New-York tribune., 1901-05-20

! his unlettered followers this subject. 1t Is
pointed out here that if Gomez represented any
other element than the one described there
might be cause to apprehend long struggle in
the convention over the Platt amendment III
is known. however that since this countrys
aims and purposes We're fully and frankly
explained to the visiting delegation OF Cuoans
by the President. the Secretary of War and
other high officials of the government. the only
substantial objection to the Platt amendment
from the Cuban standpoint based on an
economic and not on a political ground In
other words the Cuban commissioners returned
TO their posts thoroughly satisfied two vitally
important points. One was that the Platt
amendment not sinister misleading in
any of its provisions but also that the Platt
amendment guarantees the Independence and
sovereignty of Cuba in perpetuity.
The most convincing evidence, however which
the visiting Cubans secured while in Washing
ton was that the Platt amendment was not
partisan measure, but an expression of the hxed
national policy which participated in by
both the great parties Congress.
With full knowledge Of these facts to re-
port to the Constitutional Convention. it is not
considered in Washington at all probable
that the delegates who recently were here couid
fail to impress upon the great majority of their
colleagues the wisdom and Importance of ac-
cepting the Platt amendment in its entirety as
soon as practicable or as reasonable
assurances could be received that the economic
questions involved would be dealt with in a
spirit of nberality by this country. That as
surance formally was vouchsafed for the first
time last week by Senator Platt. Of Connecticut,
author OF the Platt amendment and chairman
of the Senate Committee Relations with
Cuba
In an interview which a Tribune representa-
tive had with Senator Platt in Washington last
week the Senator said that he believed some
reciprocity arrangement. mutually satisfactory
and beneficial TO both countries could be made
as soon as the Cuban government was organized.
1t is not believed that this assurance was given
to the Cuban delegates while they were here. for
the that at that time Senator Platt and
the other leaders in Congress were not certain
that the next Congress would favor reciprocity
with Cuba 1t is thought that since then suff-
cient number of members of both houses have
been sounded the subject with satisfactory
results and that the Secretary of War already
has instructed GOyernOT-General Wood to in
form the Constitutional Convention at Havana
that the next Congress will authorize reciproc-
ity treaty with Cuba if the Cubans by that time
have government with which this government
deal. This will remove the last obstacle IN
the way of the Platt amendment, and therefore
it is confidently believed that the convention Will
ratify il at early date-perhapS this week
When the followers of CualbertO Gomez learn
that until the Platt amendment is accepted the
Cubans cannot hold their first general election
and organize government. and that the Presl-
dent cannot withdraw the United States troops
from the island. il Is thought that even they
will demand the immediate acceptance OF the
amendment.