The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1901-05-24
TIE CUBANS ARE DIVIDED
Majority and Minority Reports on
the Plat Amendment Made
to the Convention.
CHANGES URGED IN SOME CLAUSES.
Minority Says United States Ia IncOn-
nistent In Asking for Naval Sta
tions-RecOmm endn u Commercial
Treaty That Shall Bc Based Upon
Reciprocity.

Havana, May 2O.-The committee
on relations of the Cuban constitu-
tional convention will submit major
ity and minority reports to the con-
vention to-day. The majority report
in an introduction quotes Article one
of the treaty of Paris, the joint reso-
luton of the United States congress
and the Platt amendment, and then
proceeds as follows:
"Inasmuch as Secretary Root, being au-
thorized by President Mckinley, says mat
the Plat law has for it's object the guar
anteeing of the independence OF Cuoa ana
does not mean interference with It's gov
eminent. or the exercise of protectorate
or Of sovereignty and also that interview
ton will only take place when independ-
ence is endangered by outside powers or
grave interior disturbances, creating an
archy; and, inasmuch as Secretary ROOF
has said that the naval stations VIII not De
used for vantage points Of 1nterventlon'
but only to protect Cuba against 1orels"
powers, We report as follows:
""rhat, In virtue Of the fact that the
Plat law, in its preamble, says 1t IS a !ul-
flment of the joint resolution ana mas
been adopted by congress with the prlncl-
pal object of establishing independence we
do propose to the convention to accept the
following as an appendix to the coastltu-
ton "
The first, second, fourth and fifth clauses
are quoted in their entirety. the tnlrd
clause has the following addition: 1T be-
ing understood that the United States nave
the right to intervene to prevent the action
of foreign power or disturbances causing
a state of anarchy and that the interven-
ton shall always be the act of the United
States, and not of isolated agents. The
intervention shall suppose neither sover-
eighty nor a protectorate and shall only
last sufficiently long to establish normal
derstood, shall not have the right to inter-
fere 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:
at shall be understood that the naval sta
lions do not give the United States the
right to interfere with the interior govern
ment, but are established for the sole pur-
pose of protecting American waters from
foreign invasion directed against Cuba or
the United States. Cuba will sell or lease
the necessary lands al points to be agreed
upon later"
An addition to the eighth clause says that
the government of Cuba suggests at the
same time treaty of commerce based
upon reciprocity.
The Minority Report.
The minority report says:
''The explanations given to the commits
sion 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 interpretations. The United
States are inconsistent in asking naval
stations, when the amendment provides
that no concessions shall be given to for
eign powers. Such a demand raises the
question whether the United States do not
consider Cuba part OF their possessions
The report Of the minority virtually ac-
cepts the first and secord 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 to enforce it against other
nations trying to violate it,
For the fourth clause the following Is
substituted: Cuba does not recognize
acts Of intervention which are not in con-
formity with the Foraker resolution and
the laws Of the United States"
The seventh clause reads: CUBA will!
maintain naval stations, handing them
over to the United States in time of war"
The report Of the minority recommends
g commercial treaty based upon reciproc-
lily.
Causes Surprise.
The report of the majority has
caused considerable surprise. 1t was
generally believed that the commit