Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-02-28
LATEST CUBAN P.
Senate Attempts to Avert
Extra Session,
THE GOVERNMENT POLICY DEFINED
Matter to BE Covered In an Amend d.
ment to the Army Bfll-The
President IL EmpOw-
cred to Act.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26.-Thc rca
struggle for insular legislation ut thi
session began yesterday in the senate
The army appropriation bill was under
discussion, and the Philippine amendment
was reached. In addition the Cuba
amendment was offered and the genera
debate on these propositions began
The amendment to the army appropria-
tion bill gives the president power to
act on the Cuban constitution when it il
received without the approval Of con.
gress. 1t is understood that the terms
of the amendment are satisfactory to
the different parties in the senate and to
the president.
Senator Platt of Connecticut presented
the amendment to the senate. 1t reads:
THAT in the fulfillment of the declara.
tion contained in the joint resolution ap
proved April 20, 1903, entitled, For the
recognition of the independence Of the
people Of Cuba demanding that the gov.
ernment of Spain relinQuish its authority
and government in the island Of Cuba
and to withdraw its land and naval
forces from Cuba and Cuban waters and
directing the president Of the United
States to use the land and naval forces
of the United States to carry these reso-
lutions into effect the president is here
by authorized to leave the government
and control Of the island of Cuba to Its
people as soon as government shall
have been established in said island un-
der a constitution which, either as n part
thereof or in an ordinance appended
thereto. shall define the future relations
of the United States with Cuba substan-
tally as follows:
'First.-That the government of Cuba
shall never enter into any treaty or 9TH
er compact with any foreign power or
powers which will impair or tend to i'm
pair the independence Of Cuba nor in
any manner authorize or permit any for
eign power or powers to obtain by colo
nization or for military or naval purposes
or otherwise lodgment OF control over
any portion of said island.
"Second.-That said government shall
not assume or contract any public debt
to pay the interest upon which and to
make reasonable sinking fund provision
for the ultimate d ~ hsrxe &C which the
ordinary revenues of the island after
defraying the current expenses of gov
ernment shall be inadequate.
"Third.-That the government Of Cuba
consents that the United States may ex-
ercise the right to intervene for the pres
ervation of Cuban independence, the
maintenance of government adequate
for the protection of life, property and
individual liberty and for discharging the
obligations with respect to Cuba imposed
by the treaty of Paris on the United
States, now to be assumed and under
taken by the government Of Cuba.
"Fourth.-That acts OF the United
States in Cuba during its military occu-
pancy thereof are ratified and validated.
and all lawful rights acquired Hereunder
shall be maintained and protected.
"Fifth.-That the government OF Cuba
will execute and as far as necessary eX
tend the plans already devised or other
plans to be mutually agreed upon for the
sanitation Of the cities Of the island to
the end that recurrence Of epidemic and
infectious diseases may be prevented,
thereby assuring protection to the people
and commerce Of Cuba as we'll as to the
commerce of the southern ports Of the
United States and the people residing
therein.
"Sixth.--That the Isle Of Pines shall be
omitted from the proposed constitutional
boundaries of Cuba. the title thereto be-
Ing left to future adjustment by treaty.
"Seventh.-That to enable the United
States to maintain the independence OF
Cuba and to protect the people thereof,
as well as for its own defense, the gov
ernment Of Cuba will sell or lease to the
United States lands necessary for coaling
or naval stations at certain specified
points to be agreed upon with the presi-
dent Of the United States.
"Eighth.-That by way Of further as
surance the government Of Cuba will en-
body the foregoing provisions in u pern,a-
nent treaty with the United States"