New-York tribune., 1902-01-06
cTTBAN TARIFF QUESTION.
sEARP FENCING IN CONGRESS PROB
.BLE-RECIPROCAL TRADE RELA-
TIoNS EXPECTED.
fay TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1BuxE.1


washington Jan 5-Now that the Cuban
--.s,dental election has been held it is expected
- ,7e early days of Congress upon reassem-
Lu,e will be characterized by sharp fencing in
18th houses over the Cuban question. 1t is
,,,oun that in the Senate particularly the Dem
orats viii make persistent efforts to force the
psnubucan leaders into a somewhat precipitate te
.,s,Arnent Of the Administrations Cuban policy.
;-rssnect.ve Of the well known fact that the
o,1v important feature Of that policy that Is
-o+ vet determined pertains 10 the commercial
,1s.ions that are to he established between the
r-nited States and Cuba. Upon this question
,b.re IS still some division Of opinion among
tbe leaders Of the Senate. though this division
:. not broad enough 70 threaten disagreement
that would inAict hardship upon Cuba
There is no doubt at all that at the proper
time a measure will he presented in Congress
through the Ways and Means Committee of the
15ouse providing for a reciprocal trade arrange
-,ent with Cuba. To what extent this reel
,rocitv will go is q detail that will be worked
ont carefully by repeated conferences between
majority members of the Ways and Means Com
,,tttee and Of the Senate Committee on Rela-
,,ous with Cuba OF which Senator Platt, of
Connecticut is chairman. Chairman Payne of
,ha Ways and Means Committee IS still under
stood 10 be opposed TO granting any conces-
sions 10 Cuba, but il is confidently believed
that he will soon be brought around to a radi-
calIy different view Of the question.
General Grosvenor. of Ohio another majority
member Of that committee. has frequently ex
messed strong opposition 10 giving Cuba any
tariff concessions but il is said that while he
Was among his constituents in the holiday
cess he learned that their sentiments were so
strongly opposed 70 his attitude on the Cuban
question that he is willing TO yield to the
insistence Of the Senate for the greatest prac-
;icable liberality 10 Cuba by THIS government
The beet root sugar men continue TO practice
their Characteristic tactics in an effort 10
frighten House members by threatening 10 de-
feat them for reelection. but this campaign Of
bluff and buster has about lost its terrors, since
the people have been made to understand that
even free trade with Cuba would not destroy
the beet root sugar industry in this country. 1t
is expected, however. that they viii persist TO
the end in their course. as they have estab-
lished an expensive lobby IN Washington for the
winter. which must show signs OF energetic ac-
tivity in order that large number OF men may
retain their residence al the national capital
through the session Of Congress at the expense
of other people.
Aside from this influence there is and will not
be any organized opposition 10 granting 10
Cuba liberal concessions as II will be posi-
HE TO secure where there is an honest diver
gence OF opinion the general merits of the
proposition But there is scarcely any prospect
that Congress will act upon the subject until
near the close Of the session. This belief is
based upon the understanding that the Cubans
will not have their government fully organized
and equipped until about June /, and perhaps
Tot before July or August. Until they are pre-
pared to assume all the duties of independent
sovereignty a reciprocity arrangement cannot
be made with the island
But 10 obyiate harmful delay in placing Cuba
upon favorable commercial terms with the
United States bill viii be adopted instructinR
the President 10 enter into reciprocal trade re-
lations with Cuba as soon as the island is turned
over 70 the Cubans. General Wood the Mill
tary Governor Of the island has promised the
Cubans a 90 per cent reduction Oh sugar and
TOBACCO, and a bill carrying that amount of con-
cession has already been drawn This however
VIII be met with resulting complications by an
lIslstent demand for absolute free trade with
the island, on the principle that il is foolish 10
make two bites OF a cherry II is represanted
that the tobacco people would not object strenu-
ously 10 an outright free trade basis for Cuba
ana that at the annual convention at Hartford
next week of the New-England Tobacco Grow
trs Assoclauon enorts viii probably be made
70 OBTAIN an expression favora BILE to this policy
1t is argued that II the tobacco producers are
Wiling 70 face free trade with Cuba the cane
sugar growers OF Louisiana and Texas and the
Deel root sugar growers Of the West ought TO
oe aole 10 realize that they could be equally
generous without hurt TO their own interests.
On the other hand the sugar men are known 70
be so unrea sOnable that il is feared thew will
not agree TO suitable concessions and therefore
me TASK OF the friends Of Cuba will be made
all the harder in Congress