Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-05-20


tions.
HAVANA, May 19.-The committee
on relations of the Cuban constitu-
tlonal convention will submit majority
and minority reports to the convention
tomorrow. The majority report, in an
introduction, quotes article one of the
treaty of Paris, the joint resolution of
the United States Congress, and the
Platt amendment, and then proceeds as
follows:
lnasmuch as Secretary Root, being
authorized by President Mckinley. saws
that the Platt law has for its object
the guaranteeing of the independence of
Cuba, and does not mean interference
with its government or the exercise of
protectorate or of sovereignty. and
also that Intervention will only take
place when independence in endangered
by outside powers or grave interior dis
turbanceS, creating anarchy; and, in
asmuch as Secretary Root has said
that the naval stations will not be used
for vantage points of Intervention. but
only to protect Cuba against foreign
powers, we report as follows:
That, in virtue of the fact that the
Platt law, in its preamble, says it is a
fulfillment of the joint resolution and
has been adopted by Congress with the
principal object Of establishing indie
pendence, we do propose to the conyen-
ton to accept the following as an ap-
pendix to the constitution"
The first, second fourth and fifth
clauses are quoted in their entirety. The
third clause has the following addition
1T being understood that the United
States have the right to intervene to
prevent the action of a foreign power
or disturbances causing state of an
archy, and that the intervention shall
always be the act of the United States,
and not of isolated agents. The inter-
vention shall suppose neither sover-
eighty nor protectorate and shall only
last sufficiently long to establish nor
NAL conditions. Said intervention, it is
also understood, shall not have the
right to interfere in the government,
but only the right to preserve indie
pendenee."
An addition to the sixth clause says
that the ownership to the Isle of Pines
shall be settled by a future treaty.
An addition to the seventh clause
says:
1T shall be understood that the ma
val stations do not give the United
States the right to intervene in the in
terror government but are established
with the sole purpose of protecting
American waters from foreign invasion
directed against Cuba or the United
States. Cuba will sell or lease the
necessary land at points to be agreed
upon later"
An addition to the eighth clause says
that the government OF Cuba suggests
at the same time a treaty of commerce
based upon reciprocity.
The minority report says:
The explanations given to the com
missioners in Washington show that
the Plat law does not express the
wishes of the United States. 1t was in
tended to protect the independence OF
Cuba. but the wording gives other in
terpretations.
THE United States are inconsistent
in making naval stations when tLs
amendment provides that no conces-
sions shall be given 10 foreign powers
Such a demand raises the question
whether the United States do not con-
slider Cuba a part of their possessions.
The report OF the minority virtually ac-
cepts the first and second clauses. Fer
the third clause the following is substi-
tuted:
That the government of Cuba sub
scribes to the Monroe doctrine and will
help the United States 10 enforce it
against other nations trying TO violate it.
For the fourth clause the following is
substituted:
Cuba does not recognize acts Of inter
vention which are nor in conformity with
the Foraker resolution and the laws OF
the country"
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
commercial treaty based upon reeiproc-
ity
The report of the majority has caused
considerable surprise II was generally be-
lieved thai the committee on relations
would recommend acceptance Of the Plat
amendment on the basis of the interpreta-
ton given by Secretary Root, but ii was
not expected that such additions would be
made 10 various clauses as the majority
recommend A prominent Cuban lawyer
said to-day:
THE majority report Is NOT an accept.
auce Of the Platt amendment. as il dis
tinguishes Intervention on direren,
grounds
Annual Meeting Held.
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