The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-09-12
TREATY WITH
The CuBANS
SECRETARY HAY TO BEGIN NE
EQUATIONS SOON.
FOR MUTUAL INTERESTS
Every Article OF Plat Amendment
Will Be Embodied in the
Convention.

Viii Be Embodied in the
Convention.
Washington, Sept. 9.-Secretary
Hay, upon his return to Washington,
will begin negotiations for a treaty
Of amity and m between Cuba
and the United States. It will in
clude a provision for the extradition
Of persons breaking the laws ct the
two countries who may flee from JUS
tice, and other subjects generally dealt
with in a treaty Of this character.
There are at present no treaties ex-
listing between the United States and
Cuba, and unless one is negotiated
and ratified in the near future each
country may be subjected to embar.
easements.
When Cuba proposed to negotiate
a loan OF ZOO, 900 which the Unit
edA States government considered a
violation OF the provisions Of the
Plat Notwithstanding the future
relations between the two nations,
this government vas not in a position
to do anything to prevent the bond
sale, owing to the fact that the pro-
visions Of the Platt amendment had
not been incorporated in a treaty.
This amendment itself provides that
| by way of further assurance the gov
eminent Of Cuba will embody its pro-
visions in permanent treaty with the
United tSates.
It is highly important that a treaty
be negotiated at once and when this
is done every article Of the Plat
amendment will be embodied in the
convention.
One of the most far-reaching prOvi-
sions of this amendment safeguards
the independence Of Cuba. 1t de-
clares that ''the government Of Gu
ba shall never enter into any treaty
or compact with any foreign power
or powers which will impair or tend
to impair the independence of Cuba
nor in any ann authorize or per
NIT any foreign power or powers te
obtain by colonization of, for military
or naval purposes or otherwise, lodg
ment in, or control over any portion
of said island"
This provision has been greatly mis-
understood, assertions being made
that it prevents Cuba entering into
commercial treaties with any power
other than the United States. This is
not correct, as no restrictions of this
character are placed upon Cuba. The
effect is to guard the independence
of Cuba and to prevent any foreign
nation gaining a foothold in the is
land, which would be a violation @
the Monroe doctrine.
The second articles of the Plat
amendment limits Cuba's debt-con
tracing power. 1t provides tina
Said government shall not assume
or contract any public debt. to pay thu
interest on which and to make reason
able sinking fund provision for thu
ultimate discharge of which the ordi
nary of the island, after de
fraying the current expenses of gov
eminent, shall be inadequate"
Intervention by the United States
in the event of the failure of Cub
to protect life,J liberty and propert,
and for the preservation Of its indie
!, pendence is provided for in the mex
clause. 1t is as follows:
!. .The government of Cuba consent
that the United States may exercis
the right to intervene for the presel
!, walton of Cuban independence, tn
: maintenance Of government adequat
for the protection Of life, property an
individual liberty and for dischare
| ing the obligations with respect t
Cuba imposed by the treaty of Pari
| on the United States, now to be as
sumed and undertaken by the govern
.ment Of Cuba"
Section four provides for the rat
4 fcation of all acts Of the Unite
States during the military occupa
/ ton of the island. It's language is a
follows: "That all acts of the Uni
t ed States in Cuba during its militar
occupation thereof are ratified an
validated, and the lawful rights a.
1 quired hereunder shall be maintaine
and protected.
q Future sovereignty W the Isle {
L Pines is the subject of the next SCI
e ton, as follows: "That the Isle {
Pines shall be omitted from the PR