The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-12
CUBAN SENATE
RATIFIES TREATY
Leader of Opposition Explains
Nature of Objection
MORE THAN ENOUGH VOTES
Senior sanguiIly Says the Minority
Wanted to Draw Out Whatever
Could be Advanced in Sup
port of the Agreement.

Havana, March 1.-THE senate today,
by vote of % to 8, ratified the reciprocity
treaty with the United States.
The treaty was ratified by exactly two
thirds of the vote of the eenate. Fifteen
republican conservatives, or administra-
ton senators, and one nationalist. voted
in favor of the treaty, and five national
lists against. There were three absentees
all of whom, 1t is believed, favored the
treaty. The ratification required only
majority vote, SO that there were three
votes to spare. Senior zeyas, the only
nationalist who voted for ratification, ex-
Flaming his vote, said it as his desire
to amend the treaty with reference to the
exchange of similar commodities produced
in both countries, but he had no inten-
tion of opposing the treaty itself.
Means More Prosperity.
Senior sanguilly, the leader Of the OPP
position, explained that his opposition
was designed chiefly to draw out what
ever could be advanced in support of the
treaty. and that the arguments OF Sena-
tor Bustamente, as put forward in the
senate yesterday, convinced him that the
country would be more prosperous with
| reciprocity than without 1t, but neverthe-
less his attitude of opposition and disap-
prevail OF the acts of the executive de-
rartment of the government forbade him
voting yes. The vote was taken imme6i-
ately on the conclusion of a forceful APP
PEAL by Senior Bustamente.
He insisted that whether the trust or
/ IaF Afsaio foc
CT the twenty per cent reduction of GUS
toms duties on Cuban sugar shipped to
the United States, 1t was not possible that
such differential treatment could result
other than favorably to Cuba's trade. I'm
der the treaty, he said the European pro-
Queer would be unable to compete wI,h
Cuba If the European nations were really
| trying to prevent the ratification of the
treaty in the United States senate, it was
not on account of the little they would
lose In the Cuban markets, but because
they would no longer be able to send
sugar to the United States.
Would Provide Protection.
The treaty would also provide the pro-
lection that Cuba needed on tobacco.
Viewed in another aspect, continued
Senior Bustamente, the treaty would give
Cuba national entity and allow her to
enter lnIC TelallOnS WIFI the
nation which was hitherto considered only
her guardian. II vote" said the speaker,
for the treaty with the conviction that
we in so doing are rendering a patriotic
duty to Cuba, even If the treaty Is not
approved by the United States senate.
do not intend to retire tonight with my
mind disquieted by thoughts of weak
and hungry Cuba selling her independence
for a bag of money, but rather with the
knowledge that through our assistance
she has taken progressive steps toward
prosperity, power and the protection OF
her independence and liberty"
Senior Bustamente's speech was loudly
applauded.
The custom of approving the treaty 81
articles was dispensed with, and tie
recommendations of the committee were
approved in their entirety.
So many members of the house of repre-
sentatives have visited the senate during
tn past two days, that the sessions of
the house have been suspended.