The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-12
Cuban Reciprocity Bill Again
 Topic for Discussion
BARD OPPOSES THE MEASURE
Mccreary of Kentucky Makes His Maiden Speech In Support of the Bill as In Line With Our
 Past Magnanimity.

Past Maenanimity.
 Washington, December 11.-There were two speeches in the senate today on the Cuban reciprocity bill, one of them statement by democrat in support of the bill, and the other by a republican, in opposition to it. The opposing speech was made by Mir. Bard of California who eontended that the United States was to Cuba, especially since to do so, we must pursue a course injurious to our own industries.
 Mir McCreary of Kentucky made his maiden speech in the senate and sup ported the bill as in line with our past magnanimous course towards Cuba, and especially because he believed it to be a step towards tariff reform. At the be- ginning of todayis session of the senate MT Culberson introduced a resolution in strueting the committee on the judiciary to inquire into the question as to the right of the republic of Panama to es- tablish an independent government. Mr. Culberson asked for present considera- ton of the resolution, but Mir. Culberson suggested it go to the committee on for eign relations. To that MT. Culberson objected, saving the necessity for deter imitation of the point as to the character of Panama as an independent nation prior to the consideration of the treaty with that power for the construction of the proposed canal was important
 MT. Aldrich asked that the resolution lie over for day, to which MT. Culberson assented.
 Cuban Bill Brought Up.
 The Cuban reciprocity bill was then brought up, and MT. Bard, republican. California, spoke in opposition to the measure. He said that he stood alone on his side of the chamber, rand although he regretted his isolation. ne did not be- lieve it would continue. He was conf dent he said, that in urging the proposed legislation, the President is actuated bv the conviction that we are in honor bound to give further aid to the Cuban people. But while he fully respected the Presi- dents magnanimity, he could not agree with him on this subject.
 MT Bard argued that the passage of the bill would have the effect of iniurine the sugar producers of the United States and he contended that our government IS under greater obligations to protect American interests than to promote Cu ban interests. He did 20. believe that our trade with Cuba could be increased py this or any other legislation. unfil our manufacturers do more to meet ths demands of the Cuban people in respect 10 the character of goods supplied to them.
 MT. Bard contended that the passage of the Dill would be most injurious to the citrus fruit interests of his state
 MT. MeCreary, democrat. of Kentucky supported the bill in his first address to the senate. which received careful atten- ton.
 He referred to the srlendid work dcne by the United States m liberating Cuba from Spanish domination. md said:
 We must not mar our great record os or generosity but must go on and insure to Cuba coinmercial prosperity and financial success.'
 Would Amend Bill.
 lie would amend the bill so as to re- peal the differential duty on sugar and would strike out the five years clause, but whether these amendments were adopted or not, he would vote for the bill because he believed it's benefits would exceed any evils which might arise rom It's passage. He declared that .he pre- and advocacy Of this bll ry republicans showed a marked advance in republican sentiment on the tariff, and referred to the Lodge b..i for the re- moval of the duty on hides IS another ev- dence of a growing sentiment favorable to tariff revision.
 There is,' he added, st break in ne ranks of the stand pat republicans, and the day is breaking Or the democrats who advocate tariff r-form.'
 MT. McCreary contenIs1 that the re- publicans have no right t) say that re- riprocity Is exclusively T republican dJc- Lrine, saying that Thopias Jefferson had advocated the same policy before the re- publican party was born. md President Pierce, a democrat, had negotiated the treaty with Canada, tEe best rccioro ,ity treaty ever exchanged between nations. Moreover, Mir Cleveland had renewed the treaty with Hawaii, and the national committee in 1892 had declared for that policy.
 Mr McCreary then began general dis ,ussion of the tariff The surplus in the treasury, he said, is a certain indication
  He contended that our tariff policy is of such a character as to call for retalia- tory acts on the part of many principal European nations that Germanys new tariff was meant to meet our rates and that the trade situation between the Unit sd States and Germany was such as to arouse great apprehension Russia and France also had followed the example set oy Germany.
 Refers to Protective Policy.
 Mir McCreary referred at some length to the protective policy in Great Britain which he said had been induced by our tariff policy. 'If," he said, under the ible and accomplished Chamberlain a law should be enacted closing the markets of hat country by as high tariff rates as our own, and if Great Britain should allow Tree trade with her colonies, it is not dif- icult to see what the result would be-
 He closed with q declaration to the ef- feet that the day has almost arrived when | the nations of the world would cease to | permit their markets to remain open to | he United States. whiie the markets of l his country are closed to them. Mir. Tel | Ter asked MT. McCreary if he thought it l would ease the mind of Germany and oth- l er European countries from which the United States buys sugar, to know that the United States had entered into an