The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-07
CUBAN CONGRESS
 HAS ARDUOUS TASK
Will Continue in Session for
 Three Extra Months
MANY MATTERS TO SETTLE
President Palma Sends Message, In
 Which He Urges the Arranging of -- Treaties With U. S.-Con- 'f graduates the Country.

Havana, April 6.-Congress re-assembleo at o'clock this afternoon and probably will 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 a permanent treaty cover ing Cubas political relations with the United States laws dealing with municipal government and defining the duty and authority of cabinet officers, both the lat ter laws including the questions as to how far the general government shall continue to supercede the local govern ments in the matter of sanitation ana other public works; laws concerning gold and silver coinage. divorce and revision of the court system and customs tariffs Message From President.
 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 re- form of the military laws, which, he says. are not adapted to a republican form of government, especially with ref erence to the jurisdiction over soldiers guilty of penal ofenses. The president says that negotiations have been com pleted providing for the entrance or Cupa in the postal union, and for special ar rangements with the United States and Mexico, and he advises an entire rec construction of the postal and telegraph systems.
 The majority of the municipalities con tinues President Palma, exist with di1- ficultv because their revenues are in- adeduate and the obligations of the muni- cipalities cannot continue to be met un- less congress specifically authorizes the government to act in this matter.
 Satisfactory Work.
 The work of sanitation, as at present conducted by the government, is not In harmony with the constitution. Since the Platt amendment 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 tribute to President Roosevelt by saying that Roosevelt has fought congress to bring about a treaty of reciprocity oe- tween Cuba and the United States, and says the Cubans should put forth every effort to retain the friendship and the respect of so great 8 President and so great nation.
 Tt 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 Washington government expeditiously, frankly and correctly, whether 1t be by grant of what we ought to grant or re- fusing what we consider ourselves justi- fled in refusing"
 The executive recommends a speedy ap- probation of the naval station agreement, so that it may be possible to negotiate an additional agreement to establish the price of the leases and other conditions and details regulating the possession of the stipulated areas of land and water.
 Must Drop Platt Amendment.
 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 it will seem unnecessary that the Platt amendment should remain any longer a part of the constitution. It is therefore necessary, he says, to hasten the perma- nent Refinement 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 political 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. 63SO00, and advises that 1t should always be kept at $1,500,000, to prepare for emergencies. He recommends overcoming the scarcity of silver by the coinage of silver or any measure that congress may consider op- perfume.