Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-11
LINING UP FOR A FIGHT
Position of Democrats in the
Senate.
THE TWO TREATIES
SUGGESTION THAT THEY BE CON-
SIDERED TOGETHER.
Real Object is to Insist on an Amend
ment to the Cuban
Treaty.

The democrats in the Senate are lining up
for fight against the Cuban reciprocity
treaty with the object of throwing that
treaty over until the next session OF Con-
gress, so that the whole subject of tariff
revision can be opened up in the House. The
Senate democrats also are inclined to insist
upon amendment of the Panama treaty, but
1t is believed that their insistence in that
direction bears mainly upon the paramount
object of embarrassing the Cuban treaty.
After the Senate adjourned yesterday af-
ternoon a conference was held in Senator
Germans room which was attended by
about dozen senator's. At this conference
sentiment was developed in favor of pro-
posing two amendments to the Panama
treaty and to make them features Of the
democratic party's policy. These amend
ments were first that the United States
must have complete control and sovereignty
over the strip of land through which the
canal runs and that the clause of the
treaty which disavows the intention of the
United States to acquire territory in Cen
mated.
A Suggestion.
The suggestion has been made by demo-
cratic senators that the Cuban reciprocity
treaty should be reported to the Senate
from committee and considered coinciden-
tally with the Panama treaty. The object
Of this suggestion is believed by the re-
publican managers to be in furtherance OF
the general design of the democrats to en-
barrass the Panama treaty and secure q
compromise by which the democratic
amendments to the Cuban treaty will be
accepted by the republicans. At yester-
days conference it was decided to bring
up the subjects at another conference or In
caucus of democrats to be called here
after.
The present aim of the Senate democrats
is to insist upon an amendment to the Gu
ban treaty providing that even if the treaty
should be ratified at the present session the
change In duties should not become effec-
tive until action had been taken by Con-
gress at it's next regular session. Some
democrats also are in favor of bringing up
the French reciprocity treaty and would
make the same stipulation to that in
strument. the effect of which would be to
give another lever for prying open tariff re-
vision at the next session.
Senator German and Senator Morgan were
In conference today more than an hour In
Senator Morgan's committee room. The col
leagues of Senator Morgan are anxious that
the senator should Cooperate with them in
any general policy which may be decided
upon and that he should not maintain the
attitude of free lance. going after these
large questions solely upon his own ac-
count.
The republican managers are somewhat
concerned over the aggressive attitude Of
the HllIlpIlly at tnlS time. Inere Is no mis-.
taking the evidences of determination on
the part of the minority to make a very
aggressive fight and to gain, il possible
some political capital out of these two
treaties. The Senate democrats are looking
ahead to the next Congress and beyond that
to the presidential campaign and are anx-
ious to begin making hay while the sun
shines.
No Dissension Among Democrats.
The reports Of dissenson among the demo-
Gratis and of incipient revolt against the
leadership of Senator German are without
foundation of fact. There is no dissension
among the democrats, but on the contrary
a spirit of harmony prevails and there IL
more enthusiasm among them than has
been demonstrated for some time. Sena tor,
Germans selection as leader was not forced
and did not leave ranking in any faction
Of the minority.
When Senator Jones went out of the Sem
ate 1t was recognized that g. tnstor Germans
experience and his prominent position in the
national party fitted him for the place. The
leadership was given him ungrudgingiy.
and one is inclined to hold back in the
traces after he has started the democratic
team to pulling together
The democrats are comforting among
themselves freely and with great earnest.
ness. The belief is general among them
that opportunities exist in the present sit
uation for making political capital which
will be valuable. and the only question IL
one of ways and means to effect that desir-
ed object most readily.
The democrats are very anxious to enlist
the support of some republicans in their
program Of procrastination for the CubanI
reciprocity treaty. They know very WELL
the existence Of republican opposition to-
that instrument, although the republicans
trying to veil that fact The democrats:
feel they would gain point If the amend
ment they propose providing that Congress
put the new tariff rates into effect, were
adopted by combined democratic and repub-
lican vote. That would pass the question
up to the next Congress, and relieve the
democrats, as a party, from responsibility
from so doing.