The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1901-04-19
CUBANS 70 SCI PRESIDENT
Commission Appointed by Constitu-
tional Convention to Leave
Havana Saturday.
GOV. GEN. WOOD IS ALSO COMING.
Will Present Commission to Presi-
dent-SenatOr Plat in Discussing
Situation in Cuba Declares His Be-
lief That in Time Islanders Will
Accept Our Overtures.

Havana, April 1.-THE commission
appointed by the Cuban constitution
al convention to go to Washington
and lay before President Mckinley
the desires of the convention regard
ing the future relations between
Cuba and the United States will
leave here Saturday. Gen. Wood will
present the commission to the presi-
dent. He will leave here Friday and
go to Washington by way of Tampa,
Fla.
The Cuban commission consists of
Seniors Diego Tamayo, Capote, Ber-
riel, Portuondo and Llorente.
Interview with Senator Plat.
New York, April Ex-senator Or
vile H. Platt, of Connecticut, author
of what is known as the "Platt
amendment" relating to Cuba, is at
the Murray Hill hotel. In an inter
view he said:
''The real essence of the propositions of
this government is that the Cubans rec
ognize the right of the United States to
maintain the independence of Cuba and the
stability of its government. That right
once being recognized by the Cuban con-
stitution, there will be no trouble about the
enforcement. All will be plain sailing.
'They property owners and conservative
classes in Cuba almost unanimously desire
the protection of this government thos5
opposed to it do not count for much.
Most of the people in this country do
not understand the real feeling in Cuba.
The news reports from Havana have been
very conflicting They are almost as un-
cfxx-o NJ x-o hn oh
last year about the Boxer troubles.
ga few days ago the Platt amendment
was reported defeated in the Cuban consti-
tutional convention by vote of "a to 2.
little later the vote was given as IS to 10.
AS a matter of fact final action has not
been taken.
Attitude of People.
elm reality little interest is manifested in
Cuba in the convention. Many people there
have not even heard of it. The property
owners took very little interest in the cleo
ton of delegates, believing that in any
event the American government would pro-
tect them and their property. No interest
was shown by the large colored population
in the convention. Many of the delegates
have no interests at stake, but want to
figure as patriots. Some of the members
are old revolutiOnists, officers in the in
surgent army and lawyers, while some are
mere adventures. Some of them seem to
think that the Spanish yoke having been
thrown off, they ought to come in and take
possession.
But Few Hostile.
"Yet one-third of the members of the
convention are friendly to the United
States and appreciate what we have done
and what we intend to do for Cuba; an
other third is hostile to America and the
balance are Indifferent. 1t is the members
of the hostile element who are making all
the noise and attempting to create be-
lief that Cnbans do not want this govern
ment They are misrepresenting the facts
The two most important elements of the
Cubans-the property owners and the
workingmen-heartily favor the proposals
of the United States and rely on the con-
tinued assistance OF our government
'In the course of time all Cubans will
accept the overtures of the American gov
eminent in letter and spirit, unless the agi-
tators convince the people we are Cypress
ing them, something l believe they will
not succeed in doing"