The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-03-31

Havana. March 2S.-The treaty of re-
ciprocity between Cuba and the Unit
ed States, as amended by the senate
of the United States was approved at
O'Clock tonight in the Cuban senate,
by a vote of II to 9. This approval is
absolute and is not hampered by any
conditions, the questionable time limit
amendment having been dispensed with
through the receipt of the cable mes
sage from Secretary Hay in which it
was positively declared that President
Roosevelt would call a special session
OF congress prior to December 1st The
purport of this assurance was trans
mitted to the senate by President
Palma and read at the beginning of the
session, an understanding having been
reached previously with Senators Bus
tamente, Capote and Doz, composing
the majority Of the foreign relations
committee. This was done by the Of
fering of amendments by other admin
ltSratlon senator's, substituting the un-
conditional adoption of the amend
ments to the treaty by the American
senate for the qualified acceptance con-
tdlneO III the original report.
Final action was delayed for a long
time by the discussion of an amend
ment offered by Senators Sanguilly,
Tamayo and Recio, requiring the house
to pass upon the treaty. This was vot-
ed down, to Is.
An amendment to or substitute for
the committees report was then offered
by Senators F'rias, Monteagudo, and
Betancourt. This, approved and ratified
all the amendments of the senate at
Washington, and recommended that
the Cuban executive take action con-
ducive to obtaining effective reciprocity
as soon as possible This substitute re-
port was added: 'This recommended
ton must be not taken as an amend
ment to or a modification of the
treaty.
Senators Bustamente, Capote and
DOlZ announced their acceptance of
the sub-report, while Senators ZayaS
and another committeeman argued
against it. The chief contention Of the
last named was the uncertainty as to
the action of the American congress.
Senator Sanguilly, in a long and i'm
passioned speech against the ratifica-
ton of the treaty, impressively pictured
the gradual absorption of Cuba by the
United States, in which he said the
that it was disgraceful for Cuba to be
a party to such a scene. Senator
Bustamente in a brief and able final
speech, cited various incidents of his
tory to show that neither weak or
wicked nations make commercial treat
les, and he predicted with certainty the
results in this case.
The vote was taken separately on
each section of the substitute report.
The vote on the unconditional ratif1-
cation Of the treaty was II to 9, on the
recommendation to the executive, it
was IL to 9.
The present session of the senate then
adjourned. The ratifications will be ex-
changed by cable.
United States Minister Squiers said
this evening to the representative Of
the Associated Press: The ratifica-
ton of the treaty without amendment,
is due almost entirely to the assur-
ances given by President Roosevelt
that he will call an extra session of
congress before December 1st. This
action Of the president will be appre-
ciated and accepted by the Cuban gov
ernment and people as an additional
evidence of the most sincere friendship
and interest on the part Of the man in
whom they have ever had unbounded
faith and confidence"
Secretary Hay Gratifed at the Ratf-
fcation.
Washington, March %. - Secretary
Cuban senate in ratifying the reciproc-
ity treaty. expressed his qualification.
During the last three days, Secretary
Hay has been in active cable COM
munication with Minister Squiers and
no doubt the action Of the senate COM
mittee in receding from it's position was
Influenced more or less thereby. But
three days remain of the time limit
within which ratifications can be ex-
changed. Secretary Hay said, how
ever, that as soon as official notifica-
ton is given by cable Of the mailing OF
the necessary documents, the ratifica-
tions can be exchanged at once with
out waiting for their receipt.
Secretary Hay added that in his mes
sages to Minister Squiers he gave the
positive assurance that the president
would call an extra session OF congress
in the fall. The time was not stated,
but the secretary said congress woulo
be convened sufficiently in advance OF