Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1902-12-30
STRONG OPPOSITION,
Sentiment Against Ratifying
Cuban Reciprocity Treaty Is
Growing More Pronounced.
FEAR OTHERS WOULD ASK SAME.
President Sees in the Proposed Rati-
fication No Possible Assault on the
Tariff System of This Country
and Wants Prompt Action.

Washington, Dec. 3o-Considerable
opposition is developing to the ratif-
cation of the Cuban reciprocity treaty
now pending in the senate. It is not
taking quite the form that the oppo-
sition to the Cuban legislation took
last spring, but it is sufficient in sub
stance to give concern to thG friends
of the treaty.
From time to time, as opportunity
offers, the president is discussing the
matter with senators, particularly
those who are known to have object
ed to the enactment Of legislation ex-
tending tariff concessions to the Gu
ban republic. Several weeks ago it
appeared that the treaty, when pre-
scented to the senate, would be rat
fed without difficulty, but some sena.
tors now are taking as strong ground
against the treaty as they took
against the legislation proposed at
the last session CT congress. These
senators are of two classes, those who
are opposed ON principle to any tariff
tinkering" and those who represent
states whose products may be affected
by the concessions extended to Cuba
by the pending treaty.
Fear Others Would Ask Concessions.
Senators of the first class might be
induced to support the treaty. mas
much as it does not involve, in their
view. an attack on the system of pro.
lection, were it not for their appre-
hension that the ratification of the
Cuban treaty may lead TO a demand
from other countries that they, too
be accorded special tariff concessions
by the United States. 1t has been in
dieated to the president that in the
event of the ratification of the Cuban
treaty demand may be expected
from Germany within 80 days for con-
cessions similar to those accorded
Cuba. The most distinct desire of
the German emperor, it is pointed out
is for the extension of the foreign
commerce of his empire He, of
course, regards Cuba as a nation for
eign to the United States, and so far
as that point is concerned, on all tours
with Germany. If tariff concessions
are granted to Cuba, German. under
the most favored nation clause, viii
request that she be given similar con
eessions. The request may take the
form almost Of demand. II it be
not granted the fear is expressed that
Germany may initiate legislation that
will be inimical to the industrial de-
yelopment of this country, SO far as
Germany is concerned, even if it
should not curtatl American com
merce already established in Germany
and its possessions.
The same argument is applied t.
other countries, Germany being used
simply as an example of what may be
expected of all of the great foreign
nations with which the United States
has extensive commercial relations.
No captious Opposition.
Yesterday the president had an
hours conference with Senator Scott
of West Virginia, during which they
discussed the reciprocity question in
all its phases. Senator Scott is offer
ing no captious opposition to the Gu
Ddn treaty, Dul NE lS particularly u6-
sirous that nothing should be done
that in the end might result in any
recession on the part of the United
States from its present tariff policy.
The president, it is understood be,
lieves that the pending treaty with
Cuba will be ratified. He desires that
it should be ratified as promptly as
possible and with as little friction as
may be. He sees in the proposed rat
ification no possible assault on the
tariff system Of this country, and be-
lieves that it would be simply the re-
demption of promise, direct or i'm
piled, made to the Cuban people when
they we're in the throes of the organi-
cation of their government In this
view the president Is supported by a
large majority of the Republican SEN
ators. While some trouble is antici-
pated in effecting the ratification of
the treaty, it is believed generally that
ratification will not be delayed seri-
ously