The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-19
ROOT lw WOOD CONFER


Inc secretary OF war nao ioHe couAet-
ence yesterday morning with General L-on-
ard Wood. who was summoned from Ha-
wanna to discuss plans for holding Cuban
constitutional convention and to inform the
Secretary Of War as to the general condi-
tior. in Cuba The conference had an Inn
portant bearing on the question OF sending
troops to China, as the War Department
expects to be able to withdraw additional
regiments from Cuba for service there.
Whether this can be done at this time has
not yet been decided. Several weeks ago.
when Secretary Root contemplated with
drawal Of part Of the Cuban force General
Wood recommended the withdrawal o. on y
two regiments, but finally approved OF the
return to the United States Of three regt-
ments.
At the conference yesterday General
Wood explained that 1t was not because OF
any fear Of disturbances In Cuba that he
thought best to retain the presen. forces.
but because of the moral effect on the pso-
pie generally. He explained that garrtsons
had been established throughout the island.
and that the people OF Cuba really wanted
the troops to remain. The order fer the
transfer OF three regiments reduced the en-
tive Cuban force to between fve and SIX
thousand. Any further reduction would
necessitate giving up come OF the garrisons
now occupied. and he did not think 1t wise
to discontinue any Of these posts until ater
the election of delegates to the constitu-
tional convention. After this election he
thought more troops could be withdrawn.
Acting on this suggestion the Secretary OF
War and General Wood are planning to
hold the election at the earliest possible
date.
After leaving the War Department Gen.
eral Wood called on the President and
was in consultation with him regarding
ths removal Of troops from Cuba to China.
TO reporter FOR The Times General
Wood said that he could not see how the
election could be held sooner than the 1st
OF September. II would like to give the
people six weeks notice OF an election he
said. ''You see, many parts Of the Island
are not easily accessible, and It would take
some little time to reach all the people. /
think after this election probably two or
even three more regiments could be with
drawn. The election and convention will
probably be over before the end OF octo-
Der, Genera, wJod remarked tina. the island
was ready newetF constitution.
Good order prevails over all the island"
he added. "and, there is not sign Of dis
turbance or 'truable The island is self
supporting and At the close Of the fiscal
year there wxst IN available balance Of
two and half million dollars. Thirty-one
hundred schools sllRve been opened, thirty
five hundred teachers are employed. and
81, 900 pupils attend. Seven courts having
trial by jury have been established in the
larger towns. This is the Cubans frst
experience with=triai by jury and the
Jurors are chosen from the qualified elect
- k~ folo kn oct o1o Inn
there was NO trouble and no arrests were
made. OF course, 1t will take time to
make the change In government. the
adoption Of constitution will bring to
the Cubans . copdttfon they never knew
before. It Will necessarily be followed by
increased business. Capitalists WHO are
prevented from investing now because OF
the inability to secure franchises and con-
cessions will then be able to invest their
money. as the constitution will make pro-
vision for the granting Of all privileges"
General Wood referred to the postal
frauds and said the Cuban people believed
that the United States would do every
thing necessary to bring the guilty men to
trial. The people had lost no faith in the
United States by reason of this trouble.
They want to see Neely brought back
to Cuba for trial and punishment, but they
understand the delay necessary he said.
This delay. however. works quite hard
ship on the smaller accomplices who are
under arrest awaiting trial.
As to the question of annexation, Cen
eral Wood said he was certain that the
general mass of Cubans, while friendly to
the United States and appreciating what
this country had doue for Cuba, really IA
vored independence. the bulk of the
people want Independence he said.
There is some feeling in favor Of an
nexation, but cannot tell its extent or II
1t is growing or not"
When asked il Cuban regiments could
not be raised to replace the American
regiments needed for service in China
General Wood replied that the Cubans
were opposed to native military. They
did not want to revive the military spirit
tn h. fixrcs-