The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-04-07
RECIpROCITY'S FIGHT
BATTLE FOR CUBAN RELIEF TO BE
DECIDED THIS WEEK.
NO DOUBT OF BILLS PASSAGE.
But WILL REQUIRE FINE WORK
TO PUT 1T through.

Both Democrats and Republicans
Are Divided ON the subject-Re-
publicans Would Like to Carry 1t
With Their own Strength, but May
Need Democratic HeIp-The Fun
Will Come With the Democratic
Tariff Amendments to the Bill.
Chinese Exclusion Bill to BE Pass
ed To-day by Practically Unani-
nous Vote.
Washington, April 6.-The great bat
tie over Cuban reciprocity, which Gre
ated such a protracted struggle.
among the Republicans, both in eau
Gus and in the Committee on Ways
and Means, will De fought out on the
floor of the House this week. The ulti-
mate passage of the Payne bill pro-
viding for 20 per cent. reduction of
the tariff on products of Cuba after
the negotiation of reciprocity treaty
and the enactment of our immigration
laws by the republic of Cuba, is re-
garded as a foregone conclusion. but
uhe situation Is a complicated one ow-
ing to the divisions among the Dem
ocrats as we'll as the Republicans.
How far the Republican opponents of
the proposed legislation will carry
their opposition is not definitely de-
termined. The strength Of this oppo-
sition has dwindled until it probably
numbers less than thirty.
On the other hand UP to the present
time large majority of the Demo-
re
dom of trade with Cuba and would
vote for a deeper cut than the Ways
and Means bill proposes. Others, like
Mr.. Newlands of Nevada, are in favor
of the immediate annexation of the
islands, and quite a number under
the lead of the Louisiana members
VIII oppose strenuously any tar
iff concessions whatever. 1t is
limited that the attitude of the Demo-
Gratis in the Senate who have fixed on
a programme of opposition there NAV
result before the vote Is taken in
more unity of action on the part of
the Democrats of the House. Some
OF the Republican opponents of the
Dill viii speak against it, but the
leaders OF the Republican opposition
show a strong Discrimination to parti
that there Is no hope of defeating the
bill and that their speeches would be-
come Democratic campaign material
The bill will be brought up on Tues
day as revenue bill, which is prfvi
legged under the rules, but no special
order Will be brought in for it's con-
slderatioiI. In this way the possibility
or the defeat Of "a rule through a COM
Dination of the Republican recalcitrants
and the Democrats will be avoided. The
general debate will be allowed to ok
haust itself. The leaders on both sides
estimate that not more than three DAYS
VIII be consumed in general debate.
Fight VIII Re ON Amendment.
The real fight will come subsequent
ly when the bill is read for amend
ment under the five-minute rule. It
Will then be that the Democrats will
seek to offer amendments having for
their purpose the opening up of the
whole tariff question. While some of
these amendments might command
some Republican votes, If they should
actually come to a vote, they will be
ruled out of order in the House. as
they were in the committee and the
only method by which they can be
reached would be by overruling the
decision of the chair. 1t is certain
that not half a dozen, If indeed any
ieSpupHSdns' VIII 80 10 LnlS length, so
that the Republican leaders feel as
sured that none of these propositions
will come to an actual vote. The only
amendments which will be held to be
germane and in order will be those
increasing or decreasing the amount
of the concession, and the leaders feel
reasonably safe in the prediction that
the caucus decision for 20 per cent.
reduction will stand. 1t is their hope
that on the final vote the bill will be
passed by Republican votes.
The Chinese exclusion bill, which will
come to final vote tomorrow, will
command practically every vote in the
House. The only question is as ito how
far the majority bill will be amended
by the insertion of provisions to make
it more in line with the more dras-
tic substitute which has been offered
by the minority.