Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-19
UNANIMOUSLY AGREED
THE SENATE DECIDED TO VOTE
TODAY ON CUBAN TREATY.
Executive Session Of Six Hours-Much
Of the Time Occupied With Adj
verse Criticism.

| curing vote yesterday was dissipared by
the discovery that there were more speeches
to be made in opposition to the treaty than
had been counted upon. Indeed. 1t was
difficult to secure an agreement to vote
even today, and 1t was evident that this
result could not have been accomplished
but for the anxiety of senators to secure
final adjournment of the session.
The executive session covered six hours
and was devoted largely to adverse cr1u-
| cisms of the treaty. During the day Sen
atOr Newlands made plea for the annexa-
ton Of Cuba and presented an amendment
| to the treaty rendering an invitation to that
| island to become state Of the American
Union.
The debate was participated In by Sem
ators McEnery, Newlands. Spooner, Teller,
Nelson, Cullom, German, Bailey and Car
mack
Mr.. Newlands Advocates Annexation
When Senator McEnery concluded yester-
day afternoon Senator Newands took the
floor. His speech was notable not only be-
cause it was his maiden speech In the SEN
ate, but because he appeared as an open
advocate Of the annexation Of Cuba to the
United States. and also as an opponent of
the treaty. As part of his address on the
point of annexation he presented the fol-
lowing amendment:
1.-THE republic of the United States, rec
ognizing the Intimate relationship between
the republic of Cuba and itself, and being
DESTROYS Of still further promoting freedom
Of trade and commercial union, of strength
ening the bonds of anity and friendship be-
tween the people Of two countries, cordially
invites the republic of Cuba to become q
state of the Union under the Constitution
and laws Of the United States.''
In support Of this amendment Mr.. New
lands said that the democratic party should
fnr frod ny,oy ,Gfn of hn r0.
public by promoting the voluntary annexa-
ton of Cuba through the free expression of
her people, and it should emphasize this
position at this time by resolutions to that
effect We should, he declared, give Cuba
clearly and unequivocally to understand
that If she wishes commercial union with
this country and conditions of commerce
with us not enjoyed by other independent
nations she must seek political union with
US In the form Of annexation a part Of
the republic. He contended that the theory
of reciprocity is wrong in principle, because
1t leads to favoritism both in our dealings
with foreign nations and among our own
people. Furthermore he declared that the
adoption of a policy Of reciprocity would
lead to retaliation on the part of nations
which might fail to secure the establish
ment of reciprocal relations. What, for in
stance, he asked. would France, our tradi
uonal friend among nations, think If we
should enter upon reciprocal trade relation
with Cuba and fail to raufy the treaty with
tended that Cuba is now prosperous and it
is not necessary that her industries be en-
couraged by us.
Mr.. Spooner Replies.
Senator Spooner replied briefly to Senator
Newlands and sharply criticised his policy
Of annexation. He said that under the Tel
Ter resolution the political independence Of
the Cubans had been guaranteed. and under
that pledge and in respect to our own obli-
looking to any other result He also argued
that the United States is under moral obli-
| cations to assist the people of Cuba, and
added that on account of the close relation
ship existing between the two lands, and
also because Of their geographical proxim-
| ity. the United States should lose no OPP
portunity to strengthen the ties of COM
merce and friendship. Our good deeds
should not cease with the close of the war
and the establishment of Cuban independ-
ence.
Senator Newlands challenged several OF
| Mr.. Spooner's statements anG the two en-
| gagged for a time in a spirited controversy.
| In this Senators Teller and Nelson partici-
pated, both attacking the treaty and the
latter replying pointedly to Mr.. Spooner.
Senator Teller repeated his declaration
| that the treaty was intended to benefit the
sugar trust and calculated to do incalcula-
Bile injury to the sugar interests Of the
| United States But he urged that the treaty
| was indefensible, even if the trust would
| not be benefited, for the reason that 1t
| would place a bounty upon the sugar prod
| uct or our principal competitor as a sugar
| producer. But bad as 1t was from his
| standpoint he predicted that every republt-
can senator would be found voting for it.
| what 1t was that secured their support of
| such agreements as this and the Panama
| canal treaty he did not know, but he was
| sure that not even the eloquence of a De-
| mosthenes or the logic Of a Lord Bacon
would move them from their position.
Mr.. Nelson's Criticism.
Without announcing his intention to vote
| for or against the treaty, Senator Nelson
| criticised 1t sharply. He replied to Senator
| Spooner's contention that the United States
Is under obligation to aid the Cubans, and
| said that this country had certainly done
an for that country that one nation could
| be expected to do for another. He said
| that there had originally been two pleas in
| behalf of Cuban reciprocity-one on account
| Of obligations to the Cubans and the other
| been completely exploded by a showing Of
the facts, and in the light of reason the
| former was just as fictitious
At this point Senator Cullom made an eff
fort to secure an agreement to fix a time for
| a vote. Senator German said that he had
| no objection, but Senators Carmack and
| Bailey both declared that they were then
unprepared to name an hour for taking a
withdrew their objections, and the hour OF
3 O'Clock this afternoon was named as the
time for beginning the voting upon the
treaty and amendments.
In the course Of a speech explaining his
objections to fixing time for taking a vote
| Senator Bailey criticised the treaty from a
constitutional point Of view, saying that a
provision for the concurrence of the House
was not sufficient, as it was requisite that
| In all matters pertaining to the revenue the
House should take the initiative.
During the day Senator Nelson offered an
amendment placing flour imported into
C%ba in THE 40 per cent reduction Schedule.
and Senator McEnery an amendment strik
| ing out the article Of the treaty providing
/ against affy reduction on American tobac-
COS imported into Cuba.
Iahe Senate, at o'clock. adjourned until
| NO clock9today.
/ n n. l..s-
b. Boyd's and Vicinity.
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.