Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1901-05-01
LAST WORDS TO CUBANS
The Delegates Have a Decisive Talk
With President Mckinley.
TRADE RELATIONS DISCUSSED

Tho Cuban Delegates Complete Their
Labors-They Make Final Plea For
Reciprocity - Tho President Promises
to Appoint n Commission IN Soon
as the Government IL Organized.
Washmgto: d. C.-The Cuban dele
CATION completed It's labors in Wash
ington on Saturday. In the morning
the delegates met Secretary Root
who escorted hem 10 the White House.
where they had final and decisive
talk with President Mckinley. Then
they paid Il visit OF courtesy to all the
nnally they started for New York City
homeward bound.
The proceedings ut the NNhi,e House
were interesting and important Scnor
Capote acted rs spokesman FOR the del
egation. He thanked the President
for the many courtcsies shown them,
which they accepted IS expressions oc
good will TO the Cuban people. He in-
vitcd the President to visit Cuba TO
gee for himself the conditions in the
island, and learn from contact with
the inhabitants OF the love and affcc-
United States, and their appreciation
OF what has been done for them by
this Government in their struggle for
freedom.
Senor Capote asked the President TO
do something for the Cuhans upon an
economic line, especially in the matter
of reciprocal trade relations He said
that it was especially desirable to have
something OF mis- kind done before the
next crop was harvested, in order that
the Cubans might realize the advan-
tages to them of closer political and
economic relations with the United
States.
Ia reply the President said it was
impossible to settle the economic Ques-
tions until the political questions were
disposed OF. He told the delegates TO
first form their Government, aud then
they would be in Il position to enter
into negotiations with the United
States as to trade relations
Senior Capote responded that SOM
thing ought TO he done while the Gu
ban Government was forming. He
thought that, while the United States
was exercising control. there might be
arrangements perfected similar to
these under 'ntcmplation by the Sec
retary OF War in 1898, when the Gov
hiSt i'N>SCu unutE control OF
the United States. He told the Presl.
dent that the Cuban Republic did not
wish to be born in poverty and rags.
and if it could not be wealthy, it would
ut least prefer to have something with
which to support itself, and to have its
people in prosperous conditions or
with prosperous conditions before
them.
The President again reverted TO the
fact that under the present conditions.
ns the Secretary OF War had advised
them. he did not see how it WAS pos
sible to settle any economic questions
before the Cuban Government was
formed. He would appoint Commits.
sioners Immediately after Govern
ment was organized to negotiate will,
similar commissioners from the Cuban
Government for reciprocal trade rela.
tions. and he believed that the United
States would he ready to deal i'm :,
manner which would be beneficial 10
both countries. He thanked the dele
CATION Tor the invitation to visit the
island, and told them to assure the
Cuban people OF his friendly interest
In them anu his desire to see them
contented and prosperous.
Senor Capote later said to n reporter:
we have concI..ded our business
mere. we nave mad two interview 4
with the President and four with the
Secretary of War, during which all
matters that we came here TO discuss
have had The fullest aad most minute
consideration. We came to consider
the relations h, wcen Cuba and the
United States and these, both political
and economical. have had the most
careful attention. We return to Cuba.
ana viii deliver 10 the constitutional
Convention all the information we
have obtained. information which is
highly important and interesting"
General Wood had an 'iour's tall,
with the President before his depar-
ture. He did not care to speak for
publication or give his opinion of the
result of the visit of the Cuban Com.
mission
There is general impression among
those who have been in close touch
with the Cuban delegates that they
VIII recommend the acceptance of the
Platt amendment 10y the Constitution.
al Convention when they return 10
havana. Secretary Root has made IL
pain to them that the amendment Is
the United States policy.