The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-28

EeStOn. II Is Dialn tnat Wflle lue CON-
mission has become convinced OF the
benefits to be derived from the adop-
ton of the Platt amendment, the Of
ficials here have also been satisfied that
something must be done to improve
economic conditions in the island.
Yesterday afternoon the commits
sioners held meeting at which the
Platt amendment was discussed, and in
which a document was drawn up set
ting forth the provisions of the amend
ment and as the commission understood
the Administration would construe
them. 1t was urged by Senior Portu-
ondo that the commission should wait
day or two. and submit the document
to the Secretary of War in order, if
possible. to be sure that the commits
sion had understood thoroughly the in
tentions of the present United States
Government toward Cuba.
Regarding the facts in the document
as drawn up there was 10 dispute.
Upon the question 81 submitting it to
the Secretary of War, although that
move was strongly urged by Scnor
Portuondo, there was disagreement, and
it was finally decided that there was
no necessity for the step. The docu-
ment IS. however. codification of all
the information, promises, and eXplana-
tions which the commissioners have re-
ceived since they came to Washington,
and they feel that they have something
which expresses the views of the Ad-
ministratien and something which they
can present to the convention as an in
dication of what the Cubans are to eX-
pect if ,hey agree to adopt the Platt
amendment. The Constitutional Con-
yention will consider the document at
its first session after the commission re-
turns. and the session will be executive,
because, as a member of the delegation
said last night. We don't want to play
TO the galleries.
Senor Portuondo is one of the most
enthusiastic member of the commission
regarding the good results which are
expected to follow from this visit to
the Capital of the United States
1T is as if you had gone fifty feet in
reaching an agreement with the Gu
bans" he said. The Cubans can c,me
the rest of the hundred-almost. There
is only a little difference to be settled
now. If you ask me whether the Patt
amendment as we understand it now
after having had it explained by the
Secretary of War and the President,
will be accepted, / must decline to an
swer, but a great deal has been done.
THE meeting this afternoon will be
., ;.l,
what we think the United States means
by the Plat amendment. If the Secre-
tary OF War approves of our under
standing, then we will be able to go to
the Cubans and say: This is what the
United States means. We want to find
out what will be agreed to by both Gov
ernments. and it may be possible that
we shall get a similar document from
TIE Cubans, showing what they think
is meant by the Platt amendment
THE visit of the commission will be
of the greatest benefit both to the
Americans and the Cubans. There has
been an immense amount of misunder-
standing among the Cubans of what
the United States meant by the amend
ment. l canno. say if, as we under
stand il will be construed, Il will sat
isfy the Cubans. but the explanation
which we have had here VIII help much
toward making il acceptable.
Il fear that, exactly as it is drawn,
and exactly as the United States means
to apply it, it will never be adopted.
There is still great deal of oppcsi-
tion To the interference clause, and es-
pecially to the clause about the reten-
tion by the United States of the Isle
of Pines-that seems to us to be per-
fectly preposterous.
we have learned, however, since we
have been here that the optimistic way
of understanding the Platt amendment
is the right way. We used to pooh
pooh the people who advocated its
adoption, when they said that ii would
not be used to hurt us: but now we
see that ii never will. We know now
that the Americans will see only the
right side. and we have assurances
from all the officials al the head of the
Administration that Cuba will not suf-
fer an injustice at the hands of the
United States"
1t was not generally understood that
the amendment would not interfere
with the absolute independence of the
Cuban Republic; but now we are told
by the President that Cuba will be
recognized as an independent power
That. of course, pleases us immensely.
If the United States wants a coaling
station-provided she does not want to
exercise sovereignty over it-she can
have it.
Cuba win. on the other hand, give
every assurance that she will never al
low herself to be used as base of op-
erations against the United States. The
Cubans viii not allow any other nation
10 use them ia any way, and will fight
TO protec. the rights of the United
States. Cuba viii always stand as the
patrol and the sentinel of the Carib-
bean Sea in the interest of the United
States For this reason it seems that
the request of the United States for
power TO intervene is hardly necessary
After the United States has recognized
our independence. then it can have any
thing 1t chooses. / will not say an
nexation-but practically everything.
The whole aspira ton of the Cuban peo-
pie has been for independence. Give it
10 them and they will be satisfied"
The commission spent the morning
visiting the President and Secretary Of
War, the Assistant Secretary OF War