New-York tribune., 1901-04-30
SURE OF INDEPENDENCE.
GENERAL PoRTUoNDo SPEAKS FOR THE
CUBAN COMMISSION.

STUMBLING BLOCK REMOVED By THE CON
FERENCE WITH THE PREsIDENr-TALK OF
PALMA FOR HEAD OF CUBAN REPUBLIC
I am sure the United States will grant us
independence, that Washington will soon an
nounce to the world that Cuba is a sovereign
power and that Cuba will indeed be A nation on
the next February 24"-(General Portuondo. of
the Cuban commission to Tribune reporter.
From a statement made yesterday by General
Rafael Portuondo, of the five Cuban Com
missioners now in this city, much of the mystery
which has surrounded the mission of the delega-
ton to this country is dssipated. The COM
missioners have since their arrival here main
tained the closest secrecy regarding their con-
ferences with President Mckinley and other
high officers at Washington, and they have here
tofore met all questions to what message they
are taking back to their countrymen with eva
sive answers
When pressed for statement. however. yes
terday afternoon, General Portuondo at last
said
"A great stumbling block has been removed.
That is all l care to say"
What stumbling block to you mean, Senor?"
was asked.
Section 3 of the Platt amendment" was the
answer. Then. after some deliberation, he added;
Let me tell you, so that you will under
stand" Here the Cuban paused moment, as
if revolving some weighty question in his mind
Then he continued:
The Cubans have been afraid of your armies.
They fear what some call imperialism. Now. in
Section g. | think. of the Platt amendment it
is provided that the United States may send
troops into Cuba whenever in the opinion OF
Washington such action is necessary. This pro-
vision awakened widespread suspicion. Many
said that it was only pretext for the United
States to continue a standing army in Cuba Tor
all time. The presence of soldiers. and especial
ly those of another people. cannot but be oner-
Gus and dscomfting to
Others said that although the United States
might withdraw her forces now she could, under
this provision Immediately send them back
again This then, was stumbling block It
was perhaps magnfed in the eyes of the COM
mon people. and they demanded that If these
suspicious well founded such a measure
should not receive our sanction.
But President Mckinley soon assured us that
these suspicious groundless. When we
said that by this provision the United States
had more jurisdiction over Cuba than over any
one of its own States, because in the latter case
l understand the national government cannot
send troops into State without the permission
Gentlemen. you need have fear. Troops
will not be sent into Cuba unless conditions are
little less than anarchy
The Presidents answer so convinced us that
we could not but be impressed with his sim
cerity"
How do the Cubans feel in regard to indie
pendence?" was asked
''Ninety-ntne per cent of our people" the gen-
erai answered. want independence. They will
not even listen to annexation They want in
dependence absolute independence. Now. do
not mean that the Cuban people are not disposed
to give the Americans everything that they, the
Americans will need for their own defence. 1
tell you that II the question of independence is
settled and all differences on the subject are
eliminated. everything else can be arranged"
What do you mean by independence? Does
not each State Of the United States have in
dependence?" the reporter asked.
BY independence L mean sovereignty. We
want to regulate our own international affairs
But our preferences will be for America. to help
and support her in case of need"
Were there not many other questions
bodied in the Platt amendment which you dis
cussed with the PRESIDENT"
Yes. There are many things In the Platt
amendment which we came here to learn about;
but these will be arranged later"
How about the selection and granting of
coaling statons?"
las to these l cannot say. Such questions will
be left to the constitutional convention at Ha-
vana."
Are you sure, then, that the United States
will grant Cuba its desired independence"
Yes l am sure And [ believe that Wash
ington will soon announce TO the world that
Cuba is a sovereign power, and that Cuba will
indeed be nation by February "a 1902"
What recommendations will you make to
the convention your return"
That is to be determined way home
from this port We will, of course, report what
have learned. / do not know how the others
feel exactly, but for myself L shall urge
the convention to accept the Platt amendment"
The commissioners spent the most of their
time yesterday in each going his individual
way. Three of them were guests of General
Brooke for luncheon at Governors Island Later
a conference was called at their rooms. in the
Fifth Avenue Hotel, where all five commission
ers received T. Estrada Palma. the head Of the
Cuban Junta in this city during the war.
Before the meeting had ended a report was
current that the commissioners had asked Cen
eral Palma If he would accept the Presidency
of the republic.
The general left the meeting abruptly at Z
o'clock for his home, in Central Valley and
could not be
Senor Capote, chairman Of the commission.
when asked if the report was true, said: I'VE did
not talk politics to any great extent. That is
all / care to say"
The commission expects to visit the Stock
Exchange morrow. They will leave the city
tomorrow on the Ward Line steamship Havana
THE NEW-YORK CONES IN.