Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-21
AN ANXIOUS QUESTION
Political Relations Between
This Government and Cuba.
THE RECIPROCITY BILL
WISE MEN OF SENATE BELIEVE
1T WILL PASS.
Much Depends on the Action of the
New Republic-FriendlyF Feel
ing in Congress.

Diplomatic negotiations with Cuba touch
| ing the political relations between that gov
| ernment and the United States contemplate
ed by the Platt amendment, will soon en-
gross the attention of officials. Whether
the negotiations are to be hampered by
commercial considerations and the action
| of the American Congress is now a ques-
| tion causing solicitude in official and con-
gressonal circles.
| With the withdrawal of the American
| forces from Cuba 1t is realized that the
hold which the United States has upon
Cuba ceases to be practical and is entirely
sentimental. Dependence for carrying out
express and implied stipulations must be
| placed entirely in Latin good faith. Self
interest. of course, may be expected to be-
come ruling factor with the Cubans. To
| reconcile self-interest of the Cubans and
| the conditions of the Platt amendment will
In the opinion of officials of this govern
ment. tax the skill of the Cuban and Amer
lean officials who are working to that end.
1t is the earnest hope of the wise men of
lhe senate who are working in good faith
10 secure commercial concessions for Cuba
that the threats which have been uttered
from time to time in Cuba, to make hearty
fuihllment of the Platt stipulations de-
pendent upon reciprocity action by Con-
gress. will not be carried out
The friends in Congress of reciprocity
have their hands full of difficulties over
,he situation at present. 1t might be the
last straw if the Cubans should become
obstreperous and demur over the permanent
political treaty. The effect of such action
would probably be to arouse a spirit of
resentment in the American Congress sure
to be assiduously cultivated by the beet
sugar interests, that might interfere seri-
ously with carrying the plans to success
full fruition.
Friendly Feeling in Congress.
A notable spirit of friendlness and gen
erosity toward the Cubans is manifest
among congressman at this time 1t is
drawing it mildly to say that congressman
are pleased over Cuba's freedom EVERY
where about the Capitol is heard enthu-
siastic talk about Cuba. There is a little
tlnse OF MISREPRESENTATION in it, might
be expected Congressman are proud of
the action of the United States in the
case of Cuba.
We did it, and did the job in ship-shape
Yankee fashion," they saw and throw ont
their chests as they refer to the reforms
which have been worked in Cuba under
American administration. This feeling is
not partisan. and there is a general love
feast between the democrats and republi
cans over the affair
With this era Of good feeling existing
toward the youngster thai Uncle Sam
raised M and has set up In business prevail
managers are encouraged to think that the
task OF securing commercial concessions
for Cuba will be easier if the Cubans will
out act with tact and good faith in the
next few weeks.
Senators who have followed carefully
every move In the relations of the United
States with Cuba realize that the Cubans
would have absolutely no ground of Justice
or logic in Withholding concurrence In the
permanent political treaty pending the pas
sage of reciprocity bill. The Cubans
agreed In their constitution to make the
treaty, stipulating what 1t should provide
If the United States withdrew from Cuba
and turned the government over to the peo-
pie of the island. The United States has
performed its part Of the contract In both
letter and spirit. 1t now remains for the
Cubans to perform their part and make the
treaty.
1t Is true that there was an unofficial
promise by officials of this government that
efforts would be made by the administra-
ton TO secure from the American Congress
certain commercial concessions This
promise is being carried out to the best of
the ability Of the American administration
Any effort now, as has been threatened, by
the Cubans to insist upon fulfllment as
precedent to. the unwritten agreement in
the original bond would, it is feared, result
disastrously.
Plans for Reciprocity Bill.
In the Senate plans for passing the reci-
procity bill are working out slowly but, It
Is believed, surely, toward success AL
ready there are signs of diminution of
threatened republican opposition to the BILL
The pressure is too strong for republican
senators to assume positions of actual de-
hance to the wishes of the majority in
Congress and to the administration 1t is
not as II this were a fad theory or DO
bt1cal play Of the present occupant Of the
Write House. Senators are entirely familiar
with the circumstances by which this uues-
ton comes before Congress. They know
that it is in pursuance of government pol
icy. Some senators are compelled by
stress of local political environment to on
pose the bill. 1t is not believed they feel
1t incumbent upon them to carry their op-
position to the length of defeating the gov
ernments policy, however, and depending
upon this belief, the managers of the bill
are confident of their ability to carry the
bill through.
One effort of the republicans will be to
keep the bill from becoming a party meas
ure. The democrats are watching for op-
pcrtunity to get party capital out of it.
but thus far they have been denied There
Is no doubt that efforts will be made to
embarrass the bill in the Senate, with
amendments One suggestion advanced is
to tack the French reciprocity treaty.
That certainly would get the bill into |
tangle, for the sentiment Of the House is |
adverse to the French treaty
The aim of the managers is to strip the |
bill. make 1t a straight Cuban reciprocity
feature and push it through The leaders
in both hOnSeS think hat he