Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-06-07
IS NOT WARRANTED,
Situation Does Not Require Extra
Session of Congress.
DECISION is MADE BY THE CABINET.
The Spooncr Amendment IL Consid-
cred Ample to Cope with Exist
ing Conditions Regarding
the Philippines.

the Philippines.
Washington. June 5.-The cabinet
Tuesday unanimously decided that ex-
listing conditions do not warrant the
calling of an extra session of congress
this summer. Secretary Root and At
torney General Knox both rendered
legal opinions to the effect that the
authority to govern the Philippines
vested in the president by the Spooner
amendment was ample. These opin-
ions were concurred in by all the
members of the cabinet.
The decision of the cabinet was an
nounced after the cabinet meeting in
the following statement issued by Sec
rotary Cortelyou:
1.-The president has determined that ex-
listing conditions do not require or warrant
calling congress together during the pres
ent summer or making any change In the
policy hitherto pursued and announced in
regard to the Philippine islands"
Tariff to Remain in Force.
1t can be authoritatively stated that
the Dingley rates upon goods from the
Philippines entering the United States
will remain in force as heretofore. The
president will put into effect such
changes in the tariff duties on goods
going into the Philippines as the Taft
commission may recommend. The es-
Enlistment of civil government in
the archipelago can proceed without
interruption as soon as the military
authorities consider the time ripe for
its establishment.
Eject of the Decisions.
The supreme court decisions as
viewed by the administration settle:
First, that the Foraker act is consti-
tutional; second, that the collection
of duties on Porto Rican products
between the time of the cession of
the island of Porto Rico and the pas
sage of the Foraker act was illegal
and must be refunded. These are held
to be the main essential points of
the decisions. Nothing in them is
construed to apply to the tariff stu
alton as between the United States
and the Philippines. The conclusions
of the cabinet are not based on any
knowledge as to the prospective Phil
ippine decision of the supreme court,
though it is declared there is little
apprehension as to the findings of
that decision. If the present system
is upset in that decision, which is not
anticipated, there will be little diff
Guilty. it is believed, in refunding the
amounts meantime collected under
protest.
Was Rejected by Root.
Washington, June 5.-Inside infor-
nation concerning the action of the
Cuban convention on the Platt amend
ment has just been received in Wash
ington. 1t appears that the first
draft of the amendment, as interpret
ed by the majority of the committee
on relations with the United States
was submitted to Gen. Wood and b.
him sent to Washington. This draf
was approved by Secretary Root ant
his approval was made known to the
Cuban convention When the matter
came up for discussion, however, i,
was found that there were number
of delegates whose votes eould only be
obtained by the extended alterations
amendments and Interpretation
which finally were adopted by the con
vention and rejected by Secretar,
Root.
1t is stated officially that the peopl
Of Cuba believed at first that the Plat
amendment had been adopted ant
that they were satisfied. Such was thu
belief of the people of the United
States until the draft of the adopted
amendment was received here. The
belief is expressed in official circles
here that the Cuban people as a whole
are perfectly satisfied with the Plat
amendment and it will finally be
adopted.
To Have Civil Government.
Abont the first Of next month full
civil government will be set up il
the Philippine islands, exactly as pro
jccted by the Philippine commissions
AS soon after that date as an admin
istrative machinery can be mad,
ready for it the new Philippine tariff
vill be proclaimed, also following ou
the original plan formed before the
supreme court last week. Secret ary
Root has had little doubt at any tims
since the courts action of the feast
fotlity of continuing the execution o
the Philippine programme without vi
.olating any of the principles enunci
ated by the court, and his study o
the courts opinions was mainly t
make sure that he had not overlooke
anything in the decisions that nigh
qualify that belief on his part. II
has not found in any of the decision
delivered by justices anything t
shake his original idea, and has s.
advised the cabinet. Attorney Gen
eral Knox, after an independent con
sideration of the decisions, was o
the same mind. SO thc original pro
gramme will be carried out. The at
xorney general submitted to the cat
snet Il very elaborate review of tn
supreme court decisions with his cor
ciusions thereon.
The Plan.
AS to the legal status of the il
lands. the officials have nothing t
say; but. while reserving full libel
81 10 meet any legal attacks as ma
&c thought best. the general state
saent is snade that the exercise of at
shortly in the Philippines is to be b
virtue of the supreme power repose