The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-20

Washington. Jan. BIT would be difficult
to exaggerate the concern that is felt in
administration circles over the unmistake-
able trend of Congress toward wrecking. for
this session. at least. the great questions
which have been urged by President Roose-
velt and the solution Of which is demanded
by public opinion.
The most important of these. because in
the public mind II touches the national
honor and appeals to American instincts OF
humanity. is the question of the relief of
Cuba. There are others. such as the authori-
cation of the Isthmian canal. the curbing
of great and improperly conducted combina-
tions of capital by requiring publicity and
the removal Of the war taxes which have
paid for the war and are now rolling into
the Treasury a surplus.
But. overshadowing them all. is the prob
lem whether the aid is to be given that is
to bring to Cuba settled peace and life. and
lift the Cubans from sordid poverty by
reciprocal arrangement.
AS the situation stands to-day. this great
Cuban question is to be settled in way
not adequate to the needs of the islanders
or satisfactory to the administration. AS
cultivated Cuban put it yesterday. 'The
Cubans are going through hell to get to
heaven
Twenty-Five Per Cent Reduction.
The best that any congressional authority
thinks will be done for Cuba is a reduc-l
tion of 20 or 25 per cent of duties on Cuban
products in return for similar reduction
of Cuban duties on American products,
This, Secretary Root says, will be made
quate. Mr.. Palma, President elect Of Cuba,
says a 50 per cert reduction. will be neces-
sary The same opinion is entertained by
Governor General Wood, and by unpreju-
diced students of the Cuban situation. like
Albert G. Robinson.
Developments of the last week show that
there may be some doubt about Congress
granting even such concession as the In
adequate one of twenty-five per cent. The
beet sugar men, who. early in the contest,
showed disposition to compromise, are
now opposing all compromise. insisting that
the duty shall remain where 1t Is. The re-
suit of their altered tactics is just now
causing furry in Congress. which is dis
ouieting to those who had consented to give
the starving Cubans half a loaf.
Sugar Trust Has Hurt Cuba's Cause.
The Cuban cause has suffered at the
hands of some of its so-cailed friends. The
fact that the sugar trust has been very ae,
tive in advocating free raw sugar mas mad
n had effect on the congressional mind. The
fact that prominent Americans who own
large sugar estates in Cuba. like Mr.. At
kins of Boston. have been active in urging
their special interest. has done much
harm.
On the other hand. the great rival Of the
Sugar Trust, the Beet Sugar Association.
has made the fight against the Sugar Trust
SO that in nearly all OF the discussions.
the benefits to be derived by wealthy capi-
talists from the maintenance Of the tariff
or from a cut in duties have obscured ne
real point at issue.
The real issue in the, sugar contention is
the Cuban laborer and the small Cuban
farmer. It is not to prevent the price of
Sugar shares from falling or to enable NJ.
Atkins to make large sums of money out
OF his Cuban sugar.
Administrsf fiOn to RedOuble Efforts.
All those who are urging Cuban conces-
sions, from Secretary Root down, declare
that the 25 per cent reduction Will not ma
teriaily benefit the Cuban planter. but the
beet-sugar men are fighting even that re-
duction asserting that It will work injury
TO their growing American industry.
The administration has begun to realize
that its cause has suffered and Is preparing
to bring before the committee persons wilo
cannot be accused of urging the proposed
reduction In 0rders to bsneit themselves.