Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 79, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 June 1901 — ACCEPTED BY CUBA. [ARTICLE]

ACCEPTED BY CUBA.

PLATT AMENDMENT ADDED TO ISLAND CONSTI+UfION, A ' V By a Vote of 16 to 11 the Constitutional Convention Decides in Favor of Adopting the Provisions of the ** ms , i Measure Entire. After a short session in Havana Wednesday, the Cuban constitutional convention voted that the Platt amendment, just as it Stands, be added to the constitution. The resolution had a preamble referring to the joint resolution of Congress, the treaty of Paris, and the Platt amendment. The vote was 16 to 13. The Radicals made no opposition. Many Spaniards, Cubans and Americans hoped that the amendment would be rejected, .and thus, perhaps, annexation would Anne about. It is stated that the Radicals were more relieved after the amendment had been accepted than were the Conservatives. According to the provisions of the Platt amendment Cuba concedes the following: Cuba will make no treaties with foreign powers without the consent of the United States. The United States may Intervene by arm or otherw-lse to preserve peace and to ensure the proper sanitation of the Island. The United State® will select such nakal stations In Cuba as It may dc6lre. The Isle of Pines will remain United States property. The letter of Secretary erf War Root is published. It points out that the formed resolution, with the explanations attached, so changed the provisions of the Platt amendment that it was not the same as that passed by Congress. It added that President McKinley could not withdraw the troops unless the Platt amendment was incorporated in the constitution. It further says that the President is not authorized to act until the government is established. When that is done it will be his duty to see whether the constitution contains the Platt amendment as part of itself. In case the convention did not change its former resolution then the President could not remove the troops, as the former resolution altered the Platt amendment. Some of the delegates argued that then, though the amendment-was not accepted, a government might be established.' The convention will now appoint a commission to draw up the electoral law. The news of the adoption of the Platt amendment by the Cuban constitutional convention was received with gratification in Washington. Now that the Cubans have demonstrated their good faith in the United States, it is expected that a fairly speedy evacuation of the island will follow, contingent only upon the establishment of a stable government in the island. One cabinet officer, speaking of the matter, expressed the opinion that if the other requirements are met the withdrawal of United States troops might be accomplished during ■ the summer, and that Cuban independence might be a reality by next autumn.