New-York tribune., 1901-02-01
THE FUTURE OF CUBA.
NOVEL AND PERPLEXLNG
PROBLEM.
srxaToR O. II. PLATT SAYS CONGRESS
r.NNOT AMEND THE ISLANDS
ANTEEs SUGGESTED.
rEY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuxE.I

,--.rt,g+on Jan 31.-Senator Orville II.
=. ~ connecticut. chairman 81 the Commit
:, Relations with Cuba, does not share the
%, that Congress can do as ii pleases with
~. r,,ban Constitution when that instrument
.u- reaches the legislative branch OF the
,,..-nr,ent through the hands OF the President.
~, man IN public life has given more serious
..,,on 70 the Cuban question than has Sena-
= p,ett He has not only studied IL from the
.,,t ~ view Of q legislator, but has visited
-. IN his oeicial capacity as chairman OF the
,-,i++ee 10 which all matters affecting the ISL
- ,ta, arise IN Congress are referred. and has
..,,ss with all sorts and conditions OF Cubans.
!, discussing to-day with The Tribune corre-
.nonsent the question Of the power Of Congress
ever cuba. MI Platt said:
In nv view Of the question. Congress has not
.be mower 10 deal directly with the Cuban Con-
e.i,u,ion That instrument, when finally COM
,lsted and adopted by the regularly authorized
to5, formed hy proclamation or the executive
authority of the United States TO frame a con-
-ti,,Ytion cannot be brought before Congress
- 5e,V making mower Of this Nation-and dealt
With as n 80 were d bill to be enacted into law.
nv conclusion therefore, Is that We can neither
approve. reject nor in any way amend or modify
the Cuban Constitution by act OF Congress why,
fbe Supreme Court has explicitly and unequiV-
ocaIv declared that Cuba is a foreign country.
This has been our contention all along. Cuba,
lish her own government without let or him
dranee But II should be borne in mind that
this Nation secured freedom for Cuba by set OF
Congress authorizing the President 10 intervene
with the Army and Navy OF the United States.
That fact gives the United States certain rights
and privileges IN Cuba. and establishes mutual
obligations which may he defined. in a way or
through a channel yet 10 he determined. For
instance, Congress may, ] think, declare upon
what terms and conditions military occupation
OF Cuba shall cease and in doing that might eX-
~ n hos srfsa y-uv,-
tees Of our future relations should be embodied
IN its Constitution.
Further than this Senator Platt declined TO
express his views at this time for publication.
A majority member Of the Committee on Re
lstions with Cuba. who for obvious reasons does
not wish his name 10 be used when the fore
going interview with Senator Platt was shown
10 him and he was asked for an Interpretation
in detail Of some Of the general and somewhat
veiled statements said that while he agreed IN
the main with the chairman Of the committee.
still he was not so positive as the Connecticut
Senator seemed ~ he that Congress was power
less to do anything Of direct and legal char
Reter. "To my mind said this Senator what
Mr.. Platt means by the phrase guarantees Of
future relations that should be embodied in
the Cuban Constitution is that when the Pres-
dent submits that instrument 10 Congress we
stituton by inserting in il four provisions OF
paramount importance TO this country as well
10 Cuba" He then stated these four prop
ostions 10 he:
First-A permanent naval base FOR the United
States.
second-The right permanently 10 maintain
military garTisOns in the island.
Third-Control by the United States OF all the
public debts and credits Of Cuba
Fourth-The right OF this country 10 control
al foreign treaties made by Cuba.
The point is dwelt upon strongly that the
propositions enumerated should he embodied in
the Constitution Of Cuba-the organic Law Of the
island-so that this country's protectorate can
never be menaced by political agitators or the
mutations of parties IT is believed that with
relations established on this basis, Cuba soon
would ask for annexation 10 the United States
Or II il should not seek, full fellowship this
country's interests. as well those OF Cuba,
would he secured and safeguarded for all time.