New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-22
THE CABINET IN SESSION
CUBAN RELATIONS. CANAL AND PACIFIC
CABLE DISCUSSED.
DISSATISFACTION WITH COLOMBIAS ATTI-
TUDE-CUBA MUST LIVE UP TO THE
PLATT AMENDMENT
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TR1BuxE.l

[BY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNEl
Washington, Nov. 21-Relations with Cuba,
the isthrnian canal and the Pacific cable We're
the principal matters discussed at the meeting
Of the Cabinet to-day General satisfa action
expressed with the outcome of the conference
between the Attorney General and the officials
of the Commercial Pacific Cable Company, espe-
cially as Attorney General Knox was able to
port that at brief conference with the cable
people this morning an entirely satisfactory
derstanding had been reached to the only
point at issue.
On the other hand. there were many express
sions of dissatisfaction with the condition of the
canal negotiations with Colombia and of the
reciprocity negotiations with Cuba. The feel
ing is general among members of the Cabinet
that the Colombian Government is trying to
force the United States into paying an exorb-
tant price for concessions which will comply
with the requirements of the legislation enacted
by Congress, and the drift of opinion that
unless Colombia should speedily authorize her
minister here to sign the pending treaty it
would be well to turn again toward the Nicara-
qua route under the provision of the law which
authorizes the President TO adopt that route in
the event of his inability to obtain the necessary
concessions from Colombia
NO FURTHER CONCESSIONS TO CUBA
The Cuban Government came in for severe
criticism on account of the attitude which Presi-
dent Palma has been led by European influences
u assume toward reciprocity and the Platt
amendment The members of the Cabinet feel
that Cuba is not only ungrateful to the United
States. but is pursuing very shortsighted pol
icy, and there is no disposition to make any
variation whatever in the instruction which
Brigadier General Bliss carried to Cuba for his
guidance. and that of Minister Squiers in the
negotiation Of the proposed treaty. If Cuba will
not accept the generous terms offered, she need
expect no tariff concessions from the United
States. The administration will not abandon
single feature of the PIatt amendment; GER
tainy not until after Cuba has entered into
satisfactory reciprocity treaty. The attitude of
this country will not be changed in any way
even il the Cuban Congress should go so far
as to declare the Platt amendment void or If
action should be taken TO strike il from the
Cuban constitution. In addition to having been
adopted appendix TO the Cuban constitu-
ton. it is law of the United States. and until
1t has been repealed by Congress u will be in
sisted upon by the President The Cubans will
realize the meaning of this if they undertake 10
borrow money without the approval OF the
United States in the face of the provision OF the
Platt amendment, which gives the United states
practically a veto power on any proposition lot
a Cuban loan. The Cubans will be given TO
understand that the United States expects the
Platt amendment to be lived up to- ana the IeW
batteries of American artillery which are sun
in Cuba will probably remain there until a salts
factory settlement is reached
THE TARIFF REVISION QUESTION.
Although the subject of tariff revision did not
take up much time at the Cabinet meeting,
President Roosevelt is giving much attention
10 II before closing up his message to Congress
He is consulting with the party leaders as to the
recommendations he should make. He heard
conservative advice to-day Senator Scott. of
West Virginia advised against anything what
ever being attempted at the coming session
Senators Lodge and Burrows also advised a
conservative course. The President has been In
favor OF TIE creation of a permanent commits
sion outside Of Congress for the consideration of
tariff matters. He finds that some Senators
and Representatives will favor the creation of
a Congressional commission He also finds a
difference Of opinion as to the best method Of
bringing about reciprocical concessions between
The United States and other nations On one
SIDE are the advocates of reciprocity treaties and
on the other advocates of maximum and mini
mum schedules, to be put in force by the eXecu-
i've, the tariff treatment of the United States
oy other nations warrants