAN SENATOR'S UNABLE To
AGREE.
CAUCUS TAKES NO ACTION.
MUCH TALK, BUT NOTHING ACCOM-
PLISHED.

Foraker, Lodge. AIdrich. Hanna and
other Lenders Urge the Duty OF
the Government To Cuba and Also
That of Supporting the Admins
trntIOn, But Beet Sugar Men Are
Hard ms AdamRnt-BurrOws DE
tends Attitude of Beet Sugar Men.
His Side Is Standing by n PrOmis-
ing Infant Industry and Cuba Does
Not Need Assistance.
Washington, June 20.-The Republi-
can senators held another conference
to-day on the question of Cuban re-
ciprocity, and after three hours dis
cussion adjourned without action, sub
ject to the call of Chairman Allison.
Almost all the Republican senator's
who are in the city were present.
Eight or nine speeches were made in
support of reciprocity. and only two in
opposition to that policy. This was in
accord with a previous understanding
that as the beet sugar senators had
monopolized the attention. of the con-
ference on Wednesday night their OPP
ponents to-day should have the
greater share of the time.
The speeches in support of the re-
ciprocity bill were made by Senators
Foraker. Beveridge. Lodge, Hale, War
rem, AIdrlch, McComas and Hanna,
Senator Platt of Connecticut adding
few words to what he had said at the
Wedn 4sday evening meeting.
he In IN
the proposed measure were made by
Senator's Burton and Burrows. The
speeches for reciprocity were all along
the same general line and without ex-
ception were pleas for legislation and
for party harmony.
Senator Foraker spoke of the neces-
sity of maintaining the most cordial
relations with Cuba. He said the
question was an economic one and that
reciprocity would promote not only the
interests of Cuba, but American inter-
ests as well.
MIR. Lodges Argument.
Senator Lodge dwelt on the import
ance of having Republican senators
stand together at this critical point in
the party's history Much of prestige
and future national standing, he said,
might depend ON the step now taken,
for all the world was watching with
interest the treatment of the Cuban
people. He said that opposition would
not suffice to prevent the continued
presentation of this matter until sue
cess should be attained and was quite
positive that If reciprocity with Cuba
was not secured now 1t would be at a
later date.
A Party Question. Said AIdrich.
Senator Aldrich reiterated the state
ment which had been made by other
senator's that the question was a. par
ty question, and pleaded with the OPP
posing senator's to recognize this fact
and accept the situation. He. ridiculed
the idea that the proposed reduction
would in1ure the beet sugar interests,
saying That as sugar now receives pro-
lection amounting to about 100 per
cent. on the cost price the reducti IN
proposed in the bill suggested by the
Cuban committee still would leave
protection amounting to so per cent.
That. he said. ought to be ample.
Senator Hanna spoke of the question
of extending the proper aid to Cuba
as a moral question, saying that our
obligations to the Cuban people were
such that we would not be true to our
selves as a nation If we should fail to
give them an encouraging hand at the
beginning of their national career.
Burrows for Beet Sugar Men.
The meeting had almost concluded
when Senator Burton of Kansas took
the floor to make a brief but impas-
stoned and eloquent speech in support
and defense of the attitude of the beet
sugar Republicans. His side, he said,
stood for the support of one of the
most promising, as it was one of
the most deserving, of infant
industries. lie said that IL was
not true that the beet sugar men were
not willing to extend a helping hand
to the people of Cuba if they needed
help, but there was no need for assist
ance to the people of that island at
this time. Neither the government, the
planters, nor the Cuban laborers had
any need of the proposed assistance
and it was unfair and unjust to ask the
farmers of this country to sacrifice
their own interests for the purpose of
granting an annuity of 100000 or
Sc, 600, 900.
Senator Burrows said that the beet
sugar men were acting in accord with
strict Republican policy In advocating
the protection of the beet sugar inter-
ests.
The conference adjourned to meet at
the call of the chairman, and it is
generally believed that another meet
ing will occur some time next week
GEN. WOOD REPLIES TO HILL.