The Wichita daily eagle., 1901-06-01
LEADERS AT WASHINGTON
Hold a Conference With Pres
ident Mckinley.

the meaning and effect Of the action of
the Cuban constitutional convention in
accepting the Piatt amendment. What
conclusion if any was reached, Is not
known, nor is it known how wide range
the discussion took. The hurried nature
Of the conference and the fact that sena-
tors Platt and spooner were summoned
here by telegraph from their homes by
the secretary Of war indicate the desire
of the president 10 have a definite pro-
gram with regard to Cuba 10 submit TO
the cabinet meeting today. 1t is certain
that the administration win not consent
to any modification Of the Platt amend
ment by the Cubans. That document
must be either accepted just as it passed
congress or rejected outright Obviously
there is no middle ground to stand on.
Even If the president ana his advisers
were inclined to make concessions, they
would not have the authority TO do so in
this case any more than they would be
authorized to change or modify any other
act Of congress.
Secretary Root has been. fully advised
by Governor General Wood regarding the
passage of events in Cuba, and has been
informed of the action of the convention.
in its successive stages. together with the
final action Of the convention in adopt
ing the PIatt amendment and the inter-
probation placed upon it BY the conven-
ton as well as the Interpretation of the
interviews between the Cuban commits
sioners and the president and the secre-
tary Of war.
He was thus able to inform the presi-
dent fully Of the definite results of the
convention in adopting the Platt amend
ment as amended or interpreted by the
delegates. This information was the
basis of the discussion during the confer
ence.
The president and his advisors must
determine whether the Platt amend
ment has been substantially adopted by
the convention. This is preliminary to
the withdrawal of the United States
authority and forces from the island. II
it should be found that the Interpretation
Of the convention is not satisfactory to
the government quite difficult problem
arises as it seems to be the intention Of
the Cubans to proceed to form a govern
ment that government must be recogniz-
ed or rejected by the president as he has
fun power to determine whether the act
Of congress has been complied with by
the convention
Another problem which has been dis
cussed by those interested in Cuban af-
fairs relates as to what should follow
should the new Cuban government it is
asserted, viii be for some time without
the machinery TO execute itS own laws
and put in operation its own edicts- 1t
is held by some lawyers the moment the
Cuban government is recognized the
authority Of the United States ceases. and
there is some question as to who would
be responsible for the preservation
Of law and order, as the new government
would have no troops and no police forces
and would be practically powerless should
there be any attention to its decrees and
orders. The question whether United
States forces would be warranted in up
holding the government in executing its
orders has been raised; also whether the
president of the United States would be
authorized as commander-in-chief of the
navy TO give orders TO our troops further
than their recall from foreign territory.
Before the Cuban convention acted,
these subjects were under consideration
to some extent but as new government
Is in process of formation with the Platt
amendment adopted with certain reserva-
tions. they become vitally interesting.
That the president and secretary Of war
regarded the whole Cuban problem q ser (
ious one was shown in the consultation
today with the senator's who were largely
responsible for the legislation
An impression gained currency that the /
Philippine situation and the effect upon It
Of the supreme court decisions, was the
subject Of the conference today. but this
was denied BY those who participated in
il. The complete opinions Of the court T
have been read and considered with the .
care necessary to arrive at anw fruitful I
result was to their bearing upon the Phil T
ippines.
Washington, May s1.-senators Platt OF +
Connecticut, Lodge OF Massachusetts, and +
OF Indiana. had ar hours con I
SUI 4Lation vita lhes president before the 1
cabinet meeting today. The Cuban situa-
tion was under discussion and the pres
ident was desirous Of obtaining the views
OF these senators as whether the action
Of the oousutuuoasl convention was
Substantial acQuiescence ia the Platt
amendment.
The senator's who talked with the pres
ident say that the whole matter is one for
the executive TO decide as the amendment r
authorizes taa president to rellnquish con-
troll of Cuba when a government has been +
established which Substantially agrees 20
It's terms
The conference relating 70 Cuban affairs
among leading administration officials
and leading members of the United states
At present Il washington have coztilled.
and though no oe1nite determination h-s
been reached there is quite 3 1eri1el
sentiment toward accepting the sczi9n %
the convention IS sussta1ti-l cc1'-
plauce with The terms of tne Flatl amend
men- There IS a graat deal = ails-
IN the way of legislation sa1 i1ierzreta-
ton i- the -crorr u TIE committee ~ re-
.ations. which has been s4loptel a- aa-
va1a. that is wholly unsatisfactorg - rle
president and a1zo - those E1o have
been consulting with him. hlI t1ere e
co earnest desire % reach the best r-
si5le results Cns q the most ocssc---
ao-e features o. the later -el4ti71 e t-e
addition q rne xor-s ssEi1E tAzt tle ac-
aoa - the Unitsd States IS a. aup-
ron a tie Monroe doe.r1zs- it is eu-
-harcan. s1atez4 u some % fh7Ff ral
hare been present - the co-ff7f1c l--
ne 1Ee1-,r doctrine has rarrI-E
ever 20 DO sith tie 6=s- ilteress - ft
people q the is-azd ard ths f-fnrr r1--