New-York tribune., 1902-07-11
CUBAN COALING STATIONS.
PRESIDENT PALMA'S ACTION MAKES
THE TASK OF LOCATING THEM
MORE DIFFICULT.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE ]

LBY TELEGRAPH TIE TRIBUNE-l
Washington July 10.-Since the polite but
firm request was made by President Palma to
Minister Squiers for the removal from iris
cornia wharf of the coal belonging TO the
United States. and left there when the military
occupation Of the island was terminated, nothing
has been heard in Washington on that subject,
No order has been issued by the Navy Depart
ment for the removal Of the coal. and until this
IS done Il cannot be said that President Palmas s
dispossess notice has been treated with much
spect In view Of the fact that it has been well
understood in Washington for months that the
United States wished 10 establish in Havana
Harbor one Of the coaling stations provided for
in the Platt amendment and in view Of the
further fact that IL was the hope of those who
have most closely studied the situation TO
hold fast to Triscornia as the basis for negoti
atoms for a coaIing station at Havana, the re-
quest TO remove the coal at this time is dis
concerning TO say the least. President Palma's
unexpected action IS generally interpreted here
as a shrewd diplomatic move 10 bring to the
attention Of the responsible authorities Of this
government the possibility that the task of 10
eating coaling stations in Cuba may be more
difficult than It appeared when provision for
them was made by the Platt amendment.
Although the Platt amendment is an integral
part Of the constitution Of Cuba. at the same
time il must be remembered that before any Of
The provisions Of this enactment can become
effective they must be embodied in a perma-
nent treaty between the United States and
Cuba. Had Congress at the recent session
paved the way for the close commercial rela-
IONS with Cuba so strongly urged by both
Presidents Mckinley and Roosevelt, there is no
doubt that the permanent treaty called for by
the Platt amendment would before this have
been proposed by the Cuban Government, and
"a 1,a rsII 1y7v
Il goes without saying, of course. that this
would have averted the possible embarrassment
10 both nations involved in the Triscornia af-
fair, as the subject Of cOaling stations would
have been one Of the earliest taken up for con-
sideration- AS the case now stands. however,
there is no recourse left 10 this government in
the premises. and the Triscornia wharf at Ha-
vana must be vacated by the United states at
The earliest practicable date. Probably Secre-
tary Moody VIII send collier TO Havana TO
bring the coal away and when that is done
there VIII be no point on the island where a
United States warship can go for fuel or re-
pairs.
HAVANA MOST IMPORTANT POINT.
II is an open secret that the Navy Depart
ment's well matured strategic policy cUntcn-
plated the location Of its chief bases in the West
Indies on the island Of Cuba, and while the orig
inal plan had in view the esta blIshment OF al
least four stations in Cuba-one at Havana, an
other al CienIuegos. another at Guantanamo
and the other al Nipe-Eavana al along has
been regarded as the point most essential to
the protection of this counJry's interests III :he
West Indies and South America. In point of
fact il IS known that Admiral Dewey. on 'VhCse
experienced judgment in matters Of naval STRAIT
egy the President chiefly relies, cares little or
nothing for CienfUegos Guantanamo or Nipe
as coaLng sites but regards Havana Harbor as
absolutely necessary 10 the development of the
policy OF the United States. The Cubans under
the most favorable circums tances, would prob
ably have been aVeTSe 10 granting, either by
lease or sale, base for the navy IN Havana
Harbor but il had been thought UP 10 the time
Congress failed 10 Go its duty in the matter of
reciprocity that their sentiment against seeing
the United States flag fly over small strip Of
overcome through the agencies of diplomacy.
While the authorities here have not despaired
or securing coaling privileges at Havana. they
realize that the undertaking will be fraught
with more obstacles than would have interviewed
nao the acmInisrraIions Cuban policy been
vitaliZed by Congressional ena ctnent al the ses-
sion just closed It is considered possible that
the dispute over the ownership Of the Isle Of
Pines VIII serve the United States a good pur-
pose in negotiations for coaling stations 1t is
known that President Palma and every infiu-
entail man in Cuba IS extremely anxious 10
erabody the Isle OF Pines in the territorial limits
OF Ine lnSG-aT republic -ld Il Is believed that
this appeals as strongly 70 tle sentiment Of the
whole Cuban people as does the question Of the
United states acquiring control Of a COaling sta
ton in Havana Harbor Thus in the treaty
negotiations Of the future. the one can be played
against the other, and as the Isle Of Pines - Of
no great commercial strategic value his
government perhaps would he only too ..ia1 70
land for an adequate naval base in Havana
Harbcr from which the United States for al
time could command the Gulf Of Mexico