New-York tribune., 1901-02-11
CUBA'S FINANCES.
WHY THIS GOVERNMENT SHOULD CON
TROI. HER DEBT MAKING POWER.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

lBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNEJ
Washington. Feb. 1O.-Press reports of the
progress of the Cuban Constitutional Convention
are generally regarded in Administration circles
as fully iustifying the unofficial contention that
this Government should control the finances or
the debt making power of Cuba The press re-
port from Havana to-day said that yesterday
the Convention had adopted by large majority
the first article Of Section %, but that Senors
Giberga and Sanguly argued in favor OF leav-
ing the question 10 future legislation, saying
they did not believe in tying the hands of th@
republic in the settlement of just claims. as
such action might lead international oomph-
cations" II was further stated that the opinion
Of the majority of the delegates was that the
Treaty Of Paris provided for peaceful settle
ment of claims"
The full text of the first article of the twenty
third section of the Cuban Constitution. as sent
t. Washington. is as follows:
The Republic of Cuba does not recognize nor
will not recognize any debts compromises
contracted prior TO the PRONUNCIATION Of the con-
stitutiOn. From the said prohibition are ex-
ccpted the debts and compromises leglumately
contracted for in behalf of the revolution from
and after February -. 1S95, by corps COM
manders of the Hberating army until --. on
which the Constitution of Jimaguayi pro-
mUlgated and those which the revolutionary
governments contracted either by themselves
or their legitimate representatives in foreign
he CLASSIFIED by Congress, and which body shall
decide to the payment If those which in its
judgment are legitimate
II is pointed out that this section does not
repudiate the huge bonded debt made "A charge
on the revenues Of Cuba by Spain in the last
days Of Spanish sovereignty in the island II
deals mostly with debts contracted by persons
claiming to represent one or more Of the various
revolutionary governments which have had
real or nominal existence in the island in the
course Of the last twenty years or more The
insstence OF this Government IS that for their
own protection the Cubans must insert in their
constitution a clause repudiating outright the
stupendous debt unjustly imposed by Spain, and
then, in order 70 make assurance doubly sure,
a companion clause must be inserted vesting
in the United States supervision and control of
Cuba's public debts The fact that two in
fluential members of the convention at Havana
opposed the adoption Of an expression SO mild
and vague as that contained in the twentythird
section and that too. on the plea that all these
questions should be left 10 future legislation,
is generally accepted here as indicating plainly
that influences are already Al work TO force
upon the Cuban Government when finally or
ganized recognition in some form ~ the bonded
debt left by Spain
Indeed. il is openly charged that Tesourceful
and determined representatives. OF the French
Constitutional Convention met. working ener-
geticalIy and adrctly a scheme of settle
ment What they have accomplished is not
known, unless the contention made by Seniors
Giberga ard Sauguily can be construed as evil
denCe that a good start already has been made
By the foreign bondhOlders 10 reap a rich har-
vest from the Cubaas on compromise OF The
debt. No member OF Congress is willing 10 see
Cuca saGd.ed wiki hts enormous cebt =. -..ch
Senator Frye a member OF the Paris Peace
Commission. saws is nearly SIOOoOOOoO, and
would crush the Cubans before they scarcely
had taken a place among the Independent SOW
ereignties Of the world. Not even the Demo
Gratis and Populsts, who profess violently 70 be
opposed 10 the suggestion that this Government,
through Congress or some other medium assist
The Cubans IN framing their constitution, are
wilI-g 20 say that the new republic should be
exposed 10 the danger Of being sacdled with this
debt
In spite Of this. however. II seems almost GER
tain that whatever programme may be brought
before Congress at this session with a view OF
relieving the situation in Cuba OF its worst en-
Gratis OF the Senate and their allies. even 20 the
extent of hlihusterinR in the closing days Of the
session. II is suggested as a bare possibility
that a way may be found out OF the present
difficulty by the appointment OF a joint com
mittee of Congress 10 go 10 Havana and pre-
vail upon the constitution makers to put into
their organic law the recognition which II rs
generally agreed that this Nation should
ceive and also the other clauses heretofore men
toned which would establish close relations
between the United States and Cuba on en-
during basis. However, this is only vague and
seriously considered by the leaders of thought in
Washington. and It probably emanates from
sources that are uncompromisingly opposed TO
an extra session Of Congress