Evening star., 1901-04-10
= Effect of Tabling the Platt Amend
ment in Cuba.
AN UNSATISFACTORY SITUATION
Probable Purpose of the Cuban
Patriots.
BEST TERMS OBTAINABLE

The Cuban constitutional convention is
proceeding along policy of procrastina-
ton which prolongs al unsatisfactory stu
alton and which is regarded here as of very
doubtful advantage to the friends of tnde-
pendent Cuba. The failure of the conven-
tion to take definite and final action with
reference to the terms of the Platt amend
q. ment Is looked upon as Indicating dellb-
crate purpose to leave the Cuban question
open for the embarrassment of this gov
ernment The adverse action taken by the
convention upon the Platt amendment
terms was, as understood here. by the
method of tablng the question, which has
the character of rejection which may be
reconsidered. defirite rejection of the
terms imposed by Congress would prob
ably lead to the convention being dissolved
and to steps by the United States looking
to settlement of the whole question In
practical and permanent manner
Effect of the Conventions Action.
The tabling of the question, while in
the nature of a rejection. leaves the mat
ter incomplete, being subject to reconsid-
Grafton as long the convention pleases
to continue its existence. The Cubans fall
just short of saying positively and finally
that they will not accept the terms, and
merely 90 not accept lcdNlllS SONciil
nient with intangible negative upon
which to base action
The course of the convention Is regarded
as both detrimental to the independence of
Cuba and embarrassing to the United
States Doubt is expressed in respectable
quarters whether the Cubans really expect
permanent independence. 1t is suggested
that the conflicting elements on the island
desire to continue the present condition.
the responsibility for government resting
upon the United States. each element hop
ing by the delay for an opportunity to es-
tablSh itself above the others. and each
preferring that the United States should
take the island rather than that the con-
duet Of a new inSular government should
pass into the hands of rival element.
Purpose of Cuban Patriots.
1t is suspected that underneath the whole
business is purpose the part of some
Cuban patriots" to advance their own in
terests. and that there is purpose to
place this government in a position where
it must take the island, in self-defense, and
then to find employment for themselves as
Instruments to bring about the acquisition
of the island in a way TO avoid the dis
credit to the United States which would at
tach to broken promises. The Cuban aim
seems to be TO confuse and embarrass the
situation to render difficult pos
sible the fulfllment of the promise contain
ed in the Teller resolution attached to our
declaration of hostilities against Spain.
No Advantage in Commission.
1t IS not apparent how any advantage
can come from the sending of a commits
sion to Washington, as contemplated in the
latest action of the convention, but 1t is as
sumed that the real object is to keep up
the appearance of doing something so as to
hold the question of the acceptance of the
terms of the Platt amendment 'in the air
and prevent the convention being dissolved
IL the commission comes to Washington
there is no modification of a law of Con-
greSs which can be had OF the President
and if any good can be accomplished it will
be through the commissioners becoming
convinced that the terms of the Platt
amendment are the best possible to be got
out of Congress. 1t is believed that a for
NAL and final rejection of the terms would
be followed at once by a dissolution of the
convention and call upon the people of
Cuba for new convention, empowered to
deal with the question.