Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-13
WILL STAND BY CUBA
ADMINISTRATIVE SENATORS
HAVE SotaDHCIDED.
Beet Sugar Republicans Must Either
Vote WITH Their Party or 90
With Democrats.

d '-77-1d -
Administration senators said this after
noon that a conference of republican sena-
tors would be- held next week to discuss
Cuban reciprocity. I'll that conference the
beet sugar senators VIII be confronted with
the alternative OF voting with their party,
OF upholding the policy or the admihistra-
ton. which it is claimed represents pre-
ponderating element Of the republican
party OF the county or OF going with the
democrats. The alternative viii be pre-
sented IN such way ass to leave no room
Tor lodging. and VIII make a square issue
for the beet sugar senators to face,
The message Of the President today put
an end to further discussion OF the rebate
plan or any other substitute for the Cuban
reciprocity bill. It's ts the answer to last
nights ultimatum Of the beet sugar sena-
tors. ~ ~ - ,s-s ~.
The administrations senators are at a
loss to understand how the beet sugar men
could vote to take the differential of Of re-
nned sugar They understand why they
could threaten to do it. but that the threat
should be carried out Is to them incredible,
inasmuch as that would remove the proteo-
ton now enjoyed by the beet sugar refiners
Of this country as we'll as by the cane re-
finers.
The beet sugar producers and refiners
would then be put into direct competition
Vim LILO OouIlLy -pTOtSCleO DteI sugar Oh
Germany. .,-.
The Status Of MI. Thurber.
Secretary Root has decided that he will
make no formal statement for publication
respecting the disbursement Of Cuban funds
by Gen. Wood in the interests Of Cuban re-
ciprocity. OF course, the department, hav-
ing been in close touch with General Wood
at every phase OF the movement SO ener-
EeJlCally Forwarded durfp1 the ri doy
OF american occupation, was fully aware Of
the dealings with Mr. Thurber, but It Is
stated that there has been a misunder-
standing In some quarters as to Mr.. Thur
ber's actual status In this matter He was,
II Is said. In no sense an agent of the War
Department or Of, the insular government
or CUBA. He simply had something to sell
which was very much desired In the shape
Of a list Of addresses Of about 80 600 per-
sons who were regarded as molders of pub
TIC opinion. and SO able to forward the Gu
pan reciprocity cause when once they had
peen made acquainted with all Of the facts
upon which the Cuban appeal was based
1t was not known that Mr.. Thurber was
ooing anything for Mr.. Havemeyer at the
Time nus mailing lists were sought Ill the
interests Of the Cuban government. but
mad the fact been known 1t would have
made no difference 1t Is said, because the
nne OF Mr.. Thurber's employment is we'll
SHOWN to persons who have occasion to
conduct propaganda such as General
WOOD conceived and 1t was not supposed
Tor moment that Mr.. Thurber served but
one employer. As a matter Of fact it was
hhoWn 10 the war Department that the ma
tional republican committee, and. as II Ia
supposed. the sdemoeratic committee as
well. had in the, past freely awaited them
serves OF Mr.. Thurber's facilities for dis
OF political moment. And for this reason
there Is no disposition shown at the War
department to- Iepudiate what has been
gone through the employment Of Mr. Thur
oers publication department.
Legality Of the Expenditure.
Touching the ,pther. question involved in
this matter. namely,s the legality Of the
employment Of Cuban funds In defraying
the expenses Of this propaganda. 1t is held
at the department. that there can be no
question. The same transaction practiced
In the United States and through the United
States government would have been illegal,
because without specific warrant Of law
But In Cuba. where the occupying govern
ment was Tor the time clothed with all func-
tions-executive. Legislative and judicial
and was untrammeled by any prohb1tlve
laws. 1t Is held that that government was
fully empowered to make any reasona Bile
expenditure to forward the cause of Cuban
reciprocity The only test that can be an
piled to Its action. 1t is contended. would
be involved in the decision OF the question
Gs to whether or not the proposed action
was actually in the interest Of the Cuban
people.
1t is pointed out at the War Depa rtment
that there could be no reasonable doubt Of
the perfect right Of the existing Cuban gov
eminent under President Estrada Palma to
appropriate and expend money out of the
Cuban treasury to influence, not through
any corrupt means. but by publications or
other like means, the American Congress
TO grant tartn concessions upon which the
prosperity OF Cuba In the future win de-
pend. Therefore the onacials argue that
general WOOD: while governor general Of
CuDa. ana acting as agent for the Cuban
people, properly exercised Just such func-
tions.
Meeting Of Beet Sugar Men.
A meeting Of republican senators opnosed
to the Cuban reciprocity bill was held late
yesterday afternoon, continuing until after
8 o'clock, at which 1t was resolved that
they will cast their votes for the reciproc-
ity bill as 1t passed the House Of Repre-
sentat1ves including the Morris amend
ment for the abolition of the differenfial
duty on refined sugar, and that they win
resist all amendments that may be offered
to 1t: They will propose two alternatives
one being to drop the subject and make no
!urther attempt to secure reciprocity Ieeis-
lation; the other is to accept the rebate
plan.
1t was claimed that eighteen republican
senators would support this policy. which
action. with the democratic vote. would
suffice to pass the bill. Senators Burrouehs
Eikins ana Jones OF Nevada were author
lied to communicate the decision of the
opponents of the Cuban reciprocity bill to
the members OF the committee on relations
with Cuba.