The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-04-15
THE ISLE OF PINES
SENATOR MORGAN BELIEVES HE
 HAS HELD UP THE TREATY.
Tobacco and Sugar Interests Said to Be Opposed to Turning the Little Is- land Over to Cuba. Hints
 that Scandal May be
 uuearfhed.
washington speciaI.to Brooklyn Eagle

Washington Specialize Brooklyn Eagle.
 Senator Morgan of Alabama, claims to have accomplished the defeat of the Isle of Pines treaty. in which. he de- clares. Is in the same moribund state as the much-abused Santo Domingo convention. The neext step of the aged but aggressive Senator from Alabama will be to further harass the adminis- tration by pushing his resolution for full inquiry into conditions in the Isle of Pines. There are hints of scan dalous revelations to follow, involving one or more high officials of the ad- ministration In questionable land spec ulations in this little island.
 It is asserted by the opponents of the Isle of Zines treaty tha ttwenty-nine Democrats and nine Republicans have been pledged to vote against 1t. If these assertions be true the treaty Is as good as dead. The purpose of this convention is to cede to Cuba complete sovereignty over the island. For the past two years the stiffest sort of fight ing has been put up against the treaty. The men who have figured most prom inently in the campaign against 1t are Americans who have investigated mon ey in the Island, and who claim that their property will be confiscated, or seriously damaged at least. if Cuba se- cures control of the island. &s
 Lately it has developed that the real opposition comes from the sugar and tobacco trusts. There are several hun dred thousand acres of valuable tobac- co islands inthe Isle of Pines. and the tobacco trust has no wish to run up against the competition of this product. With the Isle of Pines turned over to Cuba, 1t will at once enjoy the 20 per cent reduction in the Dingley tariff rates on sugar and tobacco which Gu ban exporters are now allowed. It Is generally believed that the reason the Isle of Pines treaty has been fought so vigorously Is found in the desire of the tobacco and sugar trusts to pre- vent the products of the islan dfrom being brought into the United States under the advantageous terms of the Cuban reciprocity treaty. This agree ment will expire in about three years, when the products of Cuba will be on the same footing with goods from any other foreign country If the Isle of Pines treaty can be held until the ex- piration of the life of the Cuban agree ment the tobacco and sugar trusts will doubtless withdraw their objections to the transfer of the bit of territory to the Havana government.
 These are merely side lights on the great topic which Senator Morgan is interested in exploiting. He wants to reveal all facts connected with the re- lations between this government, the Isle of Pines and Cuba. He has been told that some highly sensational ex- posures will follow the use of probe It is asserted that there is in existence a printed pamphlet or prospectus, relat- ing to a certain tract of land in the Isle of Pines, which gives list Of names of persons interested in the property Among the names Is that of a distinguished official of the pres ert administration, so 1t is claimed. Until the pamphlet has been brought to light and it's authenticity established, little credence will be given to the sto- ry. The official in question Is believed to have too high a sense of honor to engage in any land exploring enter prise in the territory partl ydependent on the United States government Un- til he has been given an opportunity to deny the story it will be manifestly unfair to reveal his name.
 The Morgan resolution. asking Tor the appointment of commission to in vestigate the relations between the Isle of Pines, Cuba and our government, will he called nn for action in the Sem