Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-25
CUBANS WELCOMED
Received by Secretaru Root and
Presented to the President.
CORDIAL GREETING AT WHITE HOUSE
Matters VIII Probably Be Dis
cussed at Tonight's Dinner.
FLUCTUATIONS ENCH ANGED

The delegation sent by the Cuban censti-
tutional convention to discuss with the
President the legislation known as the Platt
amendment began their round of official
visits and conferences today by going to
the War Department at II o'clock for the
first formal meeting with Secretary Root,
and then being escorted by him to the
White House for meeting with the Pres
ident At the hotel to accompany them on
their rounds were two officers of the
United States army in fatigue uniform
Captain Sawtelle and Lieutenant Overton.
The delegates held informal meetings early
in the day to discuss their plans. but these
Were left largely to the suggestion of the
officials here. Shortly before II o'clock the
delegates appeared in a body at the en-
trance of their hotel and were photograph
ed along with the army officers AS they
We're thus grouped the commission present
ed rather imposing appearance. Their
dark faces indicated their Cuban origin.
and they looked like a party of prosperous
business men. all of them wearing dark
clothing and silk hats, being dressed with
that formaiGy which accompanies official
calls They took their carriages to the War
Department., where they were escorted up
stairs to the large reception room leading
to Secretary Roots private office.
Conference at the Department.
Prior To The arrival of the delegation at
the War Department Gen. Wood entered
the Secretarys office. and was there when
the visitors were shown in. The delegati ton
called first al the office of Assistant Secre-
tary Sanger, and then was shown into Mr.
Roots private office by Col Sanger. Capt
Sawteile and Lieut.. 0verton and Mr. Com
zalez. secretary 10 Gen. Wood, were present
during the conference at the War Depart
ment- 1t is understood Mr.. Gonzalez is a
fluent Spanish speaker. and he was also
asked to he present at the conference at
the White House. About hour con-
sumed in discussion of Cuban affairs in
the War Department. when the delegation
left for the White House. Secretary Root
Gen Wood and Assistant Secretary Sanger
walked across to the White House. while
the members of the delegation went over
in their carriages. The delegates were ac-
companied to the White House by Capt
Sawtelle and Lieut.. OvertOn.
On leaving the departing Mt Secretary Root
said that the discussion Of the Cuban af-
fairs with the commission would be consid-
cred private, and that public statement
would be made as TO any propositions the
delegates might submit or the character
OF any reply that would be made to them
by the President or the Secretary of War.
Presented to the President.
The President and Secretary Cortelyou
were awaiting the visitors in the blue room
where formal presentation was made by
Secretary Root.
The audience was entirely of a formal
character. Diego Tamayo the chairman of
the delegation and a member of Cen
Woods cabinet. addressed President Nc
klnley. through the interpreter, Pedro NJ
Entenza, formally expressing the pleasure
OF himself and colleagues over the privi-
lege of meeting the President of the United
states. The President replied in kind and
there was a general exchange of formal
Fluctuations, in which all the delegates
Joined.
Desires of the Cubans.
Sener Capote, In his address to the Pres
1dent. spoke Of the desire of the Cubans to
have the closest possible relations with
the United States He said that United
States soldiers and Cubans had fought side
by side and driven Spain out of the island
and the ties between the two countries
We're bound I'm blood The relationship
therefore, between the countries should al
ways he most amicable and closer than
that which usually exists between nations.
He ais" spoke of the gratitude which Cuba
feit toward the United States for the as
sistance rendered IN her Liberation.
The Presidenrs Response.
In response the President expressed his
pleasure at meeting the delegates, and ce-
sired through them to extend his kindest
wishes 10 the people of the island. He said
that his interest in Cuba had always been
very great. and he made reference to mes
sages he had sent to Congress concerning
the island. Its welfare would always be
the subject of his most earnest considera-
tiOn. He congratulated the members of
the delegation upon being members of the
Cuban constitutional convention. He said
II was a high honor. and il fell to the lot
OF but few men to have the opportunity to
frame government for republic. Con-
cerning the object Of the delegations visit.
the President said he would confer with
Secretary he
having an intimate knowledge of the situa-
tion, would confer further with the delega-
tiOn.
Assurances Given the Delegates.
Notwithstanding the reticence of all the
parties to the conference, it is understood
that the delegates have been assured that
the United States has only the best and
kindest of motives toward Cuba, and that
Ii was serious mistake for any one to
imagine that this government desired the
night TO interfere in the affairs of the pro-
posed republic and also to establish naval
stations the island for any purpose
other than the best interests of the Cuban
people and their protection against for
eign interference In other words while
the United States wants the right to in
terfere in the internal affairs Of Cuba in
case of necessity In order to preserve peace
ard good order. the Cuhans are given to
understand that this privilege will never be
exercised without good and sufficient rea-
Sons.
The Right of Intervention.
1t is understood that this implied right
TO interfere without regard to the wishes
OF the government of Cuba is one of the
main grounds of objection on the part of
the Independents of Cuba to the PIatt reso-
lutions- They desire. It is said to have
Cuba put on the same plane as the states
OF the mon in this respect, so that the
general government will be prohibited from
interfering except at the instance of the
Cuban government, except in the single
case of foreign invasion. The Secretary of
War, II is said, assured the Cuban dele
gates that they could rely on the good
faith Of the United States in that matter
as il was not at all likely that this govern
ment would interfere with the internal af-
fairs of Cuba unless it was actually neces-
sary for the preservation of Cuban soNer-