The Platt Amendment is structured in a very straightforward way, with an introduction and then a list of points. By using a list, in Roman numerals, Congress was employing a rhetorical device that emphasized a rational argument.

What do we mean by that? Well, a list is more organized and clear than one big smooshed-together paragraph. A list comes across as more civilized, if you will. So, the reader could be more persuaded that whatever's in that list is a good idea, or at least rational, thanks to that style.

Whether or not that really worked as intended will probably never be known. Because, as we've seen, Cuba had to accept the terms of the Platt Amendment, no if's and's or but's about it.

But hey, maybe by using a list Congress came across as a bit more formal and rational.