New-York tribune., 1901-06-01
CUBAN TERMS REJECTED.
INSISTS ON AMEND
MENT WITHOUT MODIFICATION.

Washington May 31-The administration has
decided that the action of the Cuban Constitu-
tionaI Convention in accepting the terms of the
Platt amendment with notifications and inter-
pretatons of its own was not substantial"
compliance with the terms within the meaning
of the amendment
This decision was reached at the Cabinet meet
ing to-day. The meeting lasted over an hour
and half and had been preceded by an hours
conference between the President and Senators
Platt. of Connecticut. and Lodge. of Massachu-
setts. At the meeting Secretary Root took the
position that the interpretations of the Platt
amendment contained in the constitution adopt
ed by the convention and the clause appended TO
it went outside OF fair Interpretation of its
meaning and were not acceptable. The Cabinet
concurred in this view
The measure of rejection 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 Platt
amendment. and that this government insists on
the acceptance of the amendment without quail
fcation The Cuban convention is still in ses-
sion and the message of rejection viii be deliv-
cred to 1t Immediately.
The administration is confident that the Gu
bans will understand the attitude of this gov
ernment and make satisfactory acceptance
within reasonable period.
To AWAIT CONVENTIONS ACTION.
When asked as 10 what would be the next step
OF the government after the Cuban convention
had been informed of the rejection of its action
one of the members said that the government
could do nothing further until the convention
again acted and that as long as the conditions
of the Platt amendment were the statute
books compliance with them must precede re-
linquishment of control over the island
(Nva nst IONA IA faafr Of .
Cuban Interpretation is the addition of the words
saying that the action of the United States Is
ampIifcatioa of the Monroe Doctrine IL Is
emphatically stated by some of those who have
been present at the conferences that the Monroe
Doctrine has nothing whatever to do with the
present situation in Cuba 1t is stated that the
earnest desire of the President is to retire from
Cuba at the earliest possible moment con-
sistent with the best interests Of the people of
the island and the future relations between the
new government and the United States.
The three main points. however. in which the
action Of the Cuban Constitutional Convention
is regarded unsatisfactory relate. it is said,
to coaling stations. sanitation and intervention.
The Cuban convention took from the Coaling
stations paragraph of the Platt amendment its
obligatory character. and merely authorized the
Cuban Government, in it's Judgment, to allow
the United States TO possess coaling or naval
absolute agreement to grant these coaling sta
tions With respect to sanitation the Cubans
do not agree to carry out plans already devised,
and in accepting the Platt amendment modify
'ts provisions so as 10 change them considera-
bly, In the matter of intervention the objection
is that the Cubans have changed this vitality
important part OF the Platt amendment TO
make our right to intervene ambiguous and
doubtful matter. whereas this country insists
lob unAouiyOCal ACKNOWLEDGMENT of
the right to intervene when. in this nations
Judgment. intervention is necessary 10 assure
Cuban independence stable government.
Senators Platt. of Connecticut Lodge. of Mas
sachusetts and Fairbanks of Indiana, had
hours consultation with the President before
the Cabinet meeting to-day. The President was
desirous of obtaining the views of those Sena-
tors as to whether the action of the Constitu-
tional Convention "substantial' acquies-
cence in the Platt amendment.
PHILIPPINE QUESTION DEFERRED.
The Cabinet was unable TO reach any conclu-
sions as TO the Philippine tariff situation, as af-
fected by the recent insular decisions of the
Supreme Court Attorney-GeneraI 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 Presi-
dent and his advisers the powers now vested in
the government in dealing with this subject.
There was little discussion of this matter.
ing to the general lack of 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 President. Con-
sideration of the question of extra session
was regarded as premature
The only other important matter brought up
al the session was statement by Secretary
Gage as to the finances OF the government The
President and Cabinet had been away from the
city for weeks and Secretary Gage took
the opportunity 10 point out that the surplus