Middletown transcript., 1903-01-10
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 9th, 1903

mains to be done before the end of tn,
session. With the parliamentary ability
for which he has long been famous, Sena
tor Quay has managed to preserve the
status of his territorial bill which is still
| the unfinished business. The early
hours Of the session will doubtless wit
ness an earnest attempt on the part oi
the Republicans in the Senate to admin
lister to the Omnibus bill its coup de
grace but it will require exceptional
ability to catch Mr. Quay off his guard.
Meanwhile, an opposition measure
which provides for the admission of Okla
homa and Indian Territory as one state
has been introduced and will be used as
foil for the more sweeping measure.
~
There is intense interest in the fate OF
the Cuban treaty. At the last Cabinet
meeting it was determined to force the
issue, in so far as the Administration has
the power, and to make vote for its
ratification test of loyalty to the presi-
dent. Nevertheless there are some Sena-
tors who regard the bill as the first step
in movement which has for its ultimate
end the lowering of the Dingley tariff
and they are, as yet, strongly opposed to
the convention. Senator Platt of Con-
necticut returned to Washington early
with view to getting grasp on the sit
uation and OF fnrthering the interests of
the measure of which he is a known
champion. Senator Scott is one Of those
believed to oppose the bill, although he
refused to acknowledge his opposition
when approached by your correspondent.
On the 9TH, hearing will be given to the
friends of the New Foundland treaty its
opponents having already been heard.
1t is not regarded at this time as likely
that the treaty will be ratified, however.
~
The most interesting political feature
of the publication of Senator Hoar's anti
trust bill which, if not an administration
measure, conforms closely to the recon-
mendation of the President and the At
torney. General. 1t provides for full
publicity for the usual form OF trust and
prohibits combinations in restraint Of
trade. Already, serious opposition has
developed in the person of Representa-
tive Jenkins, chairman of the Judiciary
Committee, the support of which COM
mittee must be secured before the bill
can come before the House for considera-
ton. There are many who regard the
bill as unconstitutional but it may be
passed if only to test the law.
~
Secretary Hay has practically con-
cluded negotiations with DIR. Herren, the
representative of Columbia and is now
awaiting the decision Of the Columbian
government in regard to the treaty which
will authorize the construction of the
Panama canal. The terms of the treaty
as they now stand provide for an initial
payment to Columbia Of $40, 900, 900 and
an annuity of 100000 beginning in ten
years and continuing thereafter for all
time, or as long as the United States
shall maintain the canal. 1t is believed
that these terms are personally satisfac-
tory to DR.. Herren, the Columbia Minis
ter, but he fears that they will not meet
with the approval of his countrymen.
To sign treaty which did not meet with
their approval would be dangerous. It
will be remembered that when Senior
the Venezuela Minister, secured
the Intervention of the United States in
the Venezuelan boundary question his
we're SO pleased that they
elevated him to the presidency but
when the decision of the court Of arbitra-
ton failed to satisfy all the demands of
the Venezuelans, Castro led revolution
which deposed Andrade and compelled
him to flee to Paris for his life.
~
The protests of Great Britain and Ger
many against what they termed viola
ion of the open door policy in the Philip
pines were noted in my last letter to-
yether with the fact that Secretary Root |
mad referred the matter to Congress.
Since then, however, the officials of the
War Department have been making
'ome investigations as to the workings
# the law and its relations to the inter-
rational agreement concerning Philip
,ine trade and have secured some sur
,risingly gratifying statistics. That
here has been any violation of the open
loor policy is now positively denied. 1t
) argued that in refunding the export
luty Of $3.50 per ton on Manila hemp,
he United States is doing nothing not
qually possible to any other nation
1hich, if it go desires may help its
by refunding the duty
lso. 1t is shown moreover that under
he provisions of the law the importa-
on of hemp by this country has in
reased to the rate of $4,000 tons per
mum and, where formerly fully half
this amount was imported from Great
ritain and other nations, now the i'm
ortation from Great Britain and all
sher countries has decreased to the rate
3S4 per annum. In other words, the
nited States is becoming the great hemp
anufacturing country of the world.
he importation of this vast amount of
W material is materially aiding Ameri-
N manufactures and artisans, to the un-
'ubted injury of their foreign competi-
RS.
AscAuTTpn nv rrrUnars