The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-28

! the Secretary of State. and Assistant
Secretary of State, the Secretary of the
Navy, General Miles. and went through
the various bureaus in the State, War,
and Navy Departments. They also spent
part of .he afternoon going through the
! Capitol the Library, and visiting other
! points o: interest.
The Cuban commissioners called at
the White House yesterday and bade
! the President goodbye and thanked
him for the hospitable treatment which
| they. rad been accorded by him and the
/ Senor Capote, who acted as spokesman
, for the commissioners. told the Presi-
/ dent that the members of the delega-
{ ton regarded the respect with which
/ they had been treated as an honor
which had not only been bestowed
| upon them, but upon the whole Cuban
| people. He extended cordial invita-
ton To the President to visit the island
at his earliest opportunity. stating that
| the invitation was not merely formal
| ity, but sincere wish to have Mr..
Mckinley make a. trip to. Cuba and be-
come personally acquainted with con-
ditions in the island and with the Gu
ban people.
He especially urged upon the Presi-
dent the necessity of establishing at
the earliest possible date reciprocal
trade relations between the United
States and Cuba, Such action, he said,
would tend to bring the people into
closer political relations with this coun-
try.
In response the President said it
would be impossible to settle economic
questions until the Government of Cuba
should be established, and this he urged
be done as speedily as the circum-
stances of the case would permit. He
said that when the civil government as
contemplated is established he would
appoint a commission to meet a SINH
| lar commission of Cubans to negotiate
trade relations The President ex-
pressed the belief that relations could
be established which weald be mutually
! beneficial He expressed his appreeia
ton of the cordial invitation extended
him to visit the island. and asked the
commissioners to convey to the people
of Cuba his best wishes for their well
fare and the assurance of his interest in
them and his desire to see them pres
porous and contented.
General Wood saw the President after
TIE departure of the Cubans and had a
final conference with him before leav-
ing for Cuba. Speaking of the visit Of
the commissioners and of general con-
ditions in the island. General Wood said
yesterday:
"As TO what statements have been
made and what decisions and agree
ments have been reached between the
President and Secretary Root and the
commissioners | can say nothing now.
In fact. there is an understanding to
the effect that nothing shall be said
in this respect until after the commits
sioners have returned to Cuba Then ii
is probable that some statement will be
made.
The commissioners occupy a very
delicate position and are the subjects
for attack by che various conflicting
political parties in the island. 1t is not
fair that these papers should be af-
forded an opportunity to make their at
tacks while the commissioners are here
Hence it has been decided to say moth
iLg as to the result accomplished at
present. ] can say, however that per-
sonally. socially, and officially. all of
the commissioners are very much
pleased and thoroughly satisfied with
the cordial manner in which they have
been received and the hospitality ex-
tended them.
Cuba must be judged by net results,
and these. it must be admitted have
been favorable. 1t must be remembered
that we have had to deal with a peo-
pie differing from us in race, religion,
and the general character of institu-
tions; with people who have been mis-
governed for hundreds of years, which
has made them suspicious and Inclined
them to think all men deceptive. OF
course. there are cranks and disturbers
here and there; but, on the whole, the
Cubans have very friendly feeling for
the United States and are contented
and happy.
Our people travelling through the ISL
and are treated everywhere with the
greatest courtesy and consideration
Two years ago we were feeding about
200 900 people. now they are self-sup-
porting. and a visitor passing through
Havana would not see to exceed half
a dozen beggars. So it must be con-
ceded that the condition of Cuba at
present. is satisfactory"