The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-05-20
PLATr LAW NOT POPULAR.


THE explanations given to the commits
mission in Washington show that the
Platt law does not express the wishes or
the United States. It was intended to
protect the independence of Cuba, but
the wording gives other interpretations.
1.-THE United States is inconsistent In
asking naval stations, when the amend
ment provides that concessions snail he
given to foreign powers. Such a de-
mand raises the question whether the
United States does not consider Cuba
part of their possessions"
The report of the minority virtually &C
cepts the first and second clauses. F,of
the third clause the following Is subsE-
tuted:
"That the government of Cuba sub
scribes to the Monroe doctrine ana VIII
help the United States to enforce IL
against other nations trying to Violate II:
For the fourth clause the following Is
substituted:
"Cuba does not recognize acts OF inter
vention which are not in conformity
With the Foraker resolution and the
laws Of the United States.
The seventh clause reads: CUBA VIII
maintain naval stations, handing thehl
over to the United States IN time OF
war"
procity.
The report of the majority has caused
considerable surprise. It was generauy
believed that the committee on relations
would recommend an acceptance OF the
Platt amendment on the basis of the in
depreciation given by Secretary Root, but
it was not expected that such additions
would be made to various clauses as the
majority recommend.
MAJORITY REJECT PLATTIsM.
A prominent Cuban attorney said to-
night: The majority report Is not an
acceptance of the Plat amendment as
it distinguishes intervention on different
grounds"
A person who is in close touch with
the Spanish government made the fol-
lowing statement to a representative or
the Associated Press: "It is a fact to
which the attention of all Americans
should be called that not only Spain,
but Spanish residents in Cuba-both
those who have retained their Spanish
nationality by inscription and those who
have become Cuban by not inscribing-
are closely watching developments in this
matter Of the relations between the
United States and Cuba. This is a ques-
ton which seems to Involve more than
the Platt amendment merely. 1t seems
to tend ultimately toward annexation.
SpanlardS mere and IN Spain FAVOR an
neXation. Not only they fear that any
government by Cubans not controlled
by the United States would endanger
property and perhaps life, but they also
favor annexation because they believe
it would restore the Spanish influence
in. politics, because with the alliance
they would make with the lautonomists,
the conservative Cubans and the Ameri-
cans who belong here they would con-
troll the politics Of the island by an over
whelming majority.
ANNEXATION IS DESIRED.
This condition would meet with the
approval of Spain because in her COM
mercial relations with Cuba she would
be benefited by the preponderance Of
Spanish influence. Spain has great influ-
ence i'll South America and is trying to
maintain her influence IN Cuba. The
only solution Of the problem is annexa-
ton. Spaniards will not become Cubans,
but they are ready to become citizens of
the United States.
"All the Spaniards in Cuba and con-
sentative Cubans desire that the Platt
amendment be not accepted, hoping In
that case the Americans will take
more anneXationist view in regard to
the relations between the United States
and Cuba. Many Spaniards and Cubans
have even gone as far as to approach
Gov Gen. Wood privately to tell