The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-04-26

Washington, April 24.-The commits
sion OF five delegates to the Cuban con-
stitutional convention, consisting of
Domingo Mendez Capote, Pedro E.
Betancourt, Rafael M. Portuondo, Diego
Tamayo and Pedro Gonzales Llorente,
who were sent to Washington to confer
with the president regarding the Gu
ban relations with this country, arriv-
ed here this morning, together with an
interpreter and representatives of the
Havana press. They were met at the
station oy Assist ant Secretary of State
Hill, Assistant Secretary of War San
ger, Captain Sawtelle and Lieutenant
Overton, of the United States army,
detailed for that purpose, and escorted
to the Shoreham. The delegates con-
versed with the reception committee
through an interpreter, though most
of them speak English very well. 1t
was stated that arrangements for their
visit 20 the president would be made
through the war department
The delegates remained at their ho-
tel most of the morning, as they were
fatigued by the long railroad trip from
Florida. Quite a number of officials
Hill, of the state department, and AS
sistant Secretary Sanger, of the war
department, who left cards individual
ly for each member of the delegation.
When inquiry was made of Mr. Diego
Tamayo, one Of the delegates as to the
plans of the party, ne answered
through the interpreter, Mr. Enten1a
that the delegation felt it would be dis
courteous to enter upon q discussion of
their business before they called on the
secretary OF war
Arrangements have been made at the
war department by which the Secre-
tary of war will receive the delegation
at IL o'clock tomorrow morning and
probably will escort them to the White
house about that time
General Wood, military governor of
Cuba, arrived this morning with his
family and took apartments at the
Richmond. He came to the war de-
partment, and had a conference with
Assistant Secretary Sanger. He sent
his secretary to call ON the Cuban del
.egation, to ascertain their desires for
the day in order that he might be able
TO act aS their escort, either to the
White house or the war department.
General Wood has had no direct in
formation from General Whitside re-
garding the reported troubles at San
tago, but before he left Cuba, he had
been advised by General Whitside that
party strife was making some trouble
in that municipality and that dfsor-
derS might be anticipated during the
spring elections in other sections of the
island. After that, however, it is ex-
pected that the usual tranquility Of
the island will be resumed.
General Wood reached the war de-
partment shortly after 8 o'clock The
secretary's door was closed to all call
ers as soon as General Wood, Senator
Platt and Admiral Bradford joined him
in his office. 1t was understood that
General Wood entered at once into a
thorough exposition of the complicated
Cuban situation. He was perfectly in
commission and apprised Secretary
Root of the nature of their errand.
1t is gathered that next to the sub
jects Of coaling stations and the right
Of the United States to intervene in
Cuba in the interests OF peace and or
der, the CubanS attach most impor-
tance to the subject of sugar duties.
The commission is trying to secure
remission of the United States duty
on Cuban sugar
The president cannot grant this re-
quest, as it involves a change in the
tariff laws and therefore application
must be had to congress. Tobacco too
is another subject which the secretary
Of war will be obliged to discuss with
the commissioners and on that point
he wanted advice. The Cubans are ex-
tremely desirous of securing consid-
tobacco, OF the extremely high tariff
imposed by the Dingley act upon all
imported tobaccos.