The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-06-01
Until There Has Been Substantial
Compliance with the Terms of
the PIatt Proposition.
DISAPPOINTMENT AT HAVANA
CONSERVATIVE CUBANS IN DOUBT
as TO THE OUTCOME.
Regret There Has Been n "Misunder-
standing," but DO Not Believe
There Will BE n Change.

WASHINGTON. May 31.-The admins
tration has decided that the action of the
Cuban constitutional convention in accept
ing the terms of the Platt amendment.
with notifications and interpretations of
their own. was not substantial compli
ance with eur terms within the meaning of
the amendment, and Secretary Root will
convey this intelligence to the convention.
The decision was reached at the Cabinet
meeting to-day. The meeting lasted over
an hour and a half and had been preceded
by an hours conference between the Pres
ident and Senators o. III. Platt and
Lodge AS the author of the amendment
the President desired TO learn the views of
Senator Platt, and also those of Senator
Lodge, who is one of the influential men,
bers of the committee on foreign rela-
tions.
At the Cabinet meeting Secretary Root
took the position that the interpretations
of the Platt amendment contained in the
constitution adopted by the Cuban conven-
ton. and whereases appended to it, went
outside of a fair Interpretation of it's mean
ing and was unacceptable. In this view the
Cabinet concurred. When asked as to what
would be the next step of the government
after the Cuban convention had been no
titled of the rejection of its action, of
the members of the Cabinet said the gov
ernment could do nothing further until the
convention again acted; that as long as the
conditions of the Platt amendment were
on the statute books compliance with them
must precede our REIMBURSEMENT of control
over the island.
The Cabinet also discussed the decisions
of the Supreme Court in the insular cases,
especially their bearing upon the forth
coming decision of the court in the Philip
pines case. 1t was the general opinion that
in some phases the De Lima decision might
be applicable 70 the Philippines, but that
in other ways IL might be held entirely in
applicable. The Cabinet. however. was un-
able to reach any conclusions as to the sit
uation. Attorney General Knox will make
a careful examination of the language of
the decisions at once and ascertain their
exact bearing on the tariff between this
country and the Philippines. He then will
state 10 the President and his advisers the
powers now vested I'm the government i'm
dealing with this subject. There was little
discussion OF this matter, owing to the gen.
eral lack or clear understanding as to the
real effect of the decisions Mr. Knox may
report his conclusions ON the subject at the
next Cabinet meeting, and probably also
Will discuss the results of his examination
of the opinions of the court with the Pres
ident individually. Meanwhile discussion
or the need or an extra session is deferred.
as consideration OF the question of an extra
session was regarded as premature at this
time. Members of the Cabinet individually
refrainec from even expressing their per-
sonal opinion as TO the possibility of Con-
gress being convened in extraordinary ses-
sion.
The Cabinet held that the amendments
and interpretations and the wealth of
whereases placed by the Cuban convention
upon the Cuban amendment amounted to a
practical modification of the Platt amend
ment such as was beyond the power of this
government 10 accept. The message of re-
lection sent TO General Wood advises the
Cubans in unqualified language that there
Is no power resting in the United States
government TO change the terms of the
Piatt amendment and that this government
insists on the acceptance OF the Platt
amendment without amendment or aualifi-
cation. The Cuban convention is still in
session and the message of rejection will be
delivered to IL Immediately. The admins-
tration is confident that the Cubans will
understand the exact attitude of this gov
eminent and make a satisfactory accept
ance within a reasonable period
The only other important matter brought
up al the session was a statement by Sec
retary Gage as TO the finances of the gov
ernment. The President and Cabinet have
been away from the city for some weeks
! and Secretary Gage took the opportunity
TO point out that the surplus in the treas
ury Is still mounting upward and that ma
tional financial conditions in general were
very gratifying.
The three main points in which the action
or the Cuban constitutional convention is
regarded as unsatisfactory relate, IL is said
10 coaling stations, sanitation and inter-
vention. The Cuban convention took from
the coal stations paragraphs OF the Platt
amendments. their Obliga tory character
and merely authorized the Cuban govern
ment In its Judgment, 10 allow the United
States 20 possess coaling or naval stations
The United States Will insist on an absolute
agreement TO grant us these coaling sta
tions. With respect 10 sanitation the Gu
bans do not agree to carry out plans al
ready devised and In accepting the Platt
amendment modify its provisions so as TO
change them considerably In the matter
OF Intervention our objection is that the
Cubans have 20 changed this vitality inn
portant part OF the Platt amendment as to
make our right 10 intervene an ambiguous
and doubtful matter, whereas we insist on
straight, uneQuivocal Acknowledgement
of our right 10 intervene when i'm our judg-
ment Intervention is necessary 10 assure
Cuban independence or a stable govern
ment.