New-York tribune., 1902-03-23
CUBA'S GOVERNMENT.
DATE FOR WITHDRA WAL NOT
YET FIXED,
GENERAL WOOD CONFERS WITH THE
PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY ROOT
WANTS LARGER TARIFF
REDUCTION.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE, ]

tBT TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington, March 22-The visit of General
Leonard Wood. Military Governor of Cuba, to
Washington to-day has resulted thus far in no
definite understanding as to when the United
States troops will be withdrawn from the island,
when the Cubans will be prepared to get
along without the active aid Of this country,
represented by the United States military
establishment the island General Wood had
long conferences to-day with President Roose-
velt and Secretary Root, but decision as to
the date of the withdrawal of the American
troops was reached. 1t Is explained that, in the
very nature OF the case, it is impracticable to
pass final Judgment at this time this i'm
pOrtant point The rasons obvious In the
first place. it is not yet known with certainty
when the Cubans will have an independent, SOW
ereign and responsible government. The date
generally set for this interesting transformation
is May l. but neither in Havana nor Washing
ton positive assurance be given that the
Cuban Republic will be accomplished fact in
the full meaning of that term. While it is now
generally understood that Estrada Palma will
be inaugurated President on the date named
still there can be no guarantee that. simultane-
ously with his induction into office, the re-
sponsible authorities in the island. to say moth
ing of the Congress of the United States will be
the troops of this country.
TROOPS MAY REMAIN SEVERAL MONTHS.
This statement is based on the knowledge Of
the mutual obligations imposed by the Platt
amendment. which not only is a part of the
organic law of Cuba. but which also is the only
authority to President Roosevelt TO. withdraw
the troops. In point of fact. it is believed that
of the first acts of the new government at
Havana wi no a
President Roosevelt the desire that the United
States troops IN Cuba be continued there
until the regularly constituted authorities of the
island may signify desire for their withdrawal.
This notice Of course would have 10 be accom-
panied by the proofs prescribed by the Platt
amendment that the Cuban Government is able
TO administer the affairs Of the island in ac-
Cordance with the terms stipulated in that law.
In other words. the prospects at this time indi-
caate the probability that. even If President
Palma is inaugurated on May and the Cuban
Congress. together with all the other depart
ments of the government. is installed on that
day the United States may continue to main
tain an army or the island for several months.
or until next fall or winter. However. as Gov
ernor General Wood is TO meet President-eect
Palma In New York within few days To confer
on this subject II may be best TO await the re-
suit OF that conference before attempting 10
forecast positive result.
PROPOSED REDUCTION INSUFFICIENT.
General Wood is still outspoken in regard to
the mutual tariff reductions that should be made
in any reciprocity arrangement provided for by
Congress. He told the President to-day, as he
has frequently declared in recent newspaper in
terviews. that the 20 per cent basis fixed by
the House bill agreed to a party measure at
the Republican caucus last Tuesday night is
NJ nd hat no n
should not be less than 33 1-3 per cent He
would greatly prefer a 30 per cent reduction
even to this figure. but he intimates a willing
ness 10 compromise on SO 1-3 per cent basis.
General Wood discussed this phase Of the case
thoroughly to-day with President Roosevelt
while on a long walk through the suburbs. and
also talked il over in detail with Secretary
Root Neither the President nor the Secretary
of War however was able TO hold out much
encoura aSement for the tariff reduction urged
by General Wood. They realize that the Senate
cannot go further with the House bill than a
- per cent reduction. strong opposition has
sprung up within the last few days on the Re
publican side of the Senate to the proposition
for a 33 1-3 per cent basis Indeed, twelve in
fluential Republican Senators have informed the
leaders in the movement for Cuban reciprocity
in the upper chamber that they will contest bit
terly and unCompromisiugly any proposition for
a heavier reduction than - per cent and, In
the interest of reciprocity. To say nothing Of the
Importance Of keeping party friction down 70 the
be amended in the Senate only to the extent OF
increasing the reduction from 20 to - per cent
with possibly the abolition of the Sibley modi1-
cation limiting the period of reciprocity to De
Cember 1903.
i strong effort also will probably be made by
the administration leaders to eliminate from! the
House bill the condition that before the PreSi-
dent negotiates reciprocity treaty with Cuba
on any basis. the Cuban Congress SHAH adopt
the immigration laws of the United States. Ii
is considered likely, however, that this attempt
would be met with such opposition as TO dis
courage a very persistent effort to put il through
for fear that, in the ensuing wrange. the other
feated.
General Wood will go to NewYOrk Monday
or Tuesday TO meet President-eleCt Palma and
discuss the whole situation with him. After this
conference. 1t is thought. some definite pro
gramme will be announced by the administra-
tiOn.