Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-25
DISLIKE THE CUBAN TREATY
English Interests Protest Against Its
Adoption by United States,
RELATIONS MAY BECOME STRAINED
Claim II Made that Treaty Discrimi-
mates Against the sugar Prod
uct Of British Islands
In West Indies.

LONDON, Jan. 24.-The reciprocity treaty
between Cuba and the United states
threatens to raise one Of the most serious
differences Of opinion between Great
Britain and the United States that has oc-
Cured for years.
so much Importance is attached to the
matter that a special meeting OF the
cabinet Is being called to see what action
should be taken. There is, OF course. moth
ing to cause alarm in diplomatic circles,
but Great Britain's entire commercial pol
icy is believed to be vitality concerned.
The matter came to a head when
delegation appointed by the annual con-
ference OF the Chambers OF Commerce Of
the United Kingdom waited on Secretary
Lansdowne yesterday. IT included several
members Of Parliament and represented the
most powerful business interests from all
the British Industrial centers.
Replying to the delegates argument that
all the advantages which the government
haG gained by securing the abolition of the
sugar bounties would be sacrificed IL the
Cuban reciprocity treaty became operative
Lord Lansdowne said he thoroughly real
ICED the gravity OF the situation and pro-
ceeded to read dispatches showing that
Ambassador Herbert had forcefully repre-
sented the British objections to the treaty,
pointing out that it was to all intents and
purposes a discrimination against all the
British possessions in the West Indies.
Secretary Hay Remains Firm.
Secretary Hays reply maintained that
the United States was doing no more than
had been promised and had no intention Of
modifying the Cuban treaty
Lord Lansdowne added that all the in
formation available pointed to the fact that
the treaty would pass, but ne announced
that the cabinet would consider If anything
further could be done.
The delegates said they understood the
treaty contained clauses stipulating that
no further measures of reciprocity shall
be undertaken by the United States toward
the British West Indies II such was the
case 1t was suggested to Lord Lansdowne
that Great Britain would be only within
! its rights in retaliating with an increased
duty on grain.
The foreign secretary gave no intimation
on this point, which, apparently, was only
| suggested in the hope that some of the
members Of the cabinet, who are reported
to be strongly in favor of a more protec-
Zionist policy, might use 1t as a handle to
| forward their views.
May Extend the Time.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24-The state de-
| partment is considering the advisability of
extending the period of time allowed for
the ratification of the Cuban reciprocity
treaty now pending before the United
| States senate. The time allowed for rat
| ihcation expires one week from today.
While the senate managers are confident
| OF their ability to secure the approval OF
the treaty within the time limit. the presi-
| dent and Secretary Hay have about con-
cluded that they will scarcely be warranted
in risking the loss of this important con-
vention and therefore, they contemplate
the drafting OF a special article in the
shape of protocol which will provide for
safe extension Of the period allowed for
| ratification.
The attention of officials who have had
to do with this treaty was directed today
TO the statement made in London to Lord
Lansdowne by the delegates of the Cham
ber OF Commerce of the United Kingdom "a
the effect that the Cuban treaty contained
a clause stipulating that no further meas
ures of reciprocity shall be undertaken by
the United States toward the British West
Indies.
IT was explained that there was no secret
clause in the treaty. What the delegates
undoubtedly had reference to was the
amendment to the treaty made by the sen
ate committee prohibiting for a term ot
Ave years any diminution OF the sugar du-
ties in the tariff laws the effect of which
would be to prevent the confirmation OF any
reciprocity treaty with the British Wes
Indian colonies or, indeed, with any coun.
try, permitting a reduction OF sugar duties
This amendment is entirely obnoxious t
the administration, but whether its exolu.
sion would mean the loss OF the treaty
could not be foretold at this moment.
Jamaica Wants Treaty.
| KINGSTON Jamaica, Jan. 4-Th,