The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-20
Outcome of Committees Delibera-
More Progressive Element.
OPINIONS OF THE SPANIARDS
THEY ARE FIRM ADHERENTS TO
CAUSE OF ANNEXATION.
Fear the Nonsuccess of n Purely Gu.
ban GOvernment-Views of q
Prominent Lawyer.


lations of the Cuban constitutional conven-
ton will submit majority and minority re-
ports to the convention tomorrow. The
majority report, in an Introduction, quotes
Article 1 of the treaty Of Paris. the joint
resolution of the United States Congress
and the Platt amendment, and then pro-
ceeds as follows:
"Inasmuch as Secretary Root, being au-
thorized by President Mckinley, says that
the Platt law has for it's object the guaran-
teeing of the independence of Cuba and
does not mean interference with it's govern
ment or the exercise of a protectorate or of
sovereignty. and also that intervention will
only take place when independence is en-
dangered by outside powers or grave in
terror disturbances, creating anarchy; and,
inasmuch as Secretary Root has said that
the naval stations will not be used for van
tage points of intervention, but only to
protect Cuba against foreign powers. we
report as follows:
THAT, in virtue of the fact that the Platt
law in it's preamble says it is fulfillment
o. the joint resolution, and has been adopt
ed by Congress with the principal object of
establishing independence. we do propose
to the convention to accept the following
Tie first, second. fourth ad fifth clauses
are quoted in their entirety. The third
clause has the following addition:
~ being understood that the United
states have the right to intervene to pre-
vent the action of foreign power, or dis
turbance causing a state of anarchy, and
that the Intervention shall always be the
act of the United States and not of isolated
cI,a1I
nei,ner sovereignty nor protectorate. and
shall only last sufficiently long to establish
normal conditions. Said Intervention. it is
also understood, shall not have the right to
interfere in the government. but only the
right to preserve independence.
An addition to the sixth clause says that
the ownership of the Isle of Pines shall be
settled by future treaty.
THE RIGHT TO INTERVENE.
An addition to the seventh clause says:
1T shall be understood that the naval sta
tions do not give the United States tho
right to interfere with the interior govern
ment but are established for the sole pur-
pose of protecting American waters from
foreign invasion, directed against Cuba or
the United States. Cuba Will sell or lease
the necessary lands at points to be agreed
upon later
An addition to the eighth clause says
that the government of Cuba suggests, at
the same time. a treaty of commerce based
upon reciprocity.
The minority report says: THE explana-
tions given to the commission in Washing
ton show that the Platt law does not ex-
press the wishes of the United States. 1t
was intended to protect the independence
OF Cuba, but the wording gives other inter-
pretations.
THE United States are inconsistent IN
asking naval stations, when the amend
ment provides that no concessions shall be
given to foreign powers. Such a demand
raises the question whether the United
States do not consider Cuba part of their
possessions
The report of the minority virtually ac-
cepts the first and second clauses. For the
third clause the following is substituted:
THAT the government of Cuba subscribes
TO the Monroe doctrine and will help the
United States to enforce it against other
nations trying to violate it,
For the fourth clause the following is
substituted: Cuba does not recognize acts
of intervention which are not in conformity
with the Foraker resolution and the laws
OF the United States
The seventh clause reads: Cuba will
maintain naval stations, handing them over
to the United States in time OF war
The report of the minority recommends
a commercial treaty based upon reciprocity.
NOT AN ACCEPTANCE.
The report of the majority has cause
considerable surprise. 1t was generally
ha
would recommend acceptance of the Plat
amendment on the basis of the interpreta-
ton given by Secretary Root but it was
rot expected that such additions would be
made 10 various clauses as the majority
recommends. A prominent Cuban lawyer
said to-day: The Cuban majority report
Is not an acceptance OF the Platt amend
ment, it distinguishes intervention on
different grounds
A person who is in close touch with the
Spanish government made the following
statement: 1T is a fact to which the at
tention of all Americans should be called.
that not only Spain, but Spanish residents
ir Cuba-both those who have retained
their Spanish nationality by inscription and
those who have become Cuban by not in
scribng are closely watching develop
n.ents in this matter OF the relations be-
tween the United States and Cuba This is
question which seems TO involve more
than the Platt amendment merely. 1t
seems 10 tend ultimately toward annexa-
ton.
''Spaniards here and in Spain favor an
rexation. Not only do they fear that any
government by Cubans not controlled by
the United States would endanger property
and even life but they also favor annexa-
tion because they believe IL would restore
the Spanish influence In politics. because
with the alliance they would make with the
former autonomists, the conservative Gu
bans and the Americans who belong here
they would control the politics OF the island
by overwhelming majority.
This condition would meet with the ap-
proval of Spain, because In her commercial