The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-28
Promise Not to Limit Their own In
dependence or Give Any Foreign
Power Foothold I'm Cuba.
RECIPROCITY is PROPOSED
WITH TENDENCY TOWARDS FREE
TRADE In CERTAIN PRODUCTS.
All Acts of This Government to BE
Recognized VaIid-Cuba Not
Ready for Independence.

HAVANA, Feb. 27.-The constitutional
convention remained IN session until 3
o'clock this morning, completing the work
of drawing up the clauses in the Constitu-
tion referring to the relations between Cuba
and the United States. A public session
was held this afternoon to sign the follow
ing resolutions, which have been adopted:
"F'irst-The government of Cuba will not
make treaty or agreement with any for
eign power which may compromise or limit
the independence of Cuba or which may
by means Of colonization or for military
or naval purposes, or in any other manner,
any foothold right or authority over
any portion of Cuba.
''Second-The government will not permit
It's territory to be used as a base or opera
tions for war against the United states or
against any foreign nation.
Third-The government OF Cuba accepts
in its entirety the treaty of Paris, in which
are affirmed the rights of Cuba to the ex-
tent of the obligations which are explicitly
indicated, and especially those which Inter-
national law imposes for the protection or
life and property, and substitutes itself for
the United States in the pledge which they
assumed in that sense according to Arti-
cles IL and is of the treaty of Paris.
"Fourth-Cuba recognizes as legally valid
all acts of the military government during
the period of occupation. also the rights
arising out of them in conformity with the
joint resolution and the Foraker amend
ment and the existing laws of the country:
"Fifth-The governments OF the United
States and Cuba ought TO regulate their
commercial relations by means of a treaty
based on reciprocity and with tendencies
towards free trade in natural and manu-
factured products. mutually assuring am
pie special advantages in their respective
markets"
The scheme of relations was publicly ap-
proved this afternoon by the convention.
For two hours previous to the public meet
ing an executive session was held to draw
up preamble and revise the report of the
special committee. Another vote was then
taken on the preamble and the scheme of
relations. only three dissenting. the same
who had dissented at the meeting this
morning. Senor Giberga and Senor Quliese
favored the adoption of the scheme of rela-
tions recommended by the United States
Senate committee. Senor Cisneros opposed
this. .he ground that Cuba was inde-
pendent and should not enter into any
scheme of relations with the United States.
The preamble sets forth the receiving of
a letter from General Wood outlining the
wishes of the Washington executive regard
ing future relations. 1t asserts that the
convention understood the Gesire of the
executive to be to bring about these speci-
fed relations, with the object of preserv-
Ing the independence of Cuba, and that
suggestion as to the naval stations vas
made on those lines. ''But this in ITSELF"
the preamble goes on to say. would mill
tate against the independence which both
parties desire to preserve"
Regarding the other conditions unchanged
for preserving independence. such as rails
ing loans, the preamble points out that
these are fully covered by the Constitu-
ton. which document, in the opinion of
the convention, amply protects independ-
ence, including liberal laws as to the rights
Of foreigners and individual rights.
Regarding the sanitary question the pre-
amble declares that the future government
should make arrangements with the United
States TO protect that country as well as
Cuba. The convention clearly implies that
its action would not bind the future gov
ernment, for the last part of the preamble
reads: "The convention considers that re-
lations might exist If the first government
under the republic thinks 1t advisable"