Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-06-08
CUBA MUST ACCEPT
The Plat Amendment Without
Change Is the Decision
Vi president and Cabinet, Before Ary
Change in Her Status.
senator Plat Secs Nothing to Prevent Cuba's
Ultimate Independence.

Washington. June 1.-The cabinet wns
III session over two hours today, discuss |
ms the Cuban and Philippine situations
n communication has been received from
governor General Wood regarding the
prospect for the unconditional acceptanc.
OF the Flatt amendment but its contents
are not made public. 1t can be stated.
however. that there is a hopeful feeling
IN administration circles that after the /
iirst soreness wears off the convention
VIII see the wisdom of adopting the terms
or the amendment. The answer to Gen
eral Wood Is to be sent and the language
of that communication was under d sens
sion.
Secretary Root has been in communi-
cation with Gen. Wood regarding the sit
uation in Cuba and was axle to. inform
the cabinet. today, concerning the i'm
preston which Gen. Wood las of the
feeling of the delegates to the const'tu-
tional convention. While no new propo-
sltions have yet been submitted. it Is
probable that the convention will not ac-
ccpt the Platt amendment outright until
another proposition has hccn made to this
government. The administration is fully
determine! that the Cubans must acccp.
the Plat amendment without qualifica-
ton before there can be any change in
the status of Cuba.
The program looking to the establish
ment of civil government in the Phi,iD-
pines is being formulated IL the snare OF
an order which is to be PROMULGATED
shortly. 1t is said that there is no del
mite conclusion as TO whether powers of
the civil administration will be exercised
| under the general war powers of the
| President or the authority vested in him
by the Spooncr amendment. That. how
ever, is considered matter of detail
The main point is that the civil admin
istration which will be confined largely
to the municipalities, will lie vested in
the head of the TAFT commission and
such other officials as may be designated.
| and that they will exercise their functions
| subject to the direct authority Of the sec
Rotary of far to whom all reports Will be
made.
Civil administration under military SUI
pCrviaion such as is contemplated, is said
not to be analogous and the civil govern
| mcnt in New Mexico and the Southern
states during the early stages of the re-
construction period are pointed to as he
ing substantially analogous to what is
proposed in the Philippines.
Durinl; the conference between Satrcta-
~ Root and the Cuban commission, the
secretary wrote a letter to Senator Plat
of Connecticut. who introd iced the Ilttt
amendment asking for his views relative
TO Intervention as mentioned in the third
clause Of the amendment. Senator Piatt
replied and his letter WAS furnished the
commission coniideutially by the sccrota-
~ of war and was Incorporated into and
1,
PIa;t amendment ny the constitutional
| convention. The letter. howcVcr. appear
ed in Havana paper and, today. wa5
made public by the war department.
| Tie following is the text Of Senator
! Platt's letter to the secretary Of war:
Il am in receipt OF your letter Of this
date. In which you sag that the members
of the commission of the Cuban constitu-
| tionaI convention fear that the provisions
relative 20 intervention. made In tn" third
| clause OF the amendment which has come
to bear my name. may have the effect o!
| preventing the independence of tuha and
in reality establish Il protcctoratc or 81
zcrainty by the United States. and you
request that | cxOrc:s ny views of III"
question raised.
! I'm reply | beg to state that the
l
| the object of avoiding any possible idea
| that by the acceptance thereof the con
| stitutional convention would thereby cs-
| tablish protcctoratc or sIzcraintT. or IN
iauv manner whatsoever compromise the
| INDEPENDENCE or sovereignty Of cuba.
ard. speaking for myself. It seems impo2-
! sibIc that such an Interpretation can Lc
| given to the clause.
| Il believe that the amendment should
| be considered as whole and il ought to
be clear on reading it that It's wcl-dciiile
| purposc is to secure and safeguard Cuban
! indcpcndercc and set forth at once a
| clear idea of the friendly disposition OF
| the United States toward the cuD;.n poo
| pie and the express intention on their
| part to aid thCm. If necessary. in tn
| maintenance of said independence.
| These are my ideas. and. although. 4
| YOU say, | cannot speak for the entire
| Congress, my belief is THAI such pnr-
| pose was well understood by that no X.
| Very respectfully yours.
| 20. H. Piatt."