The sun., 1902-03-10
BEET SUGAR MEN IN CONTROL.
HAVE VOTES ENOUGH TO DE-
FEAT CUBAN LEGISLATION.
But They May Not Garry Their Opposition
So Far ~ TO Antasonize the Admin
istration and the Party Leaders - Pres
ident Concerned over the situation.

So Far ~ TO Antagonize the Admin
istration and the Party Leaders - Pres
ident Concerned over the situation.
WASHINGTON, March 9-President Roose-
welt and the members of the Cabinet are
very much concerned over the situation
in Congress with regard TO the question
of tariff legislation for Cuba. Apparently
the beet sugar men have votes enough
TO defeat the proposition OF the Ways and
Means Committee for a reciprocal 20 per
cent tariff reduction, but II IL extremely
doubtful whether they will carry their
opposition to the extent of defeating the
policy of the Administration and the plans
Of the leaders Of the party In the House.
The President has done all in his power
up to this time to impress upon tho MEM
bers OF Congress, Democrats as well as
Republicans, the delicacy Of the task that
confronts the Government In carrying
out its policy toward Cuba and has urged
them, as a means to this end, to stand by
the compromise agreement proposed by
the Ways and Means Committee.
The fourth caucus of the House Republi-
cans, called for the purpose of adopting
a plan for Cuban legislation. will be held
on Tuesday night, and every effort is being
made by the Administration and the Re-
publican leaders In the House to bring
the party into line to support the bill OF the
Ways and Means Committee There have
been several conferences to-day and various
propositions discussed, including a rebate
Of the internal revenue tax on alcohol
made from sugar beet molasses, but no
definite agreement has been reached on
any Of them
The beet sugar men still say that they
ha 4 ha tsnt ~, loft nf laui
lation and that they will do it. and then
adopt a resolut ion indefinitely post poning
the whole subject IL will be exceedingly
embarrassing TO the Administration il
this should be done. as 1t will he formal
notice TO Cuba that the Government does
not intend 10 fulfil its moral and political
obligations assumed at the time the Cuban
people, much against their will, agreed
to the terms OF the so-called Platt amend
ment which re IN fact the terms dictated
by the United States as a condition prece-
dent TO the withdrawal of United States
troops and the turning of the Cuban Govern
ment over to its own people.
The time has now arrived for final action
The new Cuban Government will be installed
on May 1. and Governor Gen eral Wood has
been ordered to Washington to consult with
the President and the Secretary of War
as 10 the details OF plan for the withdraw al
of the United States from the island. This
is a task so serious and delicate that the
Office must assume it, hardly knows how
TO begin. II is deemed of the highest
importance that the Cuban people shall
be assured of the continued friendship
and political support of the United States
after it's own stable government shall have
been established and assured further
that the commercial relations between
the United States and Cuba shall be such
that the latter will not become financially
bankrupt
Al. =. =.
can be obtained at once il the legislation
granting tariff concessions is enacted
promptly. IL il is not, the Administra-
tion believes that the Cuban people will
accept the failure as notice that the United
States does not intend to live up to its
moral obligations. will become suspicious
and unfriendly and make more than ever
difficult. IL not impossible, the task OF with
drawing the authority Of the United States
and turning the island over to its own
independent government.
President Roosevelt may do nothing
more than he already has done to make
Congress and the country acquainted
with the situation as IL exists, and he is
exceedingly hopeful that after there has
been opportunity for full interchange
of opinion and the careful sitting of the
various compromise propositions sub
mitted, the Republicans will eventually
get together in support of some plan OF
giving relief to Cuba.
i Is perhaps TOO much to hope that this
will be accomplished at Tuesday nights
conference. but it is thought that sooner
or later the Republicans will come TO the
support Of the pan submitted by the lead
els OF the House after a conference with
the President and the members Of his Cab
met
II, however, no action Is possible. the
President may decide that II Is his duty 20
submit 10 Congress a special message on
the subject. and he is fully prepared to
do this whenever in his opinion such a
message will have a good effect in Congress
and in tho country al large. He thought
OF sending such a message ten days ago
but decided that under the situation az
than good 80 he Withheld II and contented
himself with announcing informally that
his attitude had not changed since he sub
mitted his annual message TO Congress
In na,ap,ba,