New-York tribune., 1902-03-17
GOOD HOPES FOR CUBA.
DEADLOCK IN HOUSE NEAR
ING AN END.
COMPROMISE WILL PROBABLY BE EFF
FECTED THROUGH PRESIDENT
on TUESDAY,
on TUESDAY.
IBy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington, March 16-Although the five
committeeman representing the remnant of the
irsurgent band Of House Republicans rofess a
determination 10 stand out 10 the last against
the Administration and the House leaders in
the matter Of Cuban reciprocity legislation.
there is excellent reason TO believe that at the
party conference to be held on Tuesday night
an agreement satisfactory to all the conflicting
interests will be reached. 1t is true that the
insurgent committeeman at the joint conference
yesterday with Messrs. Payne. Dalzen and Can
non, representing tho President and the House
leadership. refused ohstinately u cOncede a sin
gle point of their contention against any reCi-
pTocity arrangement with Cuba that does not
Include additional benefits TO the beet root in
terest, but this is not discouraging sign to the
men who understand what influences finally de-
termine the action Of Congress.
It is confidently believed that when the con-
ferrees meet tomorrow afternoon the insurgent
committeeman will be less obstinate and defiant
Their most resourceful leader. Mr.. Tawney, of
Minnesota, already is extremely lukewarm in
their cause, and with the wholesale deseruons
continuing that have been thinning their once
solid and confident ranks. il is scarcely conceiV-
able that they viii persist in what they must
now recognize as hopeless struggle
THE PRESIDENTS ACTION.
President Roosevelt and his close advisers still
are extremely courteous in their treatment Of
the 'kickers.' and every one Of them has free
access 70 the White House at all seasonable
hours for consultation with the President
There are signs that Mr.. Roosevelts logic is
having the desired effect upon minds that are so
infamed against the House leadership for real
or fancied grievances that il IS virtually impos-
sibe TO hope for a reconciliation to he brought
about through the initiative of Mr. Henderson
or any Of the conspicuous leaders of the House
When, therefore. those who apparently ir-
reconcilabIe al convinced that the real motive
OF their rebellion-oppositon to the present
House organization-is generally understood, il
IS believed they VIII signify a Willingness to
stop fighting and 10 yield as gracefully pos
sible 10 the tremendous pressure that is being
exerted upon them to preserve harmony in the
party this juncture, with the tacit under
standing that they viii be al liberty TO renew
their struggle 20 secure a new deal in the
House AT the proper time and with the assur
ance that they viii not find interference from
administration sources.
THREE YEAR PLAN ADVOCATED.
II the general House conference reaches a
final agreement Tuesday night it is believed
shat * viii be along the lines of the slight modi-
hcation Of the Ways and Means bill proposed
by the Sibley amendment It is generally
thought. however, that the limitation proposed
by Mr.. Sibley will not be accepted but that it
viii be increased one year so as to make the
period of reciprocity three years instead OF two
Cogent political as well as economic reasons
are being urged In support Of this. II is pointed
out that a year limitation would be better
than two, as no benefits Of substantial value to
either country could be hoped for in the second
year, since the intention is TO cover the crops
now being planted in Cuba, and the time limit
would expire before the succeeding crops had
been planted Then too if the year limit should
prevail a sharp issue to its extension would
be precipitated just the most critical juncture
OF the Presidential campaign. on the other
hand II the time limit is fixed three years.
two full crop seasons will get the benefit Of
The reciprocity arrangement, and at the same
time the Cuban question viii cut a small figure
r. the campaign Of 1!04. In view Of these con-
slderations il is believed that the House Repub-
lcans in their next and fifth conference on the
subject will the wisdom OF putting a three
year instead Of = two year clause in the bill to
authorize the President to enter into general
reciprocity arrangement with cuba on the basis
OF a 20 per cent tariff reduction.
THE SENATES PROBABLE ACTION.
It must not be forgotten that in the end the
Senate VIII determine this reciprocity question
unless the Houses action is liberal and broad
gauged. For this reason il is not safe TO predict
that the basis viii be a 20 per cent tariff reduc-
tion that any limitation will be placed upon
the period Of reciprocity Senator Burrows, Of
Michigan. threatens TO defeat the whole meas
ure but il is not understood how he hopes to
make good his threat. since all the other Pc
publican leaders in the Senate, with few eXcep-
tons. heartily supporting the reciprocity
contention. Most Of them, in fact, would prefer
90 per cent tariff cut TO the small reduction
Proposed by the House, but in order not 10 ere
ate further friction in the party 1t is probable
that they viii agree upon - per cent ar
rangemeut without any Limitation, and send the
bill back 10 the House in that shape. 1t is not
seriously doubted that after some grumbng the
House would accept this as the most practical
solution Of the Cuban question at this time
Senator Piatt, Of Connecticut, who is one Of the
most robust and intelligent protectionists in
public life, and whose influence in the Senate Is
second none. viii handle the bill when 1t
reaches the upper chamber, and this of itself is
guarantee that Cuban reciprocity VIII be
based upon a broad and satisfactory foundation
COMING TO CONSULT SENIOR PALMA.
Havana March 16.-Secret>ry of State Tam
aye and senor Capote sailed for New-York yes