Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1901-04-26
TALK WITH CUBANS.
Root and Others at the Confer
ence.
PLATT AMENDMENT STANDS
Secretary Assured Them Executive
Department Couldn't interfere-ln-
tervention Proposition Caused Most
Observation-Disclosures at White House.

Washington, April 26.-The Cuban
delegation from the convention fran.
ing constitution for the new island
republic saw President Mckinley
twice, once when there were intro
auctions and formal exchange Of
expressions of friendship between the
United States and Cuba, and again at
night, when the members OF the dele
CATION were the guests of honor at q
state dinner at the white house.
The real business which brought
the delegation here was transacted
with Secretary Root at the war de-
partment, the president in the first
interview at the white house saying
to the delegation that he would con.
fer with the secretary, who would act
as his representative in conferences
over the Cuban situation Afterward
the delegation and Secretary Root
were eloseted for some hours in a
discussion of the relations of the
island to the United States.
Conference With Secretary Root.
The most important meeting of the
day was a conference in Secretary
Roots office. This was the first busi-
ness meeting, the others having been
social and formal. Those presen;
were the five Cuban delegates, their
interpreter, Secretary Root, General
Wood, Assistant Secretary Sanger,
Senior Gonzalez, General Woods sec.
rotary, who acted as interpreter a
great portion of the time. The army
officers who are acting as escort for
. ls,,1, Jfrr Nbff,
the meeting adjourned no official
statement was made as to the pro
ceedings, but it can be said that the
result was considered satisfactory,
both by the Cubans and Secretary
Root. The business was not com
pleted and the conference will reas.
semble this afternoon The fact that
the entire conversation had to be
through interpreters made it neces-
sary to proceed slowly.
1t was made plain to the Cubans by
Secretary Root that no modification
of the Platt amendment could be
made by the executive department of
the government, and the Cubans them
selves understand that there is little
possibility Of congressional action in
that direction. so the conference was
devoted largely to the construction
which could be placed upon the
amendment. The law states that the
propositions contained in the amend
ment shall be substantially agreed
to by the Cuhans and the discussion
revolyed chiefly around what will be
considered substantial" agreement
TO the Plat amendment requirements.
There was some very fine legal
sparring between Secretary Root and
Senior Capote, the president of the
constitutional convention, and chair
man of the delegation, as to the
meaning OF certain proposed drafts
OF the different propositions that were
considered. Both the secretary and
Senior Capote expressed their views
quite freely. The Intervention prop-
osition caused the most discussion.
and as this had received much con
sideration in the convention in Ha-
vana, the Cubans were familiar with
all phases of the construction that
might be placed upon it. All men-
bers of the delegation took more or
less part in the discussion and the
attention by Secretary Root.
Impressed With Desire to Deal Fairly.
1t was understood that the Cubans
are impressed with the desire on the
part of this government to deal fairly
by Cuba and the belief was expressed
that the delegation will take home
favorable reports of our intentions.
The delegation made no complaint
of the present military government
under General Wood
Aftpr a
Cubans called on General Wood at
the Richmond Today Secretary Root
will entertain the delegates at
luncheon.
General Wood expected to leave
here tonight. going TO New York
thence to Cuba. It is not known when
the Gubans will return, but the be-
lief was expressed that the business
which brought them here would be
concluded at the conference today.