Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-05-29
WOULD AMEND AMENDMENT.
cuban Constitutional COmmi ssfOners
l. Submit Majority and Minority
Reports to the Convention.

Havana, May 21.-The committee on
relations of the Cuban constitutional
convention submitted majority and
minority reports to the convention
Monday 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:
"1nasmuch as Secretary Root being au-
thorized by President Mckinley, says that
the Platt law has for it's object the guar
anteeing of the Independence of Cuba and
does not mean interference with it's gov
or of sovereignty, and also that interview
ton will only take place when independ-
ence is endangered by outside powers or
grave interior disturbances, creating an
archy; and, inasmuch as Secretary Root
mas said that the naval stations will not be
USED Tor vantage points. of intervention,
out only to protect Cuba against foreign
powers, we report as follows:
Inat, In virtue of the fact that the
f!att law, In Its preamble, says it is full
nllment of the joint resolution and has
been adopted by congress with the princi-
pa object of establishing independence, we
40 propose to the convention to accept the
tiOn.'"
The first, second, fourth and fifth clauses
are quoted in their entirety. The third
clause has the following addition: 1T be-
ing understood that the United States have
the right to intervene to prevent the action
OF foreign power or disturbances causing
state of anarchy and that the interven-
ZION snail always be the act of the United
States, and not of isolated agents. The
intervention shall suppose neither sover-
eighty nor protectorate and shall only
last sufficiently long to establish normal
conditions. Said intervention, it is also I'M
oerstood, shall not have the right to inter-
1ere In the government, but only the right
TO preserve independence"
An addition to the sixth clause says that
the ownership of the Isle of Pines shall be
settled by future treaty.
An addition to the seventh clause says:
lit shall be understood that the naval sta
tlons 90 not give the United States the
right to Interfere with the interior govern
ment, but are established for the sole pur-
pose of protecting American waters from
foreign invasion directed against Cuba or
the united States. Cuba will sell or lease
the necessary lands at points to be agreed
upon later"
An addition to the eighth clause says that
the government of Cuba suggests at the
same time treaty of commerce based
upon reciprocity.
The minority report says:
The explanations given to the commits
sion in Washington show that the Platt
law does not express the wishes of the
United States. 1t was intended to protect
the independence of Cuba, but the wording
gives other interpretations. The United
States are inconsistent in asking naval
stations, when the amendment provides
that no concessions shall be given to for
eign powers. Such demand raises the
question whether the United States do not
consider Cuba part OF their possessions"
The report Of the minority virtually ac-
cepts the first and second clauses. For the
third clause the following is substituted:
THAT the government of Cuba subscribes
to the Monroe doctrine and will help the
United States to enforce it against other
nations trying to violate it,"
For the fourth clause the following is
substituted: Cuba does not recognize
acts of Intervention which are not in con-
formity with the Foraker resolution and
the laws of the United States"
The seventh clause reads: "Cuba will
maintain naval stations, handing them
over to the United States in time of war;
commercial treaty based upon reciproc-
ity.
The report of the majority has
caused considerable surprise. 1t was
generally believed that the commit
tee on relations would recommend
acceptance of the Plat amendment
on the basis of the interpretation
given by Secretary Root, but it was
not expected that such additions
would be made to various clauses as
the majority recommends.