New-York tribune., 1901-02-26
CTBAN POLICY DEFINED.
Plan TO AVOID AN EXTRA
SESSION OF CONGRESS.
TERMS OF WITHDRAWAL STATED IN
AMENDMENT To THE ARMY
APPROPRIATION BILL.
Icy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]


han policy to-day by the introduction in the
senate Of a proposed amendment to the Army
Appropriation bill prescribing the conditions on
,vhich the sovereignty of the United States will
ta withdrawn from Cuba. The amendment is
.ba soint work IF Senator Platt, of Connecticut
and Senator Spooner, Of Wisconsin and was re-
norted TO the Senate from the Committee on Re
Io+,ons with Cuba, with the approval of every
oerober OF that committee, irrespective of politi
col afhliations-a remarkable. If not an unprece-
aanted occurrence, considering the sharp di-
vision Of opinion on party lines which usually
exists on all great questions. The members Of
the committee RepublicaEs-Orvtlle H.
Platt OF Connecticut; Nelson W. Aldrich. of
Rhode Island: Shelby NJ. Cullom, of Illinois:
lanes Mcmillan, OF Michigan; William E.
chandler, of New-Hampshire. and John c.
spooner of Wisconsin.
Democrats-Hernando D. Money of Missis-
sipp. and James P. TaIiaferro. Of Florida.
Silver Republican-Henry NJ. Teller. of Colo
rado.
Populist-Marion Butler of North Carolina.
TEXT OF THE PROPOSITIONS.
The full text of the amendment is as follows:
That in fulflment OF the declaration contained @
,n The Joint resolution approved April 20. 1898,
entitled For the recognition of the independence
Of the people Of Cuba, demanding that the Gov
eminent OF Spain relinqulsh its authority and
government in the island of Cuba, ana Withdraw
i5s land and naval forces from Cuba and Cuban
waters and directing the President of the
TTnited States TO use the land and naval forces
Of the United States TO carry these resolutions
into effect" the President is hereby authorized
10 leave the government and control OF the
island Of Cuba TO its people so soon as gov,
island under a constitution. which. either as a
nsrt thereof or in any ordinance appended there
10 shall define the future relations of the United
States with Cuba substantially as follows:
First-That the government of Cuba shall
never enter into any treaty or other compact
with any foreign power or powers when VIII
impair or tend TO impair the independence of
Cuba nor IN any manner authorize or permit
any foreign power or powers to obtain by coloni-
cation or for military or naval purposes or
otherwise. lodgment in or control over any por-
tion Of said island.
Second-That said government shall not as
sumo or contract any public debt, 10 pay the
interest upon which and 10 make reasonable
sinking fund provision for the ultimate dis
charge Of which the ordinary revenues or the
island after defraying the current expenses OF
government shall be inadequate.
Third-That the government of Cuba consents
that the United States may exercise the right
10 intervene for the preservation of Cuban inde-
pendence. the maintenance Of government ade-
ouate for the protection of life, property and in
dvidual liberty. and for discharging the obli-
cations with respect TO Cuba imposed by the
Treaty OF Paris the United States, now 20
ne assumed and undertaken by the government
C Cuba.
Cuba during its military occupation thereof are
ratified and validated, and all lawful rights ac-
quired Hereunder shall be maintained and pro-
tected.
Fifth-That the government Of Cuba will exc
cute, and, far as necessary, extend the plans
already devised or other plans TO be mutually
agreed upon. for the sanitation OF the cities of
the island 10 the end that a recurrenceof cpl
demic and infectious diseases may be prevented,
thereby assuring protection TO the people ard
commerce Of Cuba. as well as TO the commerce
of the southern ports of the United States and
the people residing therein.
Sixth-That the Isle Of Pines shall be omitted
from the proposed constitutional boundaries of
Cuba. the title thereto left TO future adjustment
Seventh-That TO enable the United States to
maintain the independence Of Cuba and TO pro
tect the people thereof, as well as for its own
defence the government of Cuba will sell or
lease 10 the United States lands necessary for
cOalirg naval stations at certain specified
points, to be agreed upon with the President OF
Eighth-That by way of further assurance the
government Of Cuba will embody the foregoing
provisions in a permanent treaty with the
United States
GRATIFYING TO THE PRESIDENT.
The committees unanimity. no less than the
result Of its work is extremely gratifying TO the
President who will feel impelIed TO call an ex-
ira session Of Congress TO aid him in winding up
the affairs Of this country in Cuba should the
proposition be rejected by this Congress. But
the President is encouraged TO believe that the
way which the Senate Cuban Committee has
provided for the avoidance Of an extra session
will be accepted by both houses of Congress by
vote that viii be marked by many breaches
in the lines OF the opposition, assurances having
been received from a number OF Democrats Of
their intention TO support this well matured
and comprehensive policy OF the Government
toward Cuba.
While Of course there is some danger that
Democratic obstinacy may defeat the measure
through flibustering tactics in the Senate
there is at present no Indication Of an intention
on the part Of the Democratic leaders to resort
10 this method Of foolish and useless ohstruc-
tion. They to realize that the country
would hold them and their party responsible for
any untoward event in Cuba pending the nego-
tlations for final determination of the islands
status, should they take advantage of the OPP
portunity afforded by the rapid approach OF the
close Of the session TO ilibuster and thus force
the President TO call extra session for the
sole purpose OF dealing with the Cuban ques-
non. Ii is therefore thought that for the most
part the Democrats in the Senate will content
themselves with merely registering in formal
manner their protest against the Governments
policy both by speech and vote.
AT the same time there is considerable talk
Tonight OF stubborn organized opposition in
the Senate to the adoption of the Platt amend
menf II this course is adopted finally, the fight
VIII be led by Senator Tillman. of South Caro-
INA, and his Populist ally, Senator Pettigrew, OF
South Dakota. All that Mr.. Tillman is willing
10 say about ii at present is that he will
study the proposition closely tonight, and IL
he finds II is not in accord with his views he
VIII announce his intention tomorrow. AS the
oeDate on the Army Appropriation bill viii be
eohunneo Tomorrow and perhaps the next day.
the South carolinian viii have ample opportu-
nifty 10 air his opinions
GRATIFYING NEWS FROM HAVANA
CuBANs SHOWING WILL In,c.,,r-s, no l.r, At ,,pr