New-York tribune., 1901-04-28
LAST WORDS TO CUBANS.
DECISIVE TALK WITH THE
PRESIDENT.
TRADE RELATIONS DISCUSSED-A COM
MISSION TO BE APPOINTED WHEN
CUBAN GOVERNMENT Is FORMED.


Washington April 27.-The Cuban commission
completed it's labors in Washington to-day. In
the morning the delegates met Secretary Root,
who escorted them to the White House. where
they had final and decisive talk with the Presi-
dent Then they paid visit of courtesy TO all
the officials whom they have met and finally
they started for NewYork. at IL o'clock to-
night, homeward bound. They will sail for
Havana on Wednesday. The proceedings al the
White House interesting and important.
Seior Capote acted as spokesman for the delega-
ton. He thanked the President for the many
courtesies shown them. which they accepted as
expressions OF goodwill to the Cuban people. He
invited the President to visit Cuba, to see for
himself the conditions of the island and learn
from contact with the habitants of the love
and affection which the Cubans have for the
United States and their appreciation Of what has
been done for them by this government in their
struggle for freedom.
Sehor Capote asked the President to do some
thing for the Cubans on economic lines. particu-.
larly in regard to reciprocal trade relations. He
said it especially desirable to have some
thing done before the next crop was harvested
In order that the Cubans might realize the ad-
vantages TO them OF closer political and eco
nOmic relations with the United States.
In reply the President said ii was impossible
to settle the economic questions until the politi-
cal questions were disposed Of He told the
delegates to form their government first. and
then they would he in position to enter into
negotiations with the United States as to trade
relations.
PLEA FOR RECIPROCITY.
Senior Capote replied that something ought to
be done while the Cuban Government was being
formed He thought that while the United
States was exercising control arrangements
might be perfected similar to those contemplated
by the Secretary Of War in 1898 when the gov
ernment first passed under control Of the United
states. He told the President that the Cuban
Republic did not wish to be born in poverty and
rags. and If it could not be wealthy 1t would at
least prefer 10 have something with which to
support itself and to have it's people in pros
porous conditions with prosperous conditions
before them.
The President again said that under the pres
ent conditions the Secretary of War had ad-
-vlsed them. he did not how 1t was possible
to settle any economic questions before the
Cuban Government was formed. He would ap-
point commissioners Immediately after gov
ernment was organized to negotiate with similar
commissioners from the Cuban Government for
reciprocal trade relations. and he believed that
the United States would be ready to deal with
them in a manner which would be beneficial to
both countries He thanked the delegates for
the invitation to visit the island and told them
to assure the Cuban people OF his friendly in
terest in them and his desire to them n
tented and prosperous.
Senor Capote speaking to Secretary Root ex-
pressed the hope that in the interviews that had
been held he had said nothing in his earnest
ness, which in any way offensive. The
Secretary replied that on the contrary, he highly
appreciated the arguments of Sehor Capote. and
his knowledge of the questions at issue had in
creased his admiration and respect for the legal
abilities and keenness of the Cuban people.
The delegates then shook hands with the Pres-
dent and departed.
SENIOR CAPOTES STATEMENT
Senior Capote later said to an Associated Press
reporter
We have concluded business here. We
have had interviews with the President
and four with the Secretary of War in which
all matters that came here to discuss have
had the fullest and most minute consideration
We to consider the relations between Cuba
and the United States. and these, both political
and economical, have had the most careful at
tention. We return to Cuba. and will deliver
to the Constitutional Convention all the informa-
ton have obtained, information which is
highly important and interesting.
Sehor Capote spoke in high terms of Secretary
Root. He said that the questions We're of ma
tional Importance, and that the conferences
were conducted with the care that the serious
matters under consideration demanded.
GENERAL WOOD RETURNING 70 CUBA
General Wood started tonight for Florida.
whence he will sail a government vessel
for Cuba. Mrs Wood. who on with the
Governor General to visit her sister, who was
formerly Miss Condit- Smith. whom she had not
seen since the latters experience In Peking
during the siege there. returned with her hus-
band. General Wood had hours talk with
the President to-day before his departure.