New-York tribune., 1903-03-12
CUBANS RATIFY TREATY.
ACTION IN HAVANA.
Overwhelming Vote in Island Senate
:. in FaCor of Reciprocity.
ley CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE ]
tcop>r.eat: 1904: BY ne Tribune Ass0ciatlOnl

Ccop>r4sAt: 1908: BY TIE Tribune Association)
Havana, March 1.-THE Senate to-day by a
vote Of 16 TO ratified the reciprocity treaty
with the United States
The treaty passed amid loud and contin-
uous cheering.
At the conclusion OF the session. Senator Bus
tsmante wh, made the principal speech de-
tending the treaty, was embraced ana con-
graduated: kilograms from the island ex-
pressing qualification are pouring in. Senator
SsnRpily who made the only strong speech
against the treaty. explained his vote, saying
that he was convinced that the treaty would
benefit the country. and made an ereuneHI
against II for the purpose Of bringing out the
strongest points in its favor
The treaty was thus ratified by exactly two
birds of the vote Of the Senate Fifteen Repub-
lican Conservatives or administration senators
snd one Nationalist voted in favor of the treaty
and hve NatioaaIists against It, There were
three ahsentees. all Of whom. it is believed, Ia
,-,red the treaty The ratification required only
q majority vote so that there were three votes
to spare
senior zayas, the only Nationalist who voted
for ratification. explaining his vote, said 1t was
his desire to amend the treaty with reference to
4he exchange OF similar commodities produced
I'm both countries, but he had no intention OF
opposing the treaty itself
in his statement made the rather mysterious
explanation that his opposition was designed
chiefly 10 draw out whatever could be advanced
in support of the treaty, and that the arguments
Of Sena tor Bustamente, put forward in the
Senate yesterday, convinced him that the toun-
try would be more prosperous with reciprocity
than without it, but, nevertheless, his attitude
of opposition and disapprova1 Of the acts CT the
executive department of the government forbade
him voting Yes
The vote was taken Immediately on the con-
cIusion OF a forceful appeal by Sefor Busta-
r,ente He Insisted that whether the trust or
the producers were the chief benefeiaries Of the
20 per cent reduction OF customs duties on
Cuban sugar shipped to the United States, it
was not possible that such differential treat
I,ent favoring Cuban sugar in competition with
that of Europe could result other than favorably
10 Cuba's trade. Under the treatyHhe said, the
European producer would be unable to compete
with Cuba If the European nations were really
seeking to prevent the ratification Of the treaty
in the United States Senate it not on &C
count of the little they would lose in the Cuban
markets. but because they would no longer be
able to send sugar to the United States The
treaty would aIsc provide the protection that
Cuba needed on tobacco. Viewed in another
aspect, continued Sehor Bustamente the treaty
would give Cuba national entity. and allow her
10 enter into commercial relations with the
nation which was hitherto considered only
her guardian. "I vote" said the speaker.
for the treaty, with the conviction
that We In so doing are rendering:
patriotjc duty to Cuba, even If the treaty IL
NOT approved by the United States Senate. do
NOT intend to retire tonight with my mind dis
ouieted by thoughts Of a weak and hungry Cuba
selling her independence for bag OF money,
hut rather with the knowledge that through our
assistance she has taken progressive steps tow
ard prosperity power and the protection OF her
f1denendence and liberties"
Senator Bustamentes speech was loudly ap-
r,Iauded The custom Of approving the treaty
hv articles was dispensed with and the recon-
nendations Of the committee were approved in
their entirety
sentatiyes have visited the Senate during the
last two days that the sessions OF the House
have been suspended.