New-York tribune., 1901-05-20
RELATIONS WITH CUBA.
THE CONVENTION TO HEAR THE TWO
REPORTS TO-DAY
THE MAJORITY RECOMMENDATIONS CAUSES
SOME SURPRISE IN IIAVANA-WHAT
THE REPORTS SAY

THE REPORTS SAY.
| Havana May 19-The Committee on Rela-
/ tions OF the Cuban Constitutional Convention
/ will submit majority and minority reports to
/ the convention tomorrow.
| THE MAJORITY REPORT
The majority report in an introduction quotes
| Article l of the Treaty of Paris the joint
| resolution of the United States Congress and
| the Patt amendment. and then proceeds as
| follows:
lnasmuch as Secretary Root being authorized
| by President Mckinley, says that the Platt law
| has Tor It's object the guaranteeing of the in
| dependence of Cuba, and does not mean inter-
! ference with its government or the exercise of
| a protectorate or of sovereignty, and also that
! pendence is endangered by outside powers or
| grave interior disturbances, creating anarchy,
| and inasmuch Secretary Root has said that
| the naval stations will not be used for vantage
points OF intervention. but only to protect Cuba
| against foreign powers. we report as follows:
That, in virtue of the fact that the Platt
| law in it's preamble says il is fulfilment OF
| the joint resolution. and has been adopted by
| Congress with the principal object of establish
| ing independence do propose to the
venton to accept the following an appendix
| to the constitution:
| The first. second fourth and fifth clauses of
the Platt amendment are quoted in their
| tirety. The third clause has the following adj
diton
| 1t being understood that the United States
have the right to intervene to prevent the action
| OF a foreign power disturbances causing a
state of anarchy, and that the intervention shall
always he the act of the United States and not
! of isolated agents. The Intervention shall sup
pose neither sovereignty a protectorate, and
shall only last sufficiently long to establish nor
NAL conditions. Said Intervention, il is also
derstood snail not have the right to interfere in
the government, but only the right to preserve
independence.
An addition to the sixth clause says that the
ownership Of the Isle Of Pines shall be settled
by future treaty.
An addition to the seventh clause says:
1t shall be understood that the naval stations
do not give the United States the right to inter
Vene in the interior government, but are estab-
lished with the sole purpose of protecting Amer
lean waters from foreign invasion directed
against Cuba or the United States. Cuba will
sell or lease the necessary land at points TO be
agreed upon later.
An addition to the eighth clause says that the
government of Cuba suggests at the time
a treaty Of commerce based upon reciprocity.
THE MINORITY REPORT.
The minority report says
The explanations given to the commission in
Washington show that the Platt law does not
express the wishes OF the United States. 1t
was intended TO protect the independence of
Cuba. but the wording gives other interpreta-
tions.
The United States inconsistent in asking
naval stations when the amendment provides
that no concessions shall be given to foreign
powers Such a demand raises the question
whether the United States do not consider Cuba
a part of their possessions.
The report Of the minority virtually accepts
the first and second clauses. For the third
clause the following is substituted:
That the government of Cuba subscribes to the
Monroe Doctrine and will help the United States
10 enforce II against other nations trying to vto-
late IL.
For the fourth clause the following is substi-
tuted:
Cuba does not recognize acts of Intervention
which are (not?) in conformity with the Foraker
resolution and the laws OF the country.
The seventh clause reads:
Cuba will maintain naval stations. handing
The report OF the minority recommends com
mercial treaty based upon reciprocity.
COMMENT ON THE REPORTS.
The report of the majority has caused con
siderable surprise. 1t was generally believed
that the Committee Relations would recon-
mend acceptance OF the Platt amendment on the
basis of the Interpretation given by Secretary
Root. but it was not expected that such add--
ttons would be made to various clauses as the
majority recommend. y prominent Cuban law
yer said to-day:
The majority report is not an acceptance of
the Platt amendment it distinguishes inter-
person who is in close touch with the Span
ish Government made the following statement
TO a representative of The Associated Press:
1t is II fact. TO which the attention of all Amer
leans should be called. that not only Spain but
Spanish residents in Cuba--both those who have
retained their Spanish nationality by inscrip-
tion ana those who have become Cubans by not
inscribing-are closely watching DEVELOPMENTS
in this matter of the relations between the
United States and Cuba. This is a question
which seems 10 involve more than the Platt
amendment merely 1t seems to tend ultimately
toward annexation
Spaniards here and in Spain favor annexation
Not only do they fear that any government by
Cubans controlled by the United States
also favor annexation because they believe it
would restore the Spanish influence in politics
because with the alliance they would make
with the former AutonomiStS, the conservative
Cubans and the Americans who belong here
they would control the politics of the island by
an overwhelming majority.
This condition would meet with the approval
Of Spain because In her commercial relations
with Cuba she would he benefited by the pre-
ponderance OF Spanish influence. Spain has
great influence In South America, and is trying
to maintain her influence in Cuba. The only
solution of the problem is annexation Span
ards will not become Cuhans but they are
ready to become citizens of the United States
All the SDaniardS in Cuba and the couserya-
tive Cubans desire that the Platt amendment
should not be accepted. hoping that in such an
nexatlonist view of the relations between the
United States and Cuba. Indeed. some OF our
most prominent Spanlards and Cubans have
gone far approach Governor
Wood to tell him that the most conservatives
and American solution of the present problem
would he the rejection of the Platt amendment
and to urge that the United States should take
special notice OF the situation In order TO see
desire hos,