Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-05-01
FEARED SECTION THREE
Of THE PLAT Amendment
PRESIDENT McKINLEY'S AssuH-
ANCES SAID TO HAVE Salts
FLED CUBAN COMMISSIONERS.
THEY WANT INDEPENDENCE
WITH NO SUPERVISION OF THEIR
AFFAIRS AND THEY EXPECT
TO GET 1T.


delegates visited General Brooke at
Governors island and were much pleas
ed with their entertainment. When
seen at the Fifth avenue hotel. Senior
Capote said:
"The report to be presented to Zhe
convention relative to the matter con-
corning which we conferred with Presi-
dent Mckinley and Secretary Root has
not been prepared We are working at
1t and do not expect to complete it much
before our arrival in Havana"
T. Estrada Palma called on the dele
gates at the hotel and was in confer
ence with them for over two hours.
Nearly all the matters which brought
the delegates to the United States were
gone over and General Palma's views
ascertained. There is reason to believe
that the subject that the question of
fitting candidate for the presidency is
brought UP and that the possibility of
General Palmas selection was discuss
ed. When asked for statement, Gen
eral Portuondo said:
"A great stumbling block has been
removed That is all I care to say
",Vhat stumbling block do you mean,
senor?" was asked
Section of the Plat amendment
was the answer. The CuIbans have
been afraid of your armies. They fear
what some cali Imperialism Now in
section 3, | Ink, of the Platt amend
rnent, it is provided thai the Uniled
States may send troops into Cuba,
whenever, in the opinion of Washing
ton. such action is necessary. This pro-
vision awakened widespread suspicion.
Many said that it was only pretext
for the United States to continue a
standing army in Cuba for all time.
The presence of soldiers, and especially
those of another people, cannot but be
onerous and discomfting to us.
Others said that although the
United States might withdraw her
forces now, she could, under this provi-
SION, Immediately send them back
again. This, then, was stumbling
block. 1t was perhaps magnified in the
eyes of the common people and they
demanded that if these suspicious were
we'll founded such measure should not
p,,t
kinley soon assured us that these sus-
picions were groundless. When we said
that by this provision the United States
had more jurisdiction over Cuba than
over any one of its own States, because
in the latter case, | understand the ma
tional government cannot send troops
into State without the permission Of
the State government, he said:
Gentlemen, you need have no fear.
Troops will not be sent into Cuba unless
conditions are little less than anar-
chy.'
THE Presidents answer so convinced
us that we could not but be impressed
with his sincerity
How do the Cubans feel in regard to
independence" was asked.
Ninety nine per cent of our people"
the general answered, want independ-
ence They will not even listen to an
nexation. They want independence
absolute independence. Now, l do not
mean that the Cuban people are not dis
posed to give the Americans what they
(the Americans) will need for their de-
Tense. ] tell you that if the question of
independence is settled and all differ
ences on the subject are eliminated, ev-
erything else can be arranged
What do you mean by independ-
ence? Does not each State of the United
States have independence"
by independence | mean sovereign
ty. We want to regulate our own inter
national affairs. Our preferences will
be for America to help and support her
in case of need"
Are you sure, then, that the United
States will grant Cuba it's desired indie
pendence?"
Yes | am sure. And | believe that
Washington will soon announce to the
world that Cuba is a sovereign power
and that Cuba will indeed be nation
by February "a, 1902"