The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-28
Who Probably Will Insist ON the Pro-
vision that Congress Must Adopt
80 s---.~- Ii Before Dec. 4.
WILL BE DISCUSSED TODAY
Notification Given by Secretary Hay
that Any Change Will Nullify
the Treaty.

HAVANA, March 27-Three separate re-
ports on the reciprocity treaty with the
United States were presented to the Senate
this afternoon by the foreign relations COM
mittee. One signed by the chairman, Senior
Bustamento, the president, Senator Capote.
and by Senator DOLE, recommended the ap-
proval of all the amendments adopted by
the United States Senate.
Senator Zayas presented report against
the ratification on account of the action
of the United States Senate in confining the
20 per cent. reduction on the duty on Cuban
sugar to the basis of tariff rates in the law
of 1897. Senior Tamayo submitted the third
and adverse report upon all the amend
ments.
Both the minority reports were rejected
by the Senate. The majority report will be
discussed tomorrow, and it is expected
that it will be approved by a small major
ity. Its provision requiring the adoption of
the treaty by the United States Congress
before Dec. l. however, is generally believed
to be fatal to the treaty, since the accept
ance by the United States Senate of this
provision is impossible.
President Palma had two-hour confer
ence at the palace to-day with the entire
foreign relations committee of the Senate
at which every endeavor was made to in
duce the committee to eliminate the con-
dition regarding the limit Of time in which
the reciprocity treaty is to become ef-
fective. The minority, however, persisted in
its opposition. OF the three majority SEN
ators Senors Capote and Dolz appeared
willing to ratify the treaty without the
time-limit condition, provided Senior Busta-
mento. the chairman, would consent. but
the latter was obdurate. President Palma
and Senor Zalda, secretary of foreign af-
fairs, offered to inform the United States
government that the treaty would be
ratified only on the understanding that it
would be operative by the date desired but
Senior Bustamento insisted that it should
be made legal condition Of acceptance 1t
is barely possible that the trio of senators
may make an amended report Tomorrow
be taken up by the Senate. He argued the
amendments were all unfair and prejudiciaI
to Cuban products
Senior Mouia, replying, contended that
Senator Tamayo had failed to show that
the amendments did not protect Cuban
sugar, and consequently 1t was the duty
of the senators to stand by the treaty
Senior DolZ argued that not the shadow
of a reason had been advanced against the
amendments. and that there was every
reason for believing that the people of
Cuba had pronounced in favor of the rati-
fication of the treaty. He said that Cuba.
in a way. was involved in American pol
lt1cS. fTOm appear the RECIPROCITY
treaty had become A political question be-
tween President Roosevelt and the op-
ponents of his reelection. In such a con-
test added the speaker. Cuba should ally
herself with her good and generous friend
against the trusts and his other enemies
Senior Sanguilly made a satirical speech,
paying his respects to President Roose-
yeit but opposing the treaty in its en-
tirety as being contrary TO the interests,
independence and dignity of Cuba. Senior
Tamayo's report was then rejected by
thirteen votes to seven.
Senior Zayas urged the adoption of his
report on the ground that the protection
ed treaty was uncertain and ineffective
He acknowledged Cuba's friendship for
president Roosevelt. but added that IL was
folly to permit that to affect the arrange
mert OF commercial treaty.
Senior Bustamente replied briefly to the
effect that the amendment regarding sugar
did not diminish the protection to be af-
forded to Cuban sugar. The Senate then
rejected Senior Zaya's report by II votes to