The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-17
COALING STATIONS IN CUBA.
WE ARE TO SET OUT 70 ACQUIRE
p THEM At ONCE.
Not 60 Ask for Territory st Havana Or
Nipe-Guantansm the Most 1mp0r.
tant Piace-President Receives Re.
ciprocity Treaty From Gen. Bliss.

WASHINGTON, Dec. ie.-With the con-
clusion Of the negotiation Of reciprocity
treaty with Cuba, the Administration has
promptly begun arrangements for effect
ing an agreement to carry out the provisions
q the Platt amendment In regard to the
acquisition Of coaling station In Cuba
The reciprocity treaty with the Insular
Government was delivered TO the President
to-day by Secretary Hay. WHO received 1t
this morning from the hands OF Gen. Tasker
II Bliss. and at the Cabinet meeting Mr..
Roosevelt directed the Secretary Of War
and the Secretary Of the Navy 70 arrange
plans at once for entering upon the ne
gotation OF the coaling station II eaty.
Secretary Root and Secretary Moody
had two conferences on the subject this
afternoon and such gratifying progress
was made that it Is likely that the formal
negotiations will be begun within week.
The original desire Of this Government
was to acquire four coaling stations in the
island. al Guantanamo and Cienfuegos on
the south coast and at Nipe Bay and Havana
harbor on the north coast.
The Cuban Government has objected
strongly to consenting to the transfer Of
any territory at Hava ma or it's vicinity to be
used by the United States az a naval coal
depot.
As n result Of their consideration OF this
objection, Secretary Root and Secretary
Moody agreed that the Cuban position
was well taken and that II would be mad
visable for this Government u insist upon
securing site al or near the Insular capital.
Mr.. Root and Mr.. Moody were Of the opin-
ion that the most important coaling station
site in the whole island IL AT Guantanamo,
which is about forty miles 10 the east ward
of Santiago, and they agreed also that
United States in the event Of war which
would involve the defence OF the American
coast or offensive operations by an American
feet in Cuban waters or in the Caribbean
sea.
1t was virtually determined by them to
recommend to the President the abandon
ment OF Nipe. and. instead. to ask Cuba
to cede only one Coaling station on the
north coast. not great distance from
Havana. but not near enough to give offence
to the Cuban Government, which feels
that the possession OF Notifications by the
United States in the close vicinity OF the
capital would be a reflection upon it's ability
to maintain independent sovereignty.
II is believed by the principal officers OF
the Administration that should the re-
Senate. no great difficulty will be exper-
fenced in negotiating the coaling station
treaty on terms outlined by the United
States
The President will probably scnd the
treaty to the Senate tomorrow and the ex-
pectation il that II will be ratified by the
Senate without much delay. The leading
beet sugar Senators have assured the Pre~i-
dent that they will vote for the treaty.
The treaty provides for a 20 per cent
reduction in Cuban products brought to
the United States and makes similar
concession in favor of American merchan-
disc entering the island