New-York tribune., 1901-05-29

Copyright 1901: BY The New-York Tribune)
lBY TO THE TRIRUNE.I
Havana. May 2S-The PIatt amendment was
adopted by the Constitutional Convention this
afternoon by vote Of 15 to II. The casting
vote in favor Of acceptance was given by 4Iendez
Capote, the presiding officer.
knowledge of Cuban political methods is
necessary to understand the close vote. Several
delegates were recorded in the negative who
wanted the report recommending acceptance
adopted They would not have permitted it's
defeat under any conditions. however This
afternoon, when the ultra radicals learned that
Acting Mayor Gener would vote against the
amendment they rallied and sought to precipi-
tate deadlock. Gener. who was until recently
Secretary of Justice is known to favor Amerf-
can relations but the exigencies of the local
political campaign have kept him doubtful The
machinery of his party is in the hands of the
radicals. and their threat to defeat his re-eIec-
ton caused him TO vote in the negative. OF the
aosentees. Ruiz Rivera, who is in Honduras,
favored acceptance. and Bravo Correoso. who
ostensibly was against it. went to Santiago to-
avoid voting None Of the Santiago delegates
were recorded in the affirmative
The discussion this afternoon was chiefly by
Manuel SanguiIy. Conservative. and Senor
Pertuondo, Radical although Salvador Cfsneros
and others took part at times. The debate was
quite bitter the supporters OF the resolution to-
accept repudiating sharply the claim of this
Radicals to be the only friends of free Cuba
The report of the committee which visited
Washington was read in part. and thorough
analysis Of it made
Everything done was in secret session Thirty
or forty people were the largest number who
at any time were gathered in the vicinity OF the
convention hall. The scene was quite earnest
during the voting. and when the announcement
Of acceptance was made the delegates who had
supported it applauded vigorously. Gualberto
Gomez. Salvador Cisneros and others OF the
minority embraced ono another dramatically
after the Latin fashion. Some of them also
rushed TO the doors and shouted excited mes
sages. General Lacret sent a telegram to his
constituents saying that the convention had
adopted the Platt amendment and murdered
the independence Of Cuba Others of the ultra
Radicals sent similar kilograms. These are
meant for home consumption.
While few of the delegates who voted in the
negative still bitter. moss of them accept
the situation gracefully. Some violent diatribes
in newspapers may be expected, but one which
has been most pronounced in advocating re-
sistance will tomorrow declare in favor of CO.
operation OF all elements in making the action
of the convention effective, and others will fall
into line Havana has been expecting the out
come and is entirely tranquil. This is true OF
the rest of the island, except possibly some parts
of Santiago.
After voting this afternoon the convention
adjourned without fixing a tiale for resuming
sessions. 1t Will be called together probably the
first of next week TO adopt an electoral law
under which the constitution is TO be put into
operation. In the mean time the proceedings
taken to-day will be laid before General Wood
and by him transmitted to Washington.
The exact terms of acceptance have not been
fully understood in the United States. especial
" since the revised and modified report the
basis of the conventions action to-day As it
stands. the Constitutional Convention has adopt
ed appendix to the constitution which it for
mally adopted in February last. This appendix
gives the terms of the Platt amendment and a
summary in concise form of interviews with
Secretary Root and his Interpretation of the
legislation of Congress. IL also quotes the let
the letter from the Secretary of War on the
same subject, as having the value of an official
document. and then states in very clear terms.
article by article, the conventions interpreta-
tion. All these matters were discussed to-day,
and much stress was laid on the preciseness
with which the Cuban Interpretation is forrnu-
lated.
The final article in the appendix is pledge
that the Republic of Cuba will propose a rec
iprocity treaty. Commercial interests are high
Iy gratifed that this pledge is Incorporated into
the acceptance of the Platt amendment.