New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-06-17
TIE CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE.
INFLUENCES AT WORK AGAINST THE
ADMINISTRATIONS CUBAN POLICY.
TRY TELEGRAPH TO THE TEIBUNE.I

washington, June 16.-what is behind all
the sudden and unexpected timidity and
uncertainty in regard to Cuban Teciproc-
Sly Is a matter of wide speculation. Whether
Il is due mainly to the desire of a
cabaf of Republicans in both houses to embar-
rass President Roosevet's administration in the
hope Of weakening him with the people, or
whether il is due mainly to the influence of the
combined sugar interests of the country. is not
known II is certain. however, that these factors
are quietly but determinedly at work. whether
the President himself his genuine friends
recognize II Another influence which
stimulates the opposition is the ever present
patronage question, with collateral business con-
siderations BY this it is meant that there is
element of Republican Senators that rightly
or wrongly thinks it has not been treated liber-
ally in the matter Of patronage. and would take
advantage Of this opportunity to impress on the
President that it is aggrieved and would like to
be placated.
There is stin another element, coming mainly
from the West which is displeased with the
course Of Secretary Hitchcock in dealing so
vigorously with the cattle question. involving
his open and avcwed hostility to the old system
of the cattle barons fencing many millions Of
acres of the public domain for free grazing pur-
poses-that is. free to themselves alone. The
President is earnestly supporting his Secretary
Of the Interior in the latters determined efforts
break up this unjust system of the monopo-
Hzation of the public domain by rich cat
tie men. backed by the railroads whose infiu-
ence reach into the East well the West.
For this reason there some Senators who
think they a chance in this Cuban business,
TO which the President is committed heart and
soul. 10 secure less vigorous administration
Of the Interior Department than is nov the
case. either by inducing the President 10 ask
Tor MIR. Hltchcocks resignation or suggesting Ia
the Secretary that he be less severe me cat
tie barons. who have grown rich by using the
public domain either free of cost or al a nominal
rental through connivance with the land grant
railroads AS il is a moral certainty that the
President Will not yield to this pressure. il. IL,
deed. he is yet aware of its being brought TO
bear on him, artfully is it being exerted.
there is little likelihood Of the group CT Scna
tors here referred TO coming around TO his view
OF the Cuban question. Still, ii is confidently
believed that some Eastern and Middle States
Senators, who now either are openly hostile or
rapidly weakening in their support of him. will
soon relent and espouse the side Of reciprocity
when the caucus meets. With this help. IL Is
thought enough votes San he secured 10 put
through the Spooner substitute hut without il
the Presidents Cuban policy must fail.
This is the plain and undeniabie situation at
the present moment, and unless ii changes radl-
cally for the better by Wednesday morning. the
Boxers Will win their fight, with trail Of
consequences hurtful alike 10 party harmony,
and President Roosevelt's nomination in 1904,
Every Republican State Convention thus far
held has heartily Endorsed the Presidents Gu
ban policy. and in less than two weeks two
other important Republican State conventions
will be held, those of Michigan and Minnesota,
whose delegations in Congress have led the OPP
position reciprocity in both the House and
the Senate. The States which have indorsed
recinrorirv are Indiana Illinois Ohio Kansas
and Pennsylvania, and to-day some Of the Sena-
tors from those States are fighting reciprocity;
some openly and secretly 1t is believed
that IL Michigan and Minnesota speak as clear
IL In support of the Presidents Cuban policys
es the other great Republican States named, all
opposition from Michigan and Minnesota viii