The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-25
CUBANS in WASHINGTON
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION DELE
GATES AT THE CAPITAL.
Will Visit the War Department To.
Day and Later Be Introduced
to the President.

WASHINGTON, April 2i.-The commits
stitutional convention, consisting of Do
mingo Mandez Capote, Petro E. Betan-
court. Rafael NJ. Portuondo. Diego Tamayo
and Pedro Gonzalez Llorente. who were
sent to Washington to confer with the
President regarding Cuban relations with
this country. arrived here this morning, to-
gether with an interpreter and representa-
tives Of the Havana press. They were met
at the station by Assistant Secretary of
State Hill, Assistant Secretary of War
Sanger, Captain Sawtelle ard Lieutenant
Overton. of the United States army, de-
tailed for that purpose. and escorted to the
Shoreham. The delegates conversed with
the reception committee through an inter-
prefer, though most of them speak English
very well. Ii was stated that arrange
ments for their visit to the President would
be made through the War Department.
General Wood, military Governor of Gu
ba, also arrived this morning with his
family, and took apartments at the Rich
mond. He came TO the War Department
and had a conference with Assistant Sec
rotary Sanger. He sent his secretary TO
call on the Cuban delegation to ascertain
their desires for the day I'm order that he
might be able to act as their escort, either
to the White House or the War Depart
ment- General Wood has no direct infor-
nation from General Whiteside regarding
the reported troubles at Santiago, but be-
fore he left Cuba he had been informed
by General Whiteside that party strife was
making some trouble in that municipality
and hat disorders might be anticipated
during the spring elections in other sections
OF the island. After that. however. IL is ex-
pected the usual tranquility of the island
will be resumed.
The delegates remained at their hotel,
resting, most of the morning. Quite a num-
Der of officials called. including Assistant
Secretary Holl for the State Department
and Assistant Secretary Sanger, of the
War Department. who left cards individu-
ally 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, he answered that the
delegation felt II would be diScourteous 20
enter on a discussion of their business be-
fore they had called on the secretary of
war. Arrangements have been made at the
War Department by which the secretary of
war will receive the delegation at IL o'clock
tomorrow morning. and probably will es-
cort them to the White House about that
time.
General Wood reached the War Depart-
ment shortly after 3 o'clock, and after a
brief talk with Adjutant General Corbin he
held with Secretary Root a conference on
Cuban affairs. Senator Plat. of Connecti-
cut, chairman of the committee on Cuban
affairs, Assistant Secretary Sanger and
Admiral Bradford, chief of the bureau of
equipment. Navy Department. were pres
ent. The ~latter's presence was desired,
as the location OF coaling stations in Cuba
is to be made upon his recommendation.
The conference was private.
1t is gathered that, next to the subjects
of coaling stations and the right of the
United States TO Intervene in Cuba in the
interests of peace and order, the Cuban at
tach most Importance 10 the subject of
sugar duties. The commission is trying
10 secure a remission OF the United States
duty on Cuban sugar. Il Is suggested that
If this cannot be done at once. then the
a percentage each year until the sugar is
duty free. The President cannot grant this
request. as it involves a change in the
tariff laws, and therefore application must
be had to Congress. This may take the
shape of direct joint legislation by the two
houses or il can be accomplished by the
negotiation of a reciprocity treaty-the
Cubans, IL is believed. prefer the latter.
Tobacco 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 want a
considerable abatement. in favor Of their
own tobacco. of the extremely high tariff
imposed by the Dingley act upon all i'm
ported tobaccOs.
After a conference lasting for more than
Wood left the War Department together
for lunch. Ii was stated that there was
nothing regarding the conference that
could be made public