New-York tribune., 1902-03-25
INAUGURATION DELAYED.
PALMA NOT TO BECOME PRESIDENT
OF CUBA BEFORE MAY 20.
IrY TELEGRAPH To Tpz rnIBrxE.I

Secretary Root and General Wood. Governor
General of Cuba have been working nearly all
day together cuba. Their conferences have
dealt mainly with two important questions af-
fecting the transfer of the government from
the United States military authorities to the
officers recently elected by the Cubans The
points of chief interest involved are the date
Of the inauguration of President Estrada Palma
and the character and personnel of his Cabi-
net. Their deliberate proceeded 10 the point
where it became advisab BILE TO invite President
elect Palma TO come to Washington to confer
with them on these questions. Accordingly. a
teleGraphic summons was sent to General Palma
in NewYork at an early hour this morning
and he arrived this evening and dined at the
Whit" House with President Roosevelt Secre-
tary Root and General Wood. The Cuban Presi-
dent will remain guest at the White House
where General Wood also is quartered. until to-
morrow 'fternoon. and perhaps until Wednesday
morning, Before he departs every important
point will be decided and then Congress can
proceed more inteIligently and ener geticaIIy with
IT'S work Of providing a way to bring Cuba
into close commercial relations with the United
States.
As a result of to-day's conferences it has
virtually been decided that General Palma shall
be inaugurated as President of the island re-
public not earlier than May 20 the date Of his
inauguration has heretofore been tentatively
fixed for May l, but that date had been COM
monty mentioned more as a matter Of conven-
.ence than as a settled fact careful canvass
Of the situation shows that the Inauguration OF
President Palma could not occur before MAY 20
without leading to possible confusion and awk-
ward annoyance. which in the interest of both
countries il is considered advisable TO avoid.
Indeed, II is thought not to be improbable that
developments in the next two or three weeks
Will demonstrate the wisdom of postponing the
inauguration even TO later date than MAY 20
though it is generally thought that the Condf-
ttons will warrant the change being made by
June l, by which time it is felt President Palma
would be prepared to name his full Cabinet and
thus start his administration of under the most
favorable auspices.
POSSIBLE CABINET MEMBERS.
II Is intimated that he probably will see the
wisdom Of utilizing the services In his Cabinet
Of the eminent Cubans who have been aiding
General Wood in various Official capacities in the
administration Of the islands affairs The mem
bers OF General Woods Cabinet are:
Secretary ot state Government-DIEGo rAMKY6
Secretary Of Flnance-LEOPoi.DO CANCIO
Secretary II Justce-JOsE vAREI.A Y JADO
pfiRFEIrE. khcoSTF commerce and Industries
Secretary OF Public Irs,ruotion-E ENRIQUE JOSH
Secretary Of Public works-IosB RAMON v1LLAroN.
1t is not known positively of course. that all
Of these men, or the majority of them. would be
acceptable To President Palma although II is
thought likely that he would be greatly in
fuenced In his selection of a Cabinet by the
recommendations OF President Roosevelt and
General Wood, who are more intimately ac-
quainted with the character and capacity of the
men named for the work in hand than General
Palma could be. since he has not been in Cuba
"a aud
out Of touch with such details
CONDITIONS OF WITHDRAWAL
Very little thought has been given to the sub
Ject Of the exact date Of the withdrawal OF the
American troops from the island Under the
provisions Of the Platt amendment President
Roosevelt cannot order the United states troops
away from the island until the Cuban Govern
ment has complied fully with eight conditions
as follows:
First-That the Cuban Government shall never
enter into any treaty or other compact with any
foreign power or powers which will impair
tend 10 impair the independence of Cuba. nor in
any manner authorize permit any foreign
power powers to obtain by colonization, or for
military CT naval purposes, otherwise. lodge
ment in or control over any portion of said ISL
and.
Second-That said government shall not as
sumo contract any public debts TO pay the
interest upon which. and to make reasonable
sinking fund provision the ultimate dis
charge OF which. the ordinary revenues of the
island after defraying the current expenses OF
government. shall be inadequate
Thrd-That the government of Cuba consents
that the United States may exercise the right to
intervene for the preservation Of Cuban inde-
pendence. the maintenance Of a government
adequate for the protection OF life. property and
individual liberty, and for dischargng the obli-
cations with respect to Cuba imposed by the
Treaty OF Paris the United States. now 20
be assumed and undertaken by the government
of Cuba.
Fourth-That all acts of the United States in
Cuba during its military occupancy thereof ara
ratified and validated. and all lawful rights
acquired Hereunder shall be maintained and
protected
Fifth-That the government of Cuba will exc
cute. and far necessary extend the plans
already devised, other plans to be mutually
agreed upon. for the sanitation of the cities Of
the island. the end that a recurrence OF cpl
demc and infectious diseases may be prevented.
thereby assuring protection 10 the people and
commerce of Cuba. as well as 10 the commerce of
the Southern ports of the United States and the
people residing therein.
Sixth-That the Isle of Pines shall be omitted
from the proposed constitutional boundaries of
Cuba. the title thereto being left To future ad-
tuStInent by treaty.
StVenth-That TO enable the United States 10
maintain the independence of cuba and TO pro
tect the people thereof, as we'll as for Its own
defence the Government of Cuba will sell or
lease to the United States lands necessary for
Coaling naval stations at certain specified
points to be agreed upon with the President of
the United States.
Fighth-That by way Of further assurance ths
government of Cuba will embody the foregoing
provisions in permanent treaty with the
United States.
DATE OF WITHDRAWAL UNCERTAIN
From these stipulations il will be seen that
the President cannot withdraw the troops until
the Cuban Congress has complied with every
requirement contained In the Platt amendment
1t Is not thought probable that the Congress at