New-York tribune., 1901-04-29
PRICE THREE CENTS.
CHANGE IN CUBAN VIEWS.
CAUSES WHICH LED DELEGATES TO
FAVOR MKINLEYS POLICY.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1BUSE.l

lBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBCSE-l
Washington. April 2s-Snce the departure Of
the five commissioners representing the Cuban
Constitutional Convention it has been learned
that their suddenly formed determination to
leave Washington due to the fact that they
received assurances that effort would be
made to annex Cuba to the United States
long as the present elements which dominate
the politics of this country are in control. and
provided further that the Constitutional Con-
vention at Havana accepts the Platt amend
ment at the earliest practicable date.
AS stated by The Tribune last Saturday, the
Cuban commissioners on the day before had sig
nified their acquiescence in the provisions OF the
Platt amendment after that instrument had
been fully explained to them by the President.
the Secretary of War, Senator Platt, of Con-
necticut Gts author). and Senator Spooner. of
Wisconsin we'll as by several Democrats or
distinction, including Senator Cockrell. of Mis-
souri, Their next concern was to learn what
were the ultimate intentions of the United
States with regard TO Cuba. and to get at this
they chose to discuss the islands Industrial
future affected by the fiscal policy which the
new government adopt. The visitors dwelt
with more emphasis than did those TO whom
they talked upon the Importance of establishing
reciprocal trade relations with the United
States. This naturally led TO the conclusion that
Cuba cannot stand alone economically and that
her dependence upon the United States is quite
as marked in that regard as it is politically.
SURPRISE AT REPUBLICAN POLICY
From this point the discussion ranged to the
question to whether not under the terms
Of the Platt amendment, based. that law Is.
upon the much vaunted Teller resolution dis
claiming this country's intention ever to 'exer-
else sovereignty and control in Cuba" the island
could or would be annexed to the United States
informed that the Platt amendment had been
so framed and phrased to make anti-annexa-
ton the policy of the Republican party In
other words the Platt amendment, when ac-
cepted by the Cuban Constitutional Convention.
will serve another and potent factor IN de-
veloping American colonial policy.
This policy was barely hinted at in a speech
delivered last night by Senator Albert J. Bev-
eridge at the Grant memorial dinner at Des
Mones 1t was also briefly outlined in a
Tribune dispatch from Washington last Thurs
day. This dispatch was based upon state
ment made to The Tribune's correspondent by
a high official who next to President Mckinley
has been more influential than anybody else in
shaping the administrations colonial policy TO
date
The Cubans were told that the annexation Of
their island has been Democratic policy ever
since the days of Jefferson, and their attention
was called TO the fact that it was under Demo-
cratic auspices that the sensational Ostepd
manifesto of half a century ago was issued
Their attention also called TO the fact that
If the opportunity had been auspicious at any
time in the last hundred years the Democrats
when in control Of this government would have
found an excuse for annexing Cuba 10 the
|. United States and thus forever shattering the
dream of a Cuban republic. The Cubans now
understand that the Democratic policy still is
for annexation under the alluring promise of
Statehood. in spite. of the solemn pledge TO the
world contained in the Teller resolution. about
which the Democratic leaders in both houses Of
Congress had so much to say during the dis
cussion which preceded the adoption OF the
Platt amendment this winter
TO URGE AMENDMENTS ADOPTION
When the Cuban Commissioners were able TO
comprehend the situation as thus described to
them they realized for the first time that there
is no danger of their country being annexed
and "assimilated'' to the United States as lous
as the PIatt amendment is law OF this land.
with the most binding features OF that insrru-
ment as parts of the Cuban constitution This
revelation so completely allayed their fears that
they felt free TO return TO Havana and earnest
" recommend to the convention the immediate
adoption of the Platt amendment in its entirety.
Before returning home they thought it best 10
visit New-York. and there learn from the men
most directly interested in the maintenance of
this Governments present tariff policy what can
he expected for the Cuban sugar and tobacco
nroducts in the trade Of the United States.
Before they left Washington they received as
surances that Cuba's plea for preferential tarlfr
rates on sugar and tobacco viii receive re-
snectfuI consideration here when the reiations
between the two countries such that that
s,biact can he adequately treated by the proper
authority. which is Congress; but pending the
settlement of this and other economic questions
the Cubans must elect officers and organize their
own independent government under the terms
Of the PIatt amendment. They will probably
boIa their general election next October. and
before the first session of the next Congress ad-
iourns at washington, in the spring or summer
q, 1902 their government, il is hoped, VIII be
e,,,v aouinped. and running so smoothly that the
President will feel justified in Withdrawing all
United States troops from the island and turn
ing Cuba wholly over TO the Cuoans-
UNIQUE NATIONAL STATUS
rhs, their status will be unique In the history
~ nations. Cuba will be an independent SOW
ereignty-a republic-with the assurance OF this
countrv,s constant and permanent guardianship
This will make il unnecessary for the republic
of Cuba to burden itself with the cost Of
army and navy for the United States guard
ian will safeguard Cuba from foes both foreign
and domestic For this purpose the United
States will maintain adequate naval stations
ON the island and will also keep troops in readi-
ness for service in Cuba for the suppression OF
revolutions and other uprisings. This form Of
guardianship will not interfere with the devel-
opment of Cuban institutions in harmony with
Latin ideals. In other words. the island will