The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-04-24
CUBA SPLITS SENATE.
Both Parties Rent Over Reciprocity
 Bill


 Washington Special to Chicago Chronicle.
 The Cuban reciprocity situation in the Senate is infinitely more mixed and threatening than it ever was in the House of Representatives. Both Demo- crats and Republicans are divided over 1t Senator Burrows of Michigan says with the utmost frankness that he has pledges from twenty-three Republican Senators to vote against the bill. It has been an open secret for several weeks that seventeen Democratic Senators are opposed to the measure. Therefore at the very inception of it's consideration in the Senate forty Senators. Democrats and Republicans, are registered in opposition This is not a majority but it Is formid- able enough to cause the administration and the administrations friends great deal more anxiety than they felt at any time while the measure was pending De- fore the House.
 The situation on the north side of the capitol Is very much strained. There is disposition on both sides to precipitat0 fight, regardless of the consequences 10 parties or individuals.
 Senator Aidrich of Rhode Island, who is recognized as the champion of the Presi- dents reciprocity plank, succeeded today in getting agreements from Senator Platt and other Republican members Of the Committee on Relations with Cuba to de- fer action on the reciprocity bill for at least two weeks The Committee has not held a meeting for more than year be- cause there has been no business to sup, init to it. No meeting can be held untii Senator Platt of Connecticut issues caiI and as Senator Platt has acquiesced in the Aidrich program meeting VIII be de- ferred until Mir Aldrich is prepared to meet the opposition of Senator Burro"s and his followers.
 The Republicans of the Committee are very much divided. Senators McMiilan and Spooner are opposed to the W Der cent reduction provision of the bill. IL is understood that Senator Deboe or hen- lucky, and Senator Burnham or New Hampshire, also regard the measure as ar unfortunate element of disturbance.
 Senator Teller, the leading Democratic member of the Committee, Is an opponent of the bill. His Democratic colleagues Money. of Mississippi Taliaferro or fhof,. h,,. not made up their minds as to what course they will pursue. on
 Senator Culfon is in favor of the 2 per cent reduction and will vote for It i ne gets a chance. It is not believed that the Committee will, under any circum- stances consent to the House provisioh repeating the sugar d,ferential.
 X very probabl. outcome of the present situation in the Senate may De tns pas pas sage of the Teller resolution. which pro vides for the appointment of committss.e to investigate Cuban commercial conni. tions. This is regarded as an excelient compromise and a sure method or aVoiu ing repetition or the uisast'1uo g9.o
 which split the party in the House:
 All of the Republican leaders agree .iia. nat a whoIesaIe division of the Republican party 0in' in the Senate. following the bee beet snear bolt of last Friday in the House, would be extremely unfortunate and they desire to avoid 1t if possible, pt ihey t work ars pnt their own salvation. They expect m no assistance from the White House @ 1he Presidents unfortunate handling of the reciprocity measure in the House or kep, rssentatives precludes the possibility or fis accomnlishing anything in the direc- ton ti,s of harmony in the Senate. If he In, In, terferes at all Senators say he IS amos. ,en certain to increase the differences wh'ch already exist.