The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-22
PRESIDENT BETRAYED
BY REPUBLICANS
Cuba Was Promised Reciprocity and
Fails to Get 1t.

CHICAGO, March I'll William E.
Curtis, in a special to the Record-Her-
aid, says: When Mr.. Allison and Mr..
Cockrell went to the White house to
ask the president If he had any fur
Their communication to make to the
senate before the special session ad-
journed, he did not ask them to ex-
press his thanks and tender his con-
gratulations, as he did when the same
committee performed the same cere-
mony at the end of the rgular session.
1t was noticed that the committee re-
manned with him a very short time
not more than two minutes-and while
the senators and the president are too
discreet to reveal what occurred, it is
suspected that there was a sharp eX-
change of left-handed compliments.
The president feels that he has been
betrayed by his party in the senate.
One Of the two objects of the special
trade with Cuba Immediately and the
Cubans had right to expect that the
senate would act In good faith. The
president had a right to expect the
same treatment, but he did not get it.
Cuban reciprocity was postponed for
q year-perhaps indefinitely.
Whatever excuses or explanations
may be made by Senators Allison, AL
drich, Cullom, Platt, Of Connecticut;
Hanna, Lodge and Spooner, who are
responsible for the policy of the Re-
publican majority, the pledges of the
United States to Cuba have not been
carried out. Neither of these gentle
ment can deny that the Cubans expect
ed, and had a right to expect, better
treatment. Their congress ratified the
treaty promptly.
1t Is now more than two years since
we undertook to fulfill the pledges of
President Mckinley and the Repub-
lican party to give the Cubans the
benefits Of q reduction in the duties
imposed upon their products by our
tariff and to secure for our manufac-
turers important advantages in their
markets. This had been tried by leg
islation and by treaty, and, notwith-
standing the great talent on the Re-
publican side Of the senate and the
high degree Of craftsmanship displayed
by the gentlemen named, it has failed
both times.
Whatever they may say In defense
or explanation, the responsibility will
rest upon them, and their Republican
associates. The Republican party the
Republican administration and the Re-
publican majority in the senate prom
ised the Cubans reciprocity, not next
year, but now; and the Cubans don't
get it. They may get is next year. but
they need 1t now and they have done
their share toward the ARRANGEMENT
Of an exchange of trade promptly and
in good faith.
During the last political campaign
we heard great many political
speeches from the Republican leaders
on the subject and nearly every Re-
publican state convention passed reso-
lutions in favor of Cuban reciprocity.
Utah, 1 believe, was the only excep-
ton. Mr.. Allison, the Republican lead
er of the senate, for example, gave us
an eloquent argument in favor of Gu
ban reciprocity and nearly two-thirds
Of his Republican associates made
strong speeches in favor of the policy.
If the constitution prohibits them
from carrying out their pledges by
means of treaty, why did the Re-
publican senators permit the president
and secretary of state to mislead the
Cuban government? The treaty was
made at their suggestion. Are they
honest but ignorant, and was it nee
essary for them to wait for senator
German to assume the leadership of
the Democrats in the senate and to
teach the Republicans Of that body
their duty and the constitutional lin
ttations under which they labor?
Senator German is the only person
at the capitol who comes out Of the
affair with any credit. He is RESPONSE