New-York tribune., 1901-06-11
BETTER NEWS FROM CUBA.
PLATT AMENDMENT LIKELY TO BE
ACCEPTED WITHOUT MODIFICATION.
SECRETARY ROOTS SHARP NOTE HAVING
A SALUTARY INFLUENCE E ON THE con-
STITUTIONAI. CONVENTION
IB1 TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. |

IBI TELEGRAPH TRIBUNE
Washington. June 1O.-At it's meeting to-mor-
the Cabinet sill receive rather encouraging
reports from Cuba Late advices from Gov
ernor-General Wood indicate that two three
members of the constitutional convention who
at first most active and outspoken in their
hostility to the Platt law are now about to
align themselves with the supporters of that
law, and it is strongly intimated probable that
If final vote is reached IN the convention this
week the Platt law, without modification or
qualification. will be incorporated into the con-
stitution of Cuba. The sharp note. the second
on the subject, sent by Secretary Root to the
convention through General Wood last Saturday
has had the desired influence at Havana.
In this note the Secretary of War set forth
plainly and unequivocaly the attitude of this
government firm and unyielding. He admon-
ished the Cubans that not only was there no
authority resting in the Executive Department
at Washington to evade or modify the Platt
law, but also that there disposition to
do so. Furthermore, he curtly Informed them
that until the Platt law was either accepted
or rejected outright there could and would be
no change in Cuba's political status. and that
the island would continue TO be ruled under the
war power of the President. In brief Mr.. Root
told the Cubans. in language that could not be
misconstrued. that this government did not in
it has become evident that the Cuban politicians
tanty antindecision.
This note apparently has made il plain TO the
leaders of the radical party that in the end they
would suffer in power and prestige by being ex-
posed the real and only obstructionists of
Cuban independence and sovereignty. II is said
that General Sanguily. whose incendIary mes
sage TO his constituents on the occasion Of the
adoption by the convention of the Platt law in
modified form is generally regarded the island
joke. is about the only radical who is still
holding out uncompromsingIy against accent
ance.
1t is not expected that al it's meeting to-mor-
row the Cabinet will make any further an
nouncement in respect TO Cuba nor is ii likely
that any news will be given out concerning it's
deliberations that subject. II the contrary
course should be pursued, il Is thought. the
Cuban politicians would construe this as mean
ing an inclination in responsible circles in this
country 20 falter and hesitate. and this might
have as bad an effect Havana at this critical
juncture as an outright declaration that the next
Congress may be induced to modify some of the
provisions OF the Platt lava probability entire
ly too remote 10 be considered.
MAY CONSIDER CUBAN ELECTION LAW.
IL is more than likely that in view of the
changing mood among the constitution makers
at Havana the Cabinet tomorrow will discuss
the form and date of PRONUNCIATION of the cleo
toral law for the first general election and the
organization and equipment of the Cuban Re
public IL is known that both Secretary Root
and Attorney-General Knox have been giving
this phase of the subject considerable attention
in detail in the last few days and before the Sec
retary left Washington for the Buffalo exposi-
tion he and the Attorney General conferred on
this matter at the request of the President.
Before the convention at Havana manifested a
disposition to trife with the Platt law it had
been hoped in Washington official circles that
the Cubans would be ready to hold their first
general election by the last of October or the
first of November next. II the convention con-
forms to the Platt law within the next two or
tentative election plan can be carried out by the
original date. If this should be done. il is be-
lieved that the President. in compliance with the
Platt law, would be able 70 withdraw all Ameri-
can troops from the island soon after the begin
ming of the new year. and that by next spring the
Cuban government will he wholly in the hands
OF the Cubans. In the mean time joint COM
mission representing the two countries
could be formulating some scheme of rec
iprocity. on which Congress could act. and
thus Cuba's serious economic problems would
be far advanced toward solution about the time
the island attained full independence and SOW
ereignty.