Evening star., 1901-05-31
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Cuba's Acceptance Not Considered
Satisfactory.
RESULT OF CABINET DISCUSSIONS
Must Adopt PIatt Amendment
Without Modification.
TO NOTIFY GENERAL WOOD

Cuba will be notified that her acceptance
of the Platt amendment is not satisfactory
and that the convention will have to adopt
the amendment without Interpretation
other than that found in the words Of the
| various clauses. The constitution of Cuba
must have as part, or as an ordinance
appended thereto, a definition Of the future
relations to exist between the two coun-
tries substantially as laid down in the
Platt amendment.
Decided at Cabinet Session.
This attitude of the administration was
decided upon at the session of the cabinet
today. At this session the proceedings in
detail Of the Cuban convention were pre-
sented by Secretary Root, together with
the fun definition placed upon the future
relations of the two countries. The con-
vention interpreted several important por-
tionS of the amendment to suit its own
ideas; III fact. changed entirely the mean
ing and wording Of the amendment in par
ticulars too numerous to be agreeable
There would have been no objection to an
occasional change of language where 1t
was Objectionable but the distinct under
standing with the delegates who came here
was that the spirit of the amendment could
not be changed.
Notifications Much Involved.
II is stated by cabinet members that the
notifications of clauses are much involved
at times, and that it is necessary to read
| many pages of the text Of the acceptance
to understand just what the convention
wants. The whole thing bears evidence Of
political juggling to suit the various par
ties.
The cabinet had no information as to
whether the Cuban convention will be will
ing to again act upon the amendment, but
there was no disagreement in the admin
iStratiOn view that until the convention
does accept the amendment in a Substan-
tial way the position of the Omitted States
in Cuba will continue just as 1t is now.
To all intents and purposes the acceptance
of the amendment is no further advanced
now than 1t was before the Cuban dele
gates came here some time ago to confer
with the President and Secretary of War.
statement to be telegraphed to General
Wood. This statement will be precise
as to leave to the Cubans nothing but the
acceptance or rejection of the amendment
Porto Rfcan DecisiOn Referred To.
The Supreme Court decision as to Porto
Rico was naturally referred to at the cab
met meeting, but the understanding was
quickly reached that the decision does not
so closely and Immediately touch the tariff
relations with the Philippines as to cause
any notifications in the tariff rates now
IN 1Orce with the 1Slan0S.
1t is the republican program, however to
have Congress take up the subject Of the
Philippines soon after that body meets in
December, and adopt permanent laws en-
bracfng tariff system for the islands,
thereby conforming to the spirit Of the de-
cision of the court that Congress has the
right to fix tariff duties of it's own liking
The President and cabinet members agree
that the Philippine case presents features
different from that handled by the court
from Porto Rico. The Supreme Court will
not pass upon the case for some time, and
If decision is handed down before Con-
gress meets, the lapse between then and
the period when Congress can act will be
short.
Conference Before Cabinet Meeting,
Before the cabinet met this morning
there was a conference of an hour regard
ing Cuban relations, the subject of the
Philippines. in the light of the recent Porto
Rican decision Of the Supreme Court, be-
ing likewise under consideration. With the
President were Senators Platt Of Connecti-
cut, Fairbanks and Lodge Senator Platt
Of New York had called upon the Presi-
dent early in the morning, but did not re-
main for the conference. The Cuban sit
uatfon was considered of SO much more
Importance than the Philippine tariff that
the latter did not occupy much Of the time
Yesterday afternoon there was also a con-
ference, those with the President being
Secretary Root, Senator o. H. Platt and
Senator Spooner.
There was a decided disposition not to
handicap the Presidents action by sug-
gestfonS as to the outcome, the senator's
declaring that the law places in the hands
of the chief executive full power to deter
mine when Cuba has complied with the
conditions imposed by the Platt amend
ment. At the same time the impression
was most strongly left that the action of
the Cuban convention is unsatisfactory
n ha p1rSf
amendment without reservations or COM
pllcating interpretations before the Presi-
dent can take steps to establish an inde-
pendent government.
Regret was expressed that the Cubans
should have undertaken to place embar-
RAISING interpretations upon clauses of the
amendment and upon conversations had
with their representatives who visited
Washington more than a month ago.
The Monroe Doctrine.
There is a great deal of addenda in the
way of explanation and Interpretation that
is unsatisfactory to the President, aud also
to those who have been consulting with
him. One Of the most Objectionable fea-
lures OF the Interpretation is the statement
that the action Of the United States is an
amplification of the Monroe doctrine.
1t is emphatically stated by some Of those
who have been present at the conferences
that the Monroe doctrine has nothing what
ever to do with the present situation in
Cuba. Spain's possession of the island was
three hundred years old before there was a
Monroe doctrine, and that doctrine applied
only to governments which it was proposed
to organize by European powers.
The Incorporation of Secretary Roofs
statements to the Cuban commissioners is
another feature which is unsatisfactory to
the administration. There may be a differ
ence of opinion hereafter as to what was
said and a different understanding could
easily arise. The additions and amend
ments to, the Platt law are regarded as
complicating the situation.
Cannot Go to Massachusetts.
President Mckinley told Senator Lodge
this morning that he would not be able to
keep any of the engagements made to
visit Massachusetts this summer unless il
be to attend the commencement exercises
OF Harvard on June 20, at which time
degree will be conferred upon the Presi-
dent. This decision of the President Is
wholly Cue to the condition of Mrs McKin-l
ley's health. Most of the engagements ir,
Massachusetts were three or four weeks
off, but the physicians have decided that
Mrs Mckinley must have absolute quiet
and rest ft1fC suYynuoar r. hrs aEoEYs~Y..s-