New-York tribune., 1901-02-02
CONGRESS- AND CUBA.
THE POLICY OUTLINED BY
SENATOR PLATT.
sTATESMAN'S VIEWS CORRECTLY
REPRESENT THE ADMINS
TRATI0NS ATTITUDE.
fry TELEGRAPH TO THE TR1BrNz.l

Washington Feb. 1.-The interview with Sen
stor Plat. Of Connecticut, on the subject OF
(,uba. which The Tribune published to-day. fur
,ished a lively topic OF discussion among men,
bers of Congress in both houses and OF both par
,ies Senator Platt has nothing TO add to what
10 said yesterday, although he naturally showed
,opcb interest in the discussion provoked by his
statements His position as chairman of the
committee on Relations with Cuba and his well
known interest in the subject which he discussed
with unusual freedom and franlzness gave pc
c,liar Importance to the Connecticut states
mans utterances. 1t is generally believed that
his views express the Administrations attitude
and purpose toward Cuba, and that the inter
pretation put on his statements by another
member Of the committee quoted by The Trib-
rne hit very near TO the mark of his meaning
THAT is 10 say. the opinion IS widespread that
Senator Platt has correctly outlined the Cuban
,olicv of the Government TO be one Of fatherly
interest partalling of the character Of the
strongest and most complete protectorate IN the
history Of settled international relations.
Tpon one point nearly everybody spoken TO by
The Tribune correspondent was agreed. and that
ss stated by Mr. Platt. is that the Congress OF
she Tinted States cannot deal directly with the
cuban Constitution as If II were a bin intro
auced for the purpose of being enacted into law.
r7ut II is also universally agreed that Congress
ran make the Cuban Constitution the subject OF
very sharp and searching investigation, with the
view Of determining what provisions con-
ta,ned in that instrument which would adjust
permanently and In good faith the relations be-
tvveen cuba and the United States in harmony
with the spirit OF gratitude which should exist
On the one side, and OF solid. substantial inter
est which actually does exist on the other side.
II Is also held almost without exception among
Republicans that IT, after the Constitution is
thoroughly examined by Congress. and the con-
clusion is reached that the instrument is lack
ing in features OF proper friendship for this
country then II Will be within the province OF
Congress TO request In some firm and formal
way that before its final adoption the organic
law OF Cuba be amended so as TO bring the rela-
tons OF she two countries into closer and more
binding obligations.
It is almost safe TO predict that whenever
Congress does take hold OF the subject the re-
suit VIII be something very much like the policy
outlined by Senator Platt. Indeed, it is possible
that within a week official sanction will be given
10 this policy by the Senate Committee Re
istions with Cuba, which, according to state
ment made 70 The Tribune correspondent by
one OF its majority members. VIII hold spe
cal meeting for the sole purpose OF discussing
and probably blocking out general programme
for Congressional action on Cuba for the guild
ance OF the extra session which Il seems is al
most certain 10 be called by the President. In
point OF fact. Mr. Mckinley told several Of his
Senatorial callers to-day that he had about
made up his mind that an extra session would
be necessary In order 10 expedite the establish
ment Of local elf-government and independent
sovereignty IN Cuba.