New-York tribune., 1901-02-08
PRICE THREE CENTS.
RELATIONS WITH CUBA.
GUARANTEES THAT NAY BE
DEMANDED.
THE QUESTION WILL PROBABLY COME
BEFORE CONGRESS- SOON IN A
RESOLUTION FROM SENATOR
o. Fl. PLATT'S COMMITTEE.
IBy TELEGRAPH To THE rRrBUNE.I

O. III. PLATTS COMMITTEE.
Inv TELEGRAPH To THE TRrBUNE.I
Washington. Feb. lit is more than likely
that the Cuban question will be brought before
Congress IN formal manner within the next
few days As heretofore intimated in The Trib-
une. resolution. probably emanating from the
Senate Committee on Relations with Cuba. will
be introduced setting forth the demands of this
country for specific recognition in the Cuban
Constitution that is now in process of formation
at Havana Just what propositions will be en-
bodied in the resolution is not now known. al
though it is generally believed they will follow
closely the suggestions made in The Tribune by
various Republican Senators. including Chair
man Platt. of Connecticut and other members
of the Committee on Relations with Cuba. A
summary Of the various propositions may be
stated about as Senator Chandler gave them to
The Tribune yesterday. thus:
First-Guarantee of protection 10 life and
property Of Spaniards resident in the island
Second-LawfuI and binding pledge not TO
recognize the bonded debt Spain attempted TO
fasten upon Cuba during the last days Of Span
ish sovereignty.
Third-R Reimbursement in part 70 the United
States for the cost of the Spanish war.
Fourth-A coalng station and naval base for
Fffth-ControI by the United States of all for
eign treaties made by the Cuban Government
There would be little doubt of the adoption
by Congress at this session OF a resolution en-
bodying the foregoing propositions for incorpo-
ration in the Cuban constitution. although 1t
would encounter stubborn opposition from the
Democrats and their allies. who for the most
part stoutly contend that this Government has
no right 10 make such demands upon Cuba and
no legal power to enforce them. There is also
a small though influential group of Republican
Senators opposed to the programme, but for a
reason quite apart from that of the Democrats
and POpulsts. Conspicuous among this group is
Mr.. Beveridge. of Indiana. who is an outspoken
advocate of the annexation of Cuba without
further parIey or negotiation. Senator Bever-
idge persistently declines to exploit his views at
this time in an interview. although II is under
stood that his opposition to the proposed reso-
luton is based on the belief that all the en-
barrassments attending the discussion of
the Cuban question is due mainly to a surreit Of
resolutions already adopted by Congress on the
subject and the fear that any resolution that
might at the present time be adopted would fall
| short of the actual and ultimate requirements
| of the situation In other words. those who
| think Senator Beveridge does are satisfied 20
let the Cuban question remain as il is until II
can be considered by the next Congress at it's
regular session.
The advocates of the resolution idea hold that
by the adoption of their method the necessity
which the President perCeives to be pressing
upon him for calling an extra session of the new
Congress will be removed, as they would thus
empower the President to force into the Cuban
constitution that recognition OF this country's
relations which nearly all Republicans insist
should be accorded in the organic law Of Cuba
1t is pointed out that the President would be
justified in this course by the proclamation of
the Military Governor of the island convening
the Constitutional Convention. and also by the
decision of the Supreme Court in the NeeIy case
1t is that in that decision the Supreme
Court declared Cuba be a foreign country
but the courts written opinion also was repIets
with quotations from the Presidents messages
with regard to Cuba together with liberal ex-
tive orders regulating affairs in the island. The
decision calls attention TO the fact in effect that
this country is in Cusa trustee and that IL
is its duty to laid and direct" the Cubans in the
organization and equipment of a government
At the time. il is still considered doubt
full that the President would feel relieved OF the
necessity of calling extra session even II the
resolution suggested should be unanimously
adopted by Congress- II is known that the
President earnestly desires to have Congress
share with him the work and responsibility OF
determining Cuba's final status. and though he
is aware that the legislators are eager to re-
turn to their homes after the expiration OF the
LVIth Congress-, nevertheless ne Is not yet con-
WINGED that the public interests do not demand
their presence In Washington to aid him IN
Strengthening out the tangIe in Cuba