The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-11-22
CUBA TO ENGROSS
ATTENTION OF CONGRESS
Question Promises Many In
tereSting Debates

Cuba and her relations with the United
States promises to be one Of the most
interesting and important questions that
will engage the attention OF Congress
this winter
Three points OF disagreement between
the United States and the new insular
government yet remain to be settled,
each one Of which is sure to occasion
much acrimonious debate in both House
and Senate. They are: The Cuban reel
procity treaty; the formal ratification
Of the Plat amendment in the shape OF
a separate treaty; and the question OF
disposition of the Isle of Pines.
The Administration expects to have
the reciprocity treaty ready for presen-
tation to the Senate when it meets. A
tentative convention has been drawn up
TO which certain objections were raised
by President Palma. Gen. Tasker Il.
Bliss is now in Havana TO talk over the
matter with him.
The Cuban government was Of the
opinion shat by reducing customs duties
as proposed in the treaty the insular
revenues would be reduced beyond a
self-sustaining point
1t is part of General Bliss task to re-
move this Impression. and complete the
negotiations for the treaty. From rumors
that have reached here from Havana. it
is understood that the Cubsns are not so
eager now as they once we're TO enter
into commercial treaty with the United
states. believing that they can End a
market in Europe for all Of their
products without being obliged to pay a
heavy price for the privilege.
II the treaty is compile ed and sub
Eitted 20 the Senate it will encounter
much opposition from the Western beet
sugar" Senators. They will not, how
ever. be as strong as they were last
session, and will be deprived Of the serv-
ices OF their leader. Senator EIkins OF
West Virginia. who has announced that
be Will support a treaty, although de-
termined still 10 fight the reciprocity
bill which was passed by the House.
The Western Senators will demand that
the other reciprocity treaties with
France. the British West Indies. and
other countries. which have been pend
ing in the Senate for two years, shall
be considered and adopted at the same
time as that with Cuba. and this propo-
sition will precipitate a tariff row which
viii probably prevent anything being
done with any OF the traaiies.
The Platt amendment, a. the behest OF
the United States military government
OF Cuba. was attached 10 the Cuban con
stitution. But It was done under the
protest OF many leading Cuban7 who are
members Of the island legislature. II
vas specified that the amendment should
be drafted into a treaty between the
United States and Cuba. but no result
has yet followed the efforts OF Minister
Squiers to carry out this plan No treaty
TO this effect has been negotiated. In
stead the Cuban government has been in
numerous instances steadily ignoring the
terms OF the amendment. and manifests
no disposition 10 give the United States
the control OF the naval coaling stations
which the document declared should be
given this country. In this same connec-
ton the big bond issue authorized by the
Cuban Congress last summer will come
in for a share OF discussion in the Amer
ican Congress. where many are OF the
opinion that IT places too heavy a bur
den upon the insuIar resources. and that
the United States Government. under the
terms OF the Plat amendment. might
eventually have TO redeem the bonds.
The third question, as 20 the control
OF the Isle OF Pines is also unsettled.
American concerns who have invested
money there are clamoring for a decis-
ion and complaining OF extOrtions by the
Cuban government II was agreed 70
settle the ownership OF the islands
through treaty negotiations. but so far
as can be ascertained nothing has been
done IN that direction.
Altogether. Cuba IS likely 10 occupy a
prominent place in the discussion at the
Capitol this winter