The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-03-25
CUBA ASKED TO join.
Senator MeEnsry Offers Amendment
to Treaty Inviting Her to Enter
Union.
RATIFICATION Has Been DELAYED.
Opposition on Ground That Treaty
is Injurious to Our Sugar Inter
ests.

Washington, March 18.-Before ad-
journing at 7 O'Clock tonight the SEN
ate entered into unanimous agree
ment to vote upon the Cuban reclproc-
ity treaty at 8 O'Clock tomorrow. The
hope of securing a vote toady was dis
sipated by the discovery that there
were more speeches to be made IN op-
position to the treaty than bad been
counted upon. Indeed, it was difficult
to secure an agreement to vote even
tomorrow and it was evident that this
result could not have been accomplish
ed but for the adjournment of the ses-
sion.
When the Cuban treaty was laid be-
fore the senate Mr.. McEnery took the
floor and made speech of something
more than two hours in opposition
to it. He contended that the treaty
is in the interest of the sugar trust
and said that its ratification would
be direct blow at the sugar interests
of the United States. The present
tariff had, Mr.. McEonery said, great
ly stimulated the sugar industry OF
this country and he predicted that If
it should be permitted to continue in
force the time would come when the
United States would not only produce
sugar to supply its own wants, but
that it would export the American
product.
Speaking of the effect upon his own
State of Louisiana, Mr.. McEnery said
that practically the entire population
would be affected by the approval Of
the treaty. When Senator McEnery
concluded Senator Newlands took the
floor. AS part of his address he
presented the following amendment:
"The republic of the United States,
RECOGNIZING the intimate relationship
between the republic of Cuba and
itself, and being desirous of still fur
ther promoting freedom of trade and
commercial union. of strength by the
bonds of amity and friendship be-
tween the people of two countries, cor
daily invites the republic of Cuba to
become State of the union unoer
the constitution and laws Of the Unit
ed States"
In support of this amendment Mr..
Newlands said that the Democratic
party should stand for traditional ex-
pansion of the republic by promoting
the voluntary annexation Of Cuba
through the free expression Of her peo-
ple and it should emphasize this posi-
tion at this time by resolutions to that
effect. He contended that the theory
of reciprocity is wrong in principle
because it leads to favoritism both In
our dealings with nations and among
our own people.
Senator Spooner replied briefly to
Senator Newlands and sharply criti-
cised his policy of annexation. He
said thate under the Teller resolution
the political independence of the Gu
bans had been guaranteed and that
under that pledge this country could
take no step looking to any other re-
suit.
Senator Newlands challenged several
Of Mr.. Spooner's statements and the
two engaged for time in a spirited
controversy. In this Senatorccs Teller
and Nelson participated, both attack
ing the treaty, and the latter replying
pointedly to Mr.. Spooner. Senator
Cullom made an effort to secure an
agreement 80 fix time for vote.
Senator German said that he bad no
objection, but Senators Carmack and
Bailey both declared that they were
then unprepared to name an hour for
taking ballot on the treaty.
In the course Of a speech explaining
his objection to fixing a time for tax;
ing vote, Senator Bailey criticised
the treaty from a constitutional point
of view, saying that 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 sentaor Nelson offer
ed an amendment placing -four import
ed into Cuba in the 40 per cent: reduc-
tion schedule, and Senator McEnery
an amendment striking out the article
of the treaty providing against any re
duction on American tobaccos import
ed into Cuba.
The senate adjourned until tomor-
row.