New-York tribune., 1901-02-28
CUBAN FOREIGN RELATIONS.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION ADOPTS
THE SCHEME-NOT BINDING ON
FUTURE GOVERNMENT.

Havana. Feb 21-The scheme Of Cuban
foreign rel. tons publicly approved this
afternoon oy the convention. For two hours
previous to the public meeting an executive ses-
sion was held to draw UP preamble and revise
the report Of the special committee. Another
vote was then taken the preamble and the
scheme of relations. only three dissenting-the
same who had dissented at the earlier meeting.
Senior Giberga and Senor Quez favored the
adoption Of the scheme of relations recon-
mended by the United States Senate committee.
Senior Cisneros opposed this the ground that
Cuba was independent and should not enter into
any scheme of relations with the United States.
The preamble which is long. sets forth the re-
ceiving of the letter from General Wood out
lining the wishes of the Washington executive
regarding future relations. II asserts that the
convention understood the desire of the execu-
tive to he to bring about these specified rela-
tions with the object of preserving the indepen-
dence of Cuba, and that the suggestion as to
naval stations made on those lines
But this in itself" the preamble goes on TO
say. would initiate against the Independence
which both parties desire to preserve"
Regarding the other conditions suggested for
preserving independence, such raising loans
the preamble points out that these fully
covered by the constitution. which document, in
the opinion Of the convention. amply protects
independence including liberal laws to the
rights OF foreigners and individual rights.
Regarding the sanitary question. the preamble
declares that TIE future government should
make satisfactory arrangements with the United
States TO protect that country as we'll Cuba.
The convention clearly implies that its action
would not bind the future government, for the
last part of the preamble reads
The convention considers that relations might
exist if the first government under the republic
thinks it advisable"
The clauses of the constitution referring to the
relations between Cuba and the United States
follows:
One-The government of Cuba will not make
a treaty or agreement with any foreign power
which may compromise limit the Independence
of Cuba which may permit or authorize any
power 10 obtain by means Of colonization for
military or naval purposes. or in any other man
ner, any foothod or authority. or right over
any portion Of Cuba.
Two-rhe government viii not permit it's ter
ritory to be used as a base of operations for war
against the United States against any for
eign nation.
Three-The government Of Cuba accepts in its
entirety the Treaty of Paris, in which are af-
firmed the rights of Cuba. to the extent Of the
obligations which are explicitly indicated in
these. and especially those which the interna-
tCnal law imposes for the protection Of life and
property substituting itself for the United
States in the pledge. which they assumed in
that sense according to Articles u and 162 Of
the Treaty of Paris.
Four-Cuba recognizes as legally valid all acts
OF the military government during the period of
occupation. ais" the rights arising Of them in
conformity with the joint resolution and the
Foraker amendment and the existing laws of the
country.
Fve-The governments of the United States
and Cuba ought to regulate their commercial
relations by means Of a treaty based on reci-
procity. and with tendencies toward free trade
in natural and manufactured products. mutually
assuring ample special advantages in their re-
spective markets.