The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-02-28
THE CUBAN QUESTION
CONVENTION HEDGES ON NATTER
OF RELATIONS.
PROGRAMME ADOPTED.
BUT DOES NOT BIND THE FUTURE
GOVERNMENT.

Will Hardly De Satisfactory to Uni-
ted States-Granting of Naval sta
tions Would Militate Against Gu
ban Independence-Agre Not to-
Make Objectionable Treaties with
Foreign Powers or TO Permit Cubn
to BE Used nv n Base of Operations
Against United Statex-Acceptx
Treaty of Paris and Its obligations
and Asks for Comm rciaI Treaties.
Havana Feb 27.--The Constitutional
Convention remained in sess. on until
o'clock this morning. completing the work
of drawing up the clauses In the consti-
tuition, referring to the relations between
Cuba and the United States The fol-
lowing relations were adopted:
First. The government of Cuba will
not make "a treaty or agreement with any
foreign power which may compromise or
limit the independence of Cuba, or which
may permit or authorize any power TO
obtain means of colonization or for mill
tary or naval purposes, or In any other
manner any foothold or authority, or
right over any portion of Cuba.
Second. The government Will not per-
init it's territory to be used as a base OF
operations for war against the United
States or against any foreign nation.
Third. The government OF Cuba sc-
cepts In its entirety the tr atty of Paris,
in which are affirmed the ghts of Cuba,
to the extent of the obligations which are
explicitly indicated in these. and espe-
cally those which tho international law
imposes for the protection OF life and
property. and substitutes itself for the
init fafA s., fl,.. ,Ia.
assumed In that sense according to Arti-
cles II and 162 of the treaty OF Paris.
Fourth. Cuba recognizes as legally
valid all acts of the military government
during the period of occupation, also the
rights arising out of them. I'm conformity
with the joint resolution and the Fora
ker amendment and the existing laws OF
the country.
Fifth. The governments OF the United
States and Cuba ought to regulate their
commercial relations by means Of a.
treaty based on reciprocity and with ten
denotes toward free trade Ia natural and
manufactured products mutually assur-
Ing ample special advantages In their re-
spective markets"
The scheme Of relations was publislY
approved this afternoon by the conven-
tion. For two, hours previous TO the pub
lie meeting an executive session was
held to draw up a preamble ard revise
the report OF the special committee An
other vote was then taken on the pre-
amole. aud the. scheme of relations, only
three dissenting, the same who bad dis
sented at the meeting this morning. Senor
Giberga and Senor Quiez favored the
adoption of the scheme Of relations rec
commended by the United States Senate
committee. Senor Cisneros opposed this
on the ground that Cuba was independent
and should not enter into any scheme OF
relations with the United States.
The preamble which Is lengthy, sets
forth the receiving Of the letter from Gen.
Wood outlining the wishes of the Wash
lngton executive regarding future rela-
tons. 1t asserts that the convention un-
derstood the desire OF the executive to
bring about these specified re.ahons with
the object of preserving the independence
Of Cuba, and that the suggestion as to
naval stations was made on those lines
But this in Itself" the preamble goes
on to say would initiate against the In
dependence which both parties desire to
preserve"
Regarding the other conditions suggest
ed for preserving independence. such as
raising loans. the preamble points out
that these are fully covered by the con
stitution which document, in the opinion
of the convention, amply protects inde-
pendence, including liberal laws as 70 tho
rights of foreigners and individual rights
Regarding The sanitary question, the
preamble declares that the future govern
ment should make satisfactory arrange.
ments with the United States to protect
that country as well as Cuba.
The convention clearly implies that IT'S
action would not bind the future govern
ment, for the last part of the preamble
reads:
THE convention considers that reia-
lations might exist if the first govern-
ment under the republic thinks 1t advis-
able"