New-York tribune., 1902-03-25
DECIDING FUTURE OF CUBA.
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT CONFERS WITH ESTRADA PALMA
AND OPPONENTS OF RECIPROCITY
WORKING FOR HARMONY.
THE PRESIDENT CONFERS WITH OPPO-
NENTS OF THE PAYNE BILL.
lBy The Associated Pressl

Washington. March PA conference was
held at the White House this afternoon between
the President and seven Of the Republican men,
heTs of the House. who have been foremost in
opposing the plan of reciprocity with Cuba
urged by the Ways and Means Committee and
understood 10 have the support Of the adrnin-
lstration The members who called were Repre-
sentatives Tawney and Morris Of Minnesota:
Dick. of Ohio: William a. Smith. OF Michigan:
Minor, of Wisconsin; NIetcalf Of California and
Dayton, Of West Virginia The call was at the
request Of the President. who desired an ex-
change Of views in order that harmonious ac-
ton might be secured in such steps as are taken
IN Dehaf of Cuba As General Wood has ar
rlVed mere from Cuba. and as several members
'f the Cabinet We're at the White House while
the Congressman were there. a report gained
circulation that Secretary Root and General
Wood were present at the conference. This
however. was not the ease. as the President and
the Congressman remained alone in the Cabinet
room for an hour and half
The talk took a wide range. covering the con-
ditions in cuba, what should be done to meet
these conditions. and also the question of har-
monizing conflicting interests so that there
might be unanimous action on the part of the
Republicans in Congress IL was said after
ward by those who took part in the confer
ence that it WIS Of the most greea ble and pleas
ant character. and that there was not the re-
motest suggestion on the part of the President
which could be construed as seeking TO ure.
them 10 yield their personal convictions On
the contrary, it was said. the President listened
to the recital of difficulties which had been
encountered by those who opposed the recip-
rocity plan, and also heard from them the varf
Gus plans by which they had hoped to reach ar,
agreement.
\ SOMEWHAT ONE SIDED AFFAIR.
The callers were frank 20 concede that rbey-
found the President dasirOus of extending sf-
fective relief 10 Cuba by the reciprocity plan
1t was said that the President drew attention
70 the fact that the Sibey amendment limit
ing the reciprocity period to December I. 19n}
gave the Payne bill rather one sided aspect
as II asked Cuba To adopt naturalization
and immigration laws and give us tariff con-
cessions without limit Of time. and in return
gave 10 CUBA tarln concessions limited 70 about
a year and half. Some OF the Congressman
We're inclined To admit that we were asking a
good deal from cuba in return for the little we
would grant 70 her.
The Interchange Of views became quite gen
eraL there being nothing n the way of definite
an agreeab bic expression Of opinion as 10 what
was best 20 he done under all the circumstances
OF the situation.
In the course of this general talk the surges-
tion was made thar if the Payne bill had been
modihed 50 rs 20 take off the diferentiaI on
refined sugar some OF the grounds OF opposition
might have been removed. However there was
no request. 50 far can be learned that the
bill be amended in this particular at the pres
ent stage. The rebate plan. which was urged
at one time also came in for discussion and
explanation
At the close Of the conference the general
understanding was reached that any state
ments made 10 the public would be 70 the gen
eral effect that no conclusions were reached. and
that the conference was confined 20 a general
Interchange of views. IL is understood that
the President viii see some of the members OF
The Ways and Means Committee Tomorrow
w hot sid o.
The issue which has arisen in the House. He
hopes that this general interchange OF views
with the leaders from both sides may bring
about unanimous action in whatever is done irs
behalf Of Cuba