The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-04-07
THE CUBAN CONGRESS- MUCH NECESSARY LEGISLATION
 TO BE PASSED. The Political Relations of the New Republic With the United States to Be Considered-Money
 and Sanitation.

havana, April 6.-Congress reassembled at o'clock this afternoon and probably VIII continue in session three extra months on account of the necessity for the enactment of many laws before all the departments of the government get thoroughly under way. These measures include approval of the naval station agreement and permanent treaty cov- ering Cubas political relations with the United States; laws dealing with munic- lpai government and defining the duty ana authority of cabinet officers, both the latter laws including the questions as to how far the general government shall continue to supersede the local govern ments in matters of sanitation and other public works: laws concerning gold and silver coinage divorce and revision of the court system and customs tariffs
 A message from President Palma was read at the opening session. The Presi- dent congratulates the country on the maintenance of peace and order since the strikes last November, He says that the scheme of reorganization of the rural guard has been begun and advises a re- form of the military laws which, he says, are not adapted to a republican form of government. especially with reference to the Jurisdiction over soldiers guilty of penal offences. The President says that negotiations have been completed provid- ing for the entrance of Cuba in the postal union and for special arrangements with the United States and Mexico and he ad- vises an entire reconstruction of the pos- tai and telegraph systems.
 The majority of the municipalities, con- tinues President Palma, exist with diffi- culty because their revenues are inade- quate and the obligations of the munich palities cannot continue to be met unless Congress specifically authorizes the gov- ernment to act in this matter. This work of sanitation as at present conducted by the government Is not in harmony with the Constitution. Since the Platt amend ment makes the government responsible for sanitation, it Is urged that an act covering the work of sanitation be passed. The message affirms that the relations of Cuba to the United States are cordial President Palma pays Q tribute to Presi- dent Roosevelt by saying that Roosevelt has fought Congress to bring about a treaty of reciprocity between Cuba and the United States and says the Cubans should put forth every effort to retain the friendship and the respect of so great a President and so great a nation.
 ''It is in our interest" the message says, "worthily to cultivate these senti- ments and we cannot do so better than by carrying out our obligations to the Wash ington government expeditiously, frankly and correctly, whether 1t be by grant of what we ought to grant or refusing what we consider ourselves Justified in refus- ing"
 The executive recommends a speedy approbation of the naval station in order that 1t may be possible to reach an agreement to establish the price of the leases and other conditions and details relating to the possession of the stipulat- ed areas of land and water.
 President Palma further expresses the hope that the question of incorporating into the treaty all the provisions of the Platt amendment soon will be settled and adds that after this has been done 1t will seem unnecessary that the Platt amendment should remain any longer part of the constitution. It Is therefore necessary, he says, to hasten the perma- nent definement of Cuba's relations with the United States so as to eliminate the Platt amendment problem. which is keep ing Cuba at present in a state of polit- ical uncertainty. The President urges the early reorganization of the courts and the creation of new codes. The President also points out that the cash balance at the treasury amounts to g, ,63S, 900 and ad- vises that it should always be kept at $1, ,50O.0 900 to prepare for emergencies. He recommends overcoming the scarcity of silver by the coinage of silver or any measure that Congress may consider op- nortune.