New-York tribune., 1902-02-12
RECIPROCITY WITH CUBA.
HOPE FOR FAVORABLE ACTION BY
THE WAYS AND MEANS
COMMITTEE.
[Rr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
Washington, Feb. lit is generally consid-
cred unlikely that the proposition for the House
to send a special committee to Cuba to investi-
gate the industrial conditions there with the
view of determining Congressional action on
reciprocity will get any further than its present
] stage, which is one merely of talk and sugges-
ton. On the contrary, frequently stated in
| these dispatches there is excellent reason for
believing that the House Ways and Means Com
mittee will report bill before the end of the
| session for reduction Of 25 per cent on Cuban
| sugar and tobacco under a reciprocity agree
ment and that this arrangement will meet with
! hearty approval in the Senate. even though
there is strong sentiment among the dominant
element in the Senate for heavier cut than this
| in the duties Cuban imports.
| A Western member of the Ways and Means
! Committee explains that action favorable TO
| Cuba could be hoped for at early date were
| 1t not for the desire on the part of the Repub-
| llcan majority of the committee to await events
so as to frame bill that will get the full party
strength in the House and not depend upon
Democratic votes to put the measure through.
1t appears from this explanation that the solid
Republican delegations from California and
Michigan, aggregating nineteen votes. and the
one Republican from Utah, are not yet ready to
support a bill that gives any concessions to
Cuban sugar. Hence, If the measure should be
pushed now, it would be likely to lose twenty
Republican votes out of the total party major
ity in the House Of forty-one. 1t is contended,
however, that by postponng definite action for
month or two the California, Michigan and
Utah delegations can be brought around all
right for the most part, and thus the Democrats
can have nothing on which to base the claim
that, except for their support, Cuba would have
obtained no relief at this session of Congress.
The Senate leaders thoroughly informed
on the situation in the House and content
to await the natural development Of events
there, in the confident belief that the Ways and
Means Committee will take the initiative in
Cuban relief legislation. Nor the Senate
leaders becoming the least alarmed by the
vival of the talk OF Cuban annexation. They
realize that the Platt amendment. which now
is an integral part OF the organic law of Cuba,
Will act as permanent barrier to annexation
1t Is held that the Teller resolution Is a suffi-
cient reminder to Congress and the nation Of the
moral obligation resting on this country ? OF TO
annex Cuba, but If the desire for annexation
should in the immediate or remote future grow
sufficiently strong to conduce to a violation of
that sacred pledge then the Platt amendment
will act as bar both in the United States end
Cuba.
AS is we'll known to those who have studied
the question. the Patt amendment brings Cuba
into close contact with the United States for
an time, and estaonshes 3- a relation that Is
absolutely unique in the history OF International
comfy. BY the provisions OF this law the
United States is pledged to protect Cuba from
both foreign and domestic foes. That is to
say, this government is bound by the distinct
terms OF the Plat amendment to suppress ell
insurrections and other uprlsings in Cuba
against the regularly constituted authority of
the republic, when established; and should dis
orders Of any kind occur with which the local
authorities are unable to cope the United States
viii send all the troops that may be needed 10
restore order and maintain peace Hence, when
the island Is brought into close commercial re-
latious with this country Cuba while still en-
joying all the rights immunities and responsi-
bilites OF independent sovereignty, will have the
additional advantage over all foreign nations of
this country's constant protection and fostering
care, and OF trade benefits well. II IS be-
leved that this will prove satisfactory 10
both countries that after while there Will be
no considerable annexation sentiment In either.