Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-28
CUBA ENDANCERS TREATY
Almost Certain to ADOPT Amendment Which
viii Kill Reciprocity.
HAY CABLES STRONG WARNING TO HAVANA
Senate Rejects Two Reports UnfavOr-
able TO American Changes and
VIII Probably Adopt Majority
Recommendation Today.

HAVANA, March 27.-.Three separate
reports on the reciprocity treaty were pre-
sented to the senate this afternoon by the
foreign relations committee. One signed
by the chairman, Senior Bustamente, the
president Of the senate, Senator Capote and
Senator Dolse, recommended the approval
Of all the amendments adopted by the
United States senate in combining the 20
per cent reduction on Cuban sugar to the
basis Of the tariff rates in the law Of 1897.
Senor Tamayo submitted the third, an
adverse report upon all the amendments.
Both the minority reports were rejected.
The majority report will be discussed to-
morrow and It is expected that it will be
approved by small majority. Its pro-
vision requiring the adoption Of the treaty
by the United States congress before De-
cember 1, however, will, It is generally be-
lieved, be fatal to the treaty. since the ac-
ceptsnce by the United States senate Of
this provision is impossible.
President Palma had a tWo-hour confer
ence at the palace today with the entire
foreign relations committee of the Cuban
senate, at which every endesvor was made
to induce the committee to eliminate the
condition regarding the limit OF time IN
which the reciprocity treaty is to become
effective. The majority, however, per-
sisted in its opinion.
OF the three majority senator's Senors
Capote and Dolse appeared willing to ratify
the treaty without the time limit condl-
tions, provided Senior Bustamente, tho
chairman, would consent, but the latter
was obdurate.
President Palma and Senior Zalda, secre-
tary of foreign affairs, offered to inform
the United States government that the
treaty would be ratified on the understand
ing that 1t would be operative by the date
desired, but Senior Bustamente insisted that
1t should be made a legal condition Of ac-
ceptance.
1t is barely possible that the trio of SEN
ators may make an amended report to-
morrow.
CubR's Duty to Support Treaty.
Senior Tamayo's report was first taken
up by the senate. He argued that the
amendments were all unfair and prejudi-
cial to Cuban products.
Senior Mouia, replying, contended that
Senior Tamayo had failed to show that the
amendments did not protect Cuban sugar,
and consequently 1t was the duty of the
senators to stand by the treaty. Senior
| Dolby argued that not a shadow of a rea-
son had been adduced against the amend
ments, and that there was every reason
for believing that the people Of Cuba had
| pronounced in favor of the treaty.
Cuba, In a way. was involved in Ameri-
can politics. From all appearances the
reciprocity treaty had become political
question between President Roosevelt and
the opponents OF his re election. In such a
4 contest Cuba should ally itself with its
good and generous friend against the trusts
and his other enemies.
Senior Sanguilly in a satirical speech
paid his respects to President Roosevelt
| but opposed the treaty In its entirety ae
being contrary to the interests and the
dignity Of Cuba. Senior Tamayos report
! was then rejected by 13 to Z.
| Senior Zayas urged the adoption Of his
report on the ground that the protection
| afforded to Cuban sugar was uncertain and
ineffective. He acknowledged Cuba's friend
ship for President Roosevelt, but added II
| was folly to permit that to AFFECT the ar
rangement Of a commercial treaty.
Senior Bustamente replied briefly, saying
! the sugar amendment did not diminish the
! protection afforded. The senate then re.
jected Senior Zayas report by II to 2.
The question OF the futility and danger
| Of the condition inserted in the majority
| report was not discussed.
washington Warns Havana.
WASHINGTON, March 27-secretary Ha.
has warned Cuba that the slightest amend
ment to the Cuban reciprocity treaty. ever
that which proposes to make its ratification
conditional on the treaty going into effec
during the current calendar year, certainl!
would defeat the convention itself. An!
amendment must be submitted to the United
States senate, and before that can be dom
the date fxed for the final exchange of rat
incations, March 81, viii have passed. Mr.
SQuires. the United States minister at Ha
vana has transmitted this note to tn
Cuban foreign minister. and is hopeful tina
1t will be sufhcient TO curb the desire I
amend the treaty. 1t is fully realized her
that foreign influences in Havana whicl
would be affected injUriously by the treat
are working upon Cuban pride to defea
ratification by attaching amendments to tn
treaty. This was fully expected and is re
garded as within the legitimate duties o
diplomatic representatives in such cases
but it ie believed the effort will prove un
successful.