The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-12-30
OPPOSITION TO The TREATY
CUBAN RECIPROCITY MEASURE Z
TO BE FOUGHT.

Senate Now Developing to Oppose 1T
President Comforting with Senator'S
Some Taking Strong Ground against
the Treaty-QuestiOnO of Protection.
Washington, Dec. 29.-Considerable
opposition is developing to the ratiflca-
tion of the Cuban reciprocity treaty
now pending in the senate. 1t is not
taking quite the form that the opposi-
ton to the Cuban legislation took last
spring, but it is sufficient in sub
stance to give concern to the friends of
the treaty.
From time to time as opportunity Of
fers the president in discussing the mat
ter with senators, particularly those
who are known to have objected to the
enactment of legislation extending tar
iff concessions to the Cuban republic.
Several weeks ago it appeared that the
treaty when presented to the senate
would be ratified without difficulty but
some senators now are taking as strong
ground against it as they took against
the legislation proposed at the last ses-
sion of congress. The senators are of
two classes, those who are opposed on
principle to any tariff tinkering, and
those who represent states whose prod
ucts may be affected by the concessions
extended to Cuba by the pending treaty.
Senators Of the first class might be
induced to support the treaty, inasmuch
as it does not involve. in their view, an
attack on the system of protection, were
it not for their apprehension that the
ratification of the Cuban treaty may
lead to a demand from other countries
taht they, too, be accorded special
tariff concessions by the United States.
It has been indicated to the president
that in the event of ratification of the
treaty demand may be expected from
Germany within thirty days for con-
cessions similar to those accorded Cuba.
The most distinct desire of the German
emperor, it is pointed out, is for the
extension of the foreign commerce of
his empire. He, of course, regards Gu
ba as a nation foreign to the United
States and so far as that point is con-
cerned, on all fours with Germany. If
tariff concessions are granted to Cuba
Germany, under the most famored ma
tion clause, will request that she be
given similar concessions. That request
may take the form almost of demand.
If it be not granted the fear is express
ed that Germany may initiate legisla-
ton that will be inimical to the indus
trial development of this country, so far
as Germany is concerned, even if 1t
should not curtail American commerce
already established in Germany and it's
possessions.
The same argument is applied to other
countries. Germany may be used SIM
ply as an example of what may be eX-
pected of all of the great foreign ma
tions with which the United States has
extensive commercial relations.
To-day the president had an hours
conference with Senator Scott of West
Virginia during which they discussed
the reciprocity question in all its phases.
Senator Scott is offering no captious op-
position to the Cuban treaty, but he
is particularly desirous that nothing
should be done that in the end might
result in any recession Of the United
States from its present tariff policy.
The president, it is understood, be-
1ieves that the pending treaty with Gu
ba will be ratified. He desires that it
should be ratified as early as possible
and with as little friction as may be. Ee
sees in the proposed ratification no pos
sible assault on the tariff system of this
country and believes that it would be
simply the redemption of a promise, di-
rect or implied, made to the Cuban peo-
pile when they were in the throes Of the
organization of their government. In
this view the president is supported by
a large majority of the republican sem
ators. While some trouble is anticipat-
ed in affecting the ratification of the
treaty, it is believed general ythat rat
ification will not be delayed seriously.
NO EXTRA SESSION.