The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-07
THE CUBAN CONSTITUTION.
The Delegates to he Urged to Hasten
Their Deliberations

|
| Secretary Root has suggested to Gov
ernor General Wood that he use his in
| fuence with the members of the Cuban
constitutional convention to induce them
| to conclude their lahors and submit their
| constitution to this Government before
| the adjournment of the present session OF
Congress. While this action on the part
of the Secretary of War was not official. 1t
is understood nevertheless to express the
wishes of the Administration.
The course of the Administration In
| regard to Cuba, 1t is said, will depend en-
| tirely upon the character of cons.itu-
ton adopted by the convention now in SEES
| sion. While it is now quite freely admit
| ted that as to the general points of the
| constitution neither Congress nor the
President can take any specific action as
| to its acceptance or rejection inasmuch as
the Supreme Court. in deciding the Nicely
case. has held that Cuba is foreign terri
tory. yet it is held that there may be
certain clauses which would require con-
sideration by this Government.
In this connection it is mentioned that
the Cubans might, in their fundamental
law, make some provision to allow the
United States to establish a protectorate
over the island or they might define the
commercial relations which they desired
to exist between this country and Cuba.
In either case, it is said that some ac
ton would be required by this Govern
ment. The President desires to have Con-
gress share any responsibility which
might arise from such a contingency. 1t
is also asserted that numerous other
points may be inserted in the constitution
which would require some consideration
from this Government.
AS a general proposition, however, the
statement is made that Congress has not
the authority to ratify, or the President
to approve officially, the Cuban constitu-
tim as it may be promulgated by the
present convention. This, however. does
not alter the fact that this Government
holds the trump card in regard to the
Cuban situation. The Administration has
constitution is satisfactory, our troops
will not be withdrawn 1t is pointed out
that we still hold the island, are admin
istering its affairs. collecting and disburs-
ing the revenues, protecting life and prop
erty, and dispensing justice. There is no
definite time fixed as to when this condl-
tion of affairs shall cease.
The language of the resolution adopted
by Congress implies that the United States
should hold the island C1sil it is pacifed.
The language OF the President in his mes
sage was to the effect that the island
q hof tt1stf1 tail 10 ,f
eminent is established. 1t is now con-
tended that the President is the proper
person to determine when a stable form of
government is provided for, and when it
would be safe to turn the island over to
such government. All of this is contin-
gent. of course, upon the suppositon that
the Administration really intends to with !
draw from Cuba and permit the people to
set up and maintain Republic
1t = further reiterated upon behalf of
the Administration that the character OF
the Cuban constitution and the time of its
adoption will have great deal TO do with
the settlement of the question as to
whether or not there will be an extra ses-
sion of Congress. 1t is said to be one of
the questions which the President is con-
sidering in coming to a decision as to an |
extra session. At the same time it is ad-
mitted that the President, if the consti-
tuition is satisfactory to the Administra-
ton. can dispose of the Cuban question |
without the aid of Congress by author
izing the withdrawal of the troops and |
turning the government over to the Gu
bans entirely.
There has been no reliable intimation |
thus far received that the Constitutional |
will complete its labors by the |
middle of this month. as was reported /
some time ago. The probabilities are that /
1t will not do so, as there are number of |
important questions not yet finally settled |
by the delegates. IL is thought. however.
hat the well-known wish of the Admins
tration that the constitution be completed
as soon as possible will tend to hasten
the work. The main fear expressed is
that the wrangle over the clause affecting
General Gomez will interfere with speedy
action.
The question of an extra session OF Con-
gress depends therefore largely. if not en-
tirely. upon the character of the new con-
stitution and accompanying declaration.
President Mckinley thinks that if the |
work OF the convention meets the require
ments OF the Teller resolution. in which
the United States declares that its only
purpose is to assist the Cuban people in
setting up and maintaining stable gov
srnment 1t may not be Thought necessary
10 submit II to Congress. The President
has talked over this subject with the mem
1ers OF the Cabinet as well with menu
bers of Congress, and it is the general
opinion that If the work Of the conven-
ion, both with regard TO framing con-
5titution and setting forth the relations
hat are to exist between Cuba and the
United States is satisfactory the Presi- ,
lent can in advance of Congressional ac-
ion, proceed to have the Cuban govern
nent organized, and. if that is successfully
to withdraw the American |
roops from the island. The United States
Government proposes, however, to remain
n Cuba as long as is necessary to make
sure that a stable government has been
and to bs reasonably sure
hat it can be maintained.
II is regarded as possible that when the |
work OF the convention is completed 1t |
will contain propositions that could not
eceive the approval of the President and |
f Congress. and that therefore. it might |
e necessary even II Congress should be
n session at the time to return the docu-
nent to Cuba with suggestions for amend
nent. 1t is a fact that General Wood has
cen asked unoficially to obtain from the
United States Government some sugges-
ions as to what would be regarded as
relations" so that the con-
entiOn could act with a knowledge OF
he wishes OF the Executive and Congress
No such suggestion will be made. how
yer. as all propositions must originate
nth the Cubans. 1t has been intimated |
nofficially that perhaps the United States
night wish to make a suggestion of an |
eXation or a protectorate but beyond |
citing it be known that there must be
recognition OF the Monroe Doctrine and
declaration that no nation other than the |
lnited States can ever have any sort |
control in the island nothing has been