The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-28
ScnOr CapOte Asked that Reciprocal
Trade Relations BE Estab-
Iished at Once.
TIME NOT RIPE FOR ACTION
POLITICAL QUESTION MUST BE SET
TIED FIRST OF ALL.
President VIII Name Commissioners
to Discuss Economic Questions
When Government Is Formed.

NASHlNGION, April 2. - The Cuban
delegation completed its labors in Wash
iDgton to-day. In the morning the dele
gates met Secretary Root. who escorted
them to the White House, where they had Il
final and decisive talk with the President
Then they paid visits of courtesy to each
OF the officials whom they have met, and
tonight they started for New York. They
sail for Havana Wednesday. AT the White
House Senor Capote, spokesman for the
delegation, thanked the President for the
many courtesies shown them, which they
accepted as expressions of good will TO the
Cuban people. He invited the President to
visit Cuba, see conditions in the island
and learn of the affection which the Gu
hans have for the United States and their
appreciation of what has been done for
them by this government.
Senor Capote asked the President 10 do
something for the Cubans in the manner
of reciprocal trade relations before the
next crop was harvested, that the Cubans
may realize the advantages 10 them of
closer political and economic relations with
the United States.
The President said il was impossible TO
settle economic questions ahead of political
questions. He told the delegates to form
their government and then enter into trade
negotiations with the United States.
Senior Capote responded that something
ought to be done while the Cuban govern
ment was forming. He thought that while
the United States was exercising control
there might be arrangements perfected
similar to those under contemplation 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 il could not be
wealthy. it would at least prefer to have
something with which to support itself,
and to have its people in prosperous cond-
tions with prosperous conditions imme-
diately before them.
The President again said he did not see
how it was possible to settle economic ques-
tions before the Cuban government was
formed. He would appoint commissioners
Immediately after a government was or
ganiZed to negotiate with similar commits
sioners from the Cuban government for
reciprocal trade relations, and he believed
that the United States would be ready to
deal in a manner which would be beneficial
10 both countries. He thanked the dele
cation for the invitation to visit the island,
and told them TO assure the Cuban people
of his friendly interest in them and his
desire to see them contented and prosper
Gus.
Senior Capote. speaking to Secretary Root,
expressed the hope that in the interviews
that had been held he had said nothing
in his earnestness and argument, which was
in any way offensive The secretary re-
piled that, the contrary, he highly
appreciated the arguments of Senior Capote
and his knowledge of the questions had
increased his admiration and respect for
the legal abilities and keenness of Cuban
people. The delegates then shook hands
with the President and departed
General Capote spoke ia high terms of
Secretary Root. He said that the questions
we're of national Importance and that the
conferences were conducted with the care
that the serious matters under considera-
tion demanded
General Wood also left tonight for Flor
ida, whence he will sail on a government
vessel for Cuba. Mrs. Wood, who came on
with the governor general to visit her sis
ter, who was formerly Miss Condit-Smith
whom she had not seen since the latters
experience in Peking during the siege there
returned with her husband. General Wood
had an hours talk with the President to-
day before his departure. He did not care
to speak for publication of his opinion of
the result of the visit of the Cuban COM
mission. There are many political jealousies
among the Cubans at home. and General
Wood said If anything were made public at
this time 1T might be liable TO misconstruc-
tion and lead to friction. General Wood
says the Cubans have been impressed with
the treatment they have received here and
they return home with a better under
standing of the Platt amendment and of
the sincere desire of the American govern
ment 70 put Cuba on her feet as an inue-
pendent government.