The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1901-06-06
Washington Letter.
Washington, June 8, 1901.

IL Is again up to the Cuban cOnSt1tu-
tional convention, and unless 1t can pro-
Educe more satisfactory answer than it's
amendment of the Platt amendment, an
independent Cuban government is long
ways off. Gen. Wood has been instruct
ed by this government to say to the Cuban
constitutional convention, In kind but
firm words, that its attempt to add all
sorts of things, including a clause about
the Monroe doctrine, to the Platt amend
ment, was regarded in Washington as
childishness, which it would be we'll not
| to repeat; that the Platt amendment
must be accepted as 1t passed congress,
or not at all. The Cubans would do we'll
to be careful, as there is disposition in
administration circles to be impatient
with them, which may not result to their
advantage.
| Secretary Hay has instructed Ambas-
sador Choate to Issue American passports
to two Filipinos in London, who had ap-
piled for them and been refused, and the
department of state Is now preparing a
general letter of instructions to all U. s.
| ministers to all residents of our island
possessions, who apply for them. This is
| on the general ground that acts of the
| late congress give residents of the islands
those rights, superceding the U. S. stat
| utes which prohibit the issuing of pass
ports to any but American citizens.
Capt. Geo. Bryan, who recently return
| ed from the Philippines, where he served
with the volunteers, thinks the islands
| have great future. He said: 81 con-
slider it very favorable sign that so many
| of our boys are remaining in the Philip
pines, after the expiration of their terms
of enlistment. They are the men who
| will develop the country and in time con-
| vert it into American territory fit for
statehood. am no believer in the no.
tion that the Filipinos will never be fit
| for American citizenship. Fix just ed
ucational test, and the Filipinos who pass
it will be as desirable citizens as were
the negroes when the right of franchise
| was conferred upon them. knowledge
of the English language should be one of
the chief features of the test, for In learn
ing English the Filipinos will get an ad-
equate idea of American institutions. /
believe that in quarter of a century the
Filipino youths who are now in school
| will be as fit for citizenship as is the
| average negro, and much superior to many
Italians and other foreigners whom we
admit into the U. s. and allow to vote
after few Years. residence. cannot see
that there is such thing as Philippine
problem. 1t seems to me that the course
Is straight away ahead, and that only
time is necessary, coupled with wise and
rjust government, to work cut inevitable
results that will be to the everlasting
glory of the American republic"
Although the attorney. general has Civ.
en- an opinion that claims resulting from
the destruction of the battleship Maine
are national and not personal, and are
barred by the treaty of Paris, the Maine
claims are still being filed with the Span.
ish claims commission, by sailors who
survive and by the heirs of those who
lost their lives. Opinion differs as to
whether the attorney generals opinion
will be upheld, but the chances are that
it will be, as it would be very embarrass
ing to this government to have the ques
tion of responsibility for the destruction
of the Maine passed on by the Spanish
claims commission, regardless of how II
might be decided.
The president of Venezuela must moi
be kept we'll posted on the sentiment O.
the U. s. government. If he had been
he would have escaped the humiliation O.
being officially informed that the U. S
government unreservedly indorsed aots
of U. s. Minister Loomis, that the presi
dent of Venezuela had harshly criticized
In published interview. 1t has beel
officially announced that Minister Loomis
who is now on vacation, will not return
to Venezuela, but will be given a plac
elsewhere in the diplomatic service.
Mr.. Charles A. Moore, president of tn
American Protective Tariff league, VIII
was with the presidential party on th'
trip to the Pacific coast, Is the latest mai
of prominence to declare that the presi
dent was no longer an extreme protection
list. Speaking on the subject, Mr.. Moore
after highly commencing the president
efforts for the extension of commercial
reciprocity, said: ''The thing to do is t.
keep fully abreast of the times, and when
ever we can do SO advantageously, W
should negotiate real reciprocity treatie
that will allow US to sell our surplu
, products. If we take off duties amount
ing to $1OO, 900, we must be assured i
advance that we are going to get 800, 90
worth of trade in return. We are manu-
featuring great deal more than we ca
use up at home, and the time will com
before long when this overproductio
would be felt by us. 1t is the province G
craftsmanship to SO legislate as to con
! stantly increase our markets outside @
the U. S. We can't get a great deal fror
our European and Asiatic neighbors TO
: nothing. We cannot eat our cake an
have it, too. We've got to give what t
the other fellow will be an equivalent TO
anything valuable he gives us. This
just where true reciprocity comes in."
The president tells senators and repre-
sentatives that he does not wish to cal
an extra session of congress, but Is no
yet sure that one can be avoided.