Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1903-12-10
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From our Regular OorrespondenD
Washington, Nov. 80, 1908.


ed unanimously and without
amendment by the Junta and the
ministry, has been officially de-
livered to United States Consul
General Gudger. He will forward
it to Washington, probably in an
American war ship, and President
Roosevelt will lose no time in send
ing it to the Senate. 1t is expect
ed here in about ten days, so the
Senate will be able to consider it
Immediately after vote is taken
on the Cuban bill. Senator Cnl-
lom, chairman of the Committee
ON Foreign Relations expects oppos-
ition to the treaty, but he feels
certain that it will be ratified by
the required two-thirds majority.
It's provisions are so advantageous
to the United States and the senti-
ment throughout the country is so
strong for a canal, that few of the
democratic Senators will care to
delay its ratification.
George Reyes, the Columbian
commissioner, and DR.. Herran, the
charge de affairs took luncheon
18th Secretary Hay, and discussed
affairs in Colombia and on the
Isthmus. General Reyes outlined
in general the position OF his gov
ernment, but as he is waiting for
explicit instructions, he can not
submit any defnate proposals. 1t
is thought that he will be permit
ted to recognize the definite separa-
tion OF Colombia and Panama and
negotiate for some kind of compen-
sation for Colombia. This is of
course the only way in which he
can accomplish anything by his
mission. Panama is now an inde-
pendent state and the day that the
present treaty is ratified by the
Senate, this government guaran-
tees this independence, even
against Colombia.
Senator Foraker, who is chair
man of the Committee on Pacific
Islands and Porto Rico and one OF
the frmest supporters of President
Roosevelt, declares that he does
not intend to abandon the Lodge
bill reducing the tariff ON imports
from the Philippines. This bill is
favored by many republicans who
do not wish to start a tariff discus.
sion before the presidential elect.
ion. Senator Foraker says, "Why
should the republican party be
afraid to discuss the tariff at any
time? If there is any policy ofleg
islation with which the republican
party is identified, and identified
too, to the satisfaction of the Ameri
can people, is election returns can
be taken as an indication, it is the
tariff.
"Let them talk tariff if they
want to. What have we to be con
cerned about? We admit tha
some schedules in the Dingley
tariff act, framed in 1897, may no
be altogether satisfactory for th'
conditions of 1904; but we shall
use our own discretion as to tn,
time and method of changing then
and take the responsibility befor,
the country for preventing the un
settling of industrial and trad
conditions.
II believe there ought to be fire,
trade with the Philippines as ther
is with Porto Rico. 1 believe TIN
Senate will at least pass a bill
reducing the rate of tariff on tn
products of the Philippine Island
entering this country" He add
his belief that such bill will b
passed this winter.
Although Senator Foraker's pro
position has not yet been mucl
discussed, it is regarded as th
statement of one high in part
councils, and makes it probabl
that the Philippine tariff will b
the subject of much debate durin
the winter.