The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-01-02
OPPOSITION TO
The CUBAN TREATY
While Taking a Different Form.
Gives Friends Of the Meas
ure Much Concern.
PRESIDENT is CONFIDENT
Still Believes the Senate Will Ratify-
Sees No Assault on This Country's
Tariff System-Germany's
Probable Demands.

Washington, Dec. 31.-Considerable
>ppositlon is developing to the ratltlca-
! ion OF the Cuban reciprocity treaty
! now pending in the senat 1t is not
| :aking quite the form that the opposi-
lion to the Cuban legislation took last
spring, but it is sufficient in substance
20 give concern to the friends of the
treaty.
From time to time as opportunity Of
ters, the president is discussing the
natter with senators, particularly those
Who are known to have objected to the
enactment of legislation extending tar
If concessions to the Cuban republic.
! Several weeks ago it appeared that the
treaty, when presented to the senate,
i would be ratified without difficulty, but
solne senators are now taking as StronS
+; grounds against the treaty as they took
against the legislation proposed at the
. asst session of congress. These SEN
! ltors are of two c~lasses-those who are
opposed on principle to any tariff tink-
: ering,'' and those who represent states
] whose products ma be affected by the
concessions extended to Cuba by tie
pending treaty.
Senators of the first class might be in
1uced to support the treaty, inasmuch
as it does not involve, in their view, an
attack on the system Of protection,
we're it not for their apprehension that
The ratification Of the Cuban treaty
may lead to a demand from other coun-
.ries that they, toe, be accorded special
:ariff concessions by the United States.
Germany May Make Demand.
It has been indicated to the president
hat in the event Of the ratification of
he Cuban treaty a demand may be
expected from Germany within thirty
lays for concessions similar to those
accorded Cuba.
The most distinct desire of the German
emperor, as pointed out, is for the extern
sion of the foreign commerce of his en-
pire. He. of course, regards Cuba as a
nation foreign to the United States, and
so far as that point is concerned, on an
equality with Germany. If tariff conces-
sions are granted to Cuba, Germany, I'M
der the most favored nations clause, will
request that she be given similar conces-
sions. That request may take the form.
almost, of a demand. II it be not granted
The fear is expressed that Germany may
enact legislation that will be inimical to
The industrial development of this u
Try SO far as ernan is concerned, even
+ 1t should net curtail American COM
nerce already established in Germany and
It's possessions.
The same argument is applied to other
countries, Germany being used caly as an
example Of what may DE, expected of all
II tbs great foreign nations with which
ne United States has extensive CONNER
:ial relations.
President Talks With Scott.
Yesterday the president had an hours
conference with Senator Scott Of West
Virginia, during which Ii!ey discussed the
reciprocity question in all it's phases.
Senate Scott is Offering no captious OPP
position to the Cuban treaty, but he Is
particularly desirous. that nothing should
oe don't that III the end might result in
any concession on the part OF the United
States from Its present tariff policy.
The president, it is understood, believes
that the pending treaty With Cuba will
oe ratified. lie desires that it should
pc ratified as promptly as possible anu
with as little friction as may be. lie sees
IN the proposed ratification no possible
assault on the tariff system OF this coun-
try, and believes that it would be simply
the redemption OF d promise, direct or
Indirect, to the Cuban people when they
were in the throes OF the organization of
their government.
In this view the president is supported
by q large majority OF the republican
senators. While some trouble is antiCi-
pated in etiecting the ratification OF the
treaty, it is believed generally that ritti-
hcation will not be delayed seriously.