Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1903-03-04
NAVAL STATIONS IN CUBA
Agreement With President Palma
Signed al Washington.
GUANTANAMO 0 TO BESIRONG BASE

Purposes Intcnded-Vcry Little Anti
American Sentiment in tho Island. Ac--
cordinE to Minister sGui-rs.
Washington. II. C.-PrcSidcnt Roose-
welt has signed the agreement drawn
under the terms OF the platt amend
ment providing for the acquisition by
the United States of naval bases at
Guantanamo and Bahia Honda. botIi
III Cuba. The document had previous
ly been signed 10y President Palma and
was brought 10 Washington by Min-
listers Squiers.
1t does not specify the price of the.
properties to be acquired by the United
States, and this detail is left 20 the
settled by the usual legal condemna-
tory proceedings, after the Navy De-
partmcnt has decided exactly the
amount of land il wishes at each place.
The agreement does not require af-
hrmativc action by the United Stutcs
Senate, although it is understood PresI-
dent Palma intends submitting il Tor
approval to the Cuban Senate Us
matter of precaution against objection
To his individual action.
Guantanamo and Bahia Honda the
two points agreed upon. are highly
spoken OF by naval officers as beng
well adapted for the purposes intended.
Huahtailalno has magnificent mar
Dor, In which almost the entire Navy
Oh the United States can lie at anchor.
Inc harbor is sheltered and always ac-
cessiblc to vessels of the LARGEST
draught. 1t commands the Windwnrd
iassage. Bahia Honda lies west OF
havana ON the northo st coast and
occupies n commanding position with
regard 10 tine iucatIn Passage.
1t Is the expectation to Immediately
commence making Guantanamo a
strong naval station. For the present
Bahia Honda will he used as n conlinp
station.
Mr.. Squiers has cleared up to the
complete satisfaction of the State De-
partment the important charges con-
hded TO him. with the exception OF the
settlement of the possession of the Is,c.
of Pines.
The indications are now that the
United States Government will NOT
press strongly I'm this matter. althou~h
therc are Important American interest
c!amorinG for termination OF the
present unsatisfactory conditions i'm the
Island. The reason for the indiRcrcncc
- NV una hll'lullIly OF the Island Il
naval base owing 10 the shallow watcr
surrounding ii. and the strong scnti-
mental attachment of the Cubans Tor
the place.
Minister Squiers speaks confidently
OF the outlook in Cuba.
No one doubts the success OF fhe
Palma adminiStrati ton" he said Good
order is maintained throughout the
island"
Mr Squiers declared that American
business interests were making steady
progress in Cuba, and that American
investors seem we'll satisfied with their
Investments. almost every week /
near OF new enterprises based on
american capital" said he. "Prcsid"nt
ialma's administration is very friendly
10 this class Of investors.
Occasionally NJ here YOU rcnd OF
ah'l-Amcrican sentiment. but really we
ma very little OF ii in Cuba. | would
not say that somc instances have bncn
exaggerated, bur M distance thcy
seem more important than they actuaI-
~ are. Taken rs II whole, the fricndI-
ness or the Cuban Government toward
Americans is reelected among the nco-
pie OF the island"