New-York tribune., 1902-03-05
Urging RELIEF FOR CUBA
SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM THE
PRESIDENT EXPECTED.
MAY RE SENT TO CONGRESS BEFORE
THURSDAY'S REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.
UNLESS DEVELOPMENTS MAKE
IT UNNECESSARY.
rBz TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUSE.l
IT UNNECESSARY.


Washington. March At the Cabinet meet
.ag to-day reciprocity with Cuba formed one OF
me principal subjects cf discussion. Every
member Of the Cabinet except Secretary Wilson.
cf the Agricultural Department. is heartily with
the President in his course Of continuing to urge
on the leaders Of the House the wisdom of pro-
-idirg basis at this session for a reciprocal
trade arrangement between the United States
ard Cuba That this viii be done is not doubt
81 bv anybody in q position TO know the real
situation IN spite Of the hesitation of the Re
publican House caucus 10 adopt the 20 per cent
REDUCTION bill offered by Chairman Payne, Of
-hA WAYS and Means Committee 1t is be
-laved. however that this measure will receive
he Endorsement Of the party caucus TO he held
thursday night. and that after this is done
Cuba's cause will have easy sailing through
the remainder If the session.
WILL MAKE STRONG APPEAL FOR CUBA.
n the mean time the President may feel it
Incumbent on him to send a special message to
Congress tomorrow or the next day. calling at
tantiou in strong and unmistakabie terms to
the fact thar he urged relief for Cuba in his
frst message. that his administration is com
r-Irted the policy. that the national honor is
pledged 70 give Cuba every opportunity 70 en-
GOV commercial prosperity as we'll political
independence. and that the party is bound by a.
distinct promise 10 bring Cuba into close COM
r1ercisl ss well as political relations with the
Tinted States
Although a definite decision as 10 the date Of
fha message has not been formed, it is generally
believed that President Roosevelt viii send It to
Congress in time to add his argument to the
Plea that viii he made for the adoption Of the
Psyne bill when the House Republicans again
neet in conference Thursday night. Hence, the
message may be read tomorrow. or the Presi-
dent may not he prepared 10 send il 10 the Cap
itol until Thursday morning. Then, too, II is
poes.bl that the occurrences Of the next twelve
fifteen hours may make il unnecessary for
him 10 take this course az all This would be
10 less gratifying to the President than TO the
party leaders in both the Senate and House.
At the same time it is realized that there are
many tirnid members Of the House who would
gladly welcome an opportunity TO escape from
the threatened wrath Of the beet root nagnates
tv laying at the Presidents door the blame for
the enactment Of reciprocity legislation ar this
session In view of this fact il may be neces-
sary for The President to speak out boldly on
the question before the meeting Of the confer
ence on Thursday night. in order to make as
sUrance double sure.
PROSPECT OF ACTION IN CAUCUS.
II is significant ana gratifying that the failure
of the second Of the series Of House conferences
held last night TO reach final decision favorable
= reciprocity has not discouraged the friends
~ Cuba in the least 1t was explained in The
Tiibune's Washington dispatches Of the night
before that the conference on the following 2
night probably would be dominated by the beet
root influences in the sense that the opponents
of reciprocity would do all the talking This
prediction was verified literally by the results
ss Messys Tawney and Morris. both Of Mime
rrfh in he
rrocity did nearly all the talking Mr.. Tawney
advocated his novel and unprecedented propo-
sition with force and vigor, and was ably sec
oaded b. his colleague. The Tawney propo-
sition IS for the United States 70 pay a rebate
of about 20 per cent Of the tariff collected on
Cuban products in return for which Cuba is 70
admit the products If the United States 70 the
markets of the island al a fat reduction Of 20
yer cent This is such plain attempt 10 dodge
ard hide that II is not believed II would get
many votes. even if IL should secure hearing
before the whole House. It was not only aWk-
ward, but the ablest lawyers in both houses of
congress declare that IL is unconstitutional, ana
might violate the favored nation clause, and
mus lead TO endless trouble. As the Iawnsy
opposition 10 reciprocity now before Congress, u
Is easy 70 understand how the Payne bill viii
iare st Thursday nights conference.
THREATS FROM BEET SUGAR LOBBY.
General Grosvenor. who al the opening or
congress not in favor Of concessions to
tuba. is now 80 stout an advocate Of reciprocity
mat he is reported to have declared his inten-
uon to resign from the Ways and Means Com
Hlttee II the Payne bill is not adopted by the
conference. General Grosvenor has been sub
sected 70 the same bombardment from the camp
~ me beet root people S have all other Re-
puphcans IN the House Petitions have been
ssIcuiated through his district, and numerousy
r-sheo, demanding that he vote against reel
Moclty with Cuba. In fact, every Western Re-
eugucan Congressman has received from one 10
hundred OF these petitions within the last
.-ehth, and they are coming in now thick ana
60, AZ has been learned that the old ulch OF
tteNns dp these petitions has been resorted 10
= the beet root lobby in Washington. Men