The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-26
And Informs Them Secretary Root
VIII Explain Provisions of the
PIatt Amendment.
AN AFTERNOON CONFERENCE
DELEGATES At THE WAR DEPART-
MENT FOR SEVERAL HOURS.
National Capital Notes of Interest to
Iudianians-Xe esterday's Civil and
Military Appointments.

WASHINGTON. April e5. - The Cuban
delegation from the convention framing \
constitution for the new island republic
saw President Mckinley twice to-day. once
i'm the early part OF the day. when there
were introductions and a formal exchange
of expressions of friendship between the
United States and Cuba. and again at nigh;,
when the members of the delegation wero
the guests OF honor at a state dinner at
the White House. The real business which
brought the delegation here was transacted
with Secretary Root at the War Depart
ment, the President i'm the forenoon inter
view at the White House saying to the
delegates that he would confer with tho
secretary, who would act as his representa-
tive in conferences over the Cuban situa-
ton. The delegation and Secretary Root
were closeted for some hours In the after
noon in a discussion OF the relations OF
the island to the United States. Secrecy
was observed as TO the conference, the
statement being made that after results
were reached some news as 10 the con-
clusions might be made public.
Matters of importance were not touched
on In the interview between the President
and delegation. the conversation being al
most wholly formal Senor Capote. in his
address TO the President. spoke OF the desire
Of the Cubans to have the closest possible
relations with the United States. He said
that United States soldiers and Cubans
had fought side by side and driven Spain
| from the island. and the ties between tho
| two countries were bound in blood The
] relationship, therefore, between the two
countries always should be most amicabls
and closer than that which usually exists
between nations. He also spoke OF tho
| gratitude which Cuba felt TO the United
States for the assistance rendered in her
liberation.
THE PRESIDENTS RESPONSE.
In response the President expressed his
pleasure at meeting the delegation and de-
sired through them TO extend his kindes.
wishes to the people of the island. He said
that his interest in Cuba always had been
very great and he made reference to mes
sages he had sent TO Congress concerning
the island. Its welfare always would DO
the subject of his most earnest considera-
ton. He congratulated the members OF
| the delegation upon being members OF tho
| Cuban constitutional convention. He said
il was a high honor, and IL fell TO the lot
/ OF but few men to have the opportunity 10
| frame a government for q republic. Con-
cerning the object OF the delegations visit
the President said he would confer with
| the secretary of war. and the secretary.
| having an intimate knowledge OF the stu-
| alton would confer with the delegation.
The conference in Secretary Roots Of
| fee lasted from until o'clock IN the
afternoon. Those present were the five
| Cuban delegates. their interpreter. Secre-
tary Root. General Wood. Assistant secre-
| tary of war Sanger. Senor Gonzales. Gen.
eral Woods secretary, who acted as inter-
prefer a great portion OF the time The
army officers who were acting as escort
| for the Cubans were also present. When
| the meeting adjourned no official statement
was made as TO the proceedings but
| il can be said that the result
was considered satisfactory both by
the Cubans and Secretary Root
| The business was not completed and the
| conference will reassemble tomorrow aft
ernoon The fact that the entire conversa-
tion had to be through interpreters made
| it necessary to proceed slowly. II was
made plain to the Cubans by Secretary
| Root that no modification of the Platt
| amendment could be made by the execu-
tive department of the government, and
| the Cubans themselves understand that
| there is little possibility Of congressional
| action i'm that direction, so the conference
| was largely directed TO the construction
which could be placed upon the amend
| ment. The law states that the PROPOSE
| tions contained In the amendment shall be
substantially agreed 10 by the Cubans.
and the discussion revolved chiefly around
| what Will be considered a ''substantial'
| agreement TO the Platt amendment require
| ments.
| There some very fine legal sparring
| between Secretary Root and Senor Ca
| pote the president Of the constitutional
| convention and the chairman OF the dele
| CATION, as TO the meaning OF the amend
| ment and the meaning Of certain pro-
! posed drafts Of the different propositions
| that were considered. The Intervention
| proposition caused the most discussion and
as this had received much consideration
| I'm the convention In Havana the Cubans
were familiar with all phases of the con-
struction that might be placed upon 1t.
| All members OF the delegation took moro
or less part in the discussion and the
views OF each were given careful atten-
tion by Secretary Root. II Is understood
the Cubans are impressed with the desire
Of this government 10 deal fairly by Cuba
| and the belief Is expressed that the dele
cation will take home favorable reports
of the intention of the United States.
STATE DINNER
| The members of the Cuban commission
were entertained at state dinner given IN
their honor by the President at the White
House tonight The guests invited 20 meet
them were Thoroughly representative OF
| the executive. legislative and judicial
branches OF the government and included
members OF the Cabinet. senators and rse-