The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-03-27
They Were in Doubt at First, but
Frank Talks With the Leaders
Restored Confidence.

Washington. March Lieutenant Cen
erai Nelson A. Miles has returned to
Washington from havana confident that
Cuba viii accept the Platt amendment 10
the Army Appropriation law. defining the
relations that shall exist between the ISL
and and the unted States.
Although General Miles. accompanied by
his aid. Colonel u. n Whitney went to
Cuba to make military inspection. he
was charged by the president with a
special message to the cubans.
'Tell the people OF the island. the presi-
dent said TO General Miles. ''that the sc-
tion taken by Congress and the policy
pursued by the United States are for fthe
good. and that the questions confronting
them row are Insignificant compared with
the obstacles they have overcome.
Convey To them the best wishes OF the
American people for their prosperity and
Tie prosperity OF their island
General Miles visit undoubtedly had an
excellent effect upon the Cubans. especial
~ after they received from him the mes
sage sent by the y resident
CuBANs DOUBTFUL AT FIRST.
eat first" General Miles said. 'the Gu
pans seemed to be affected by "A feeling
of disirust. doubt. and uncertainty but
after talking with them very frankly,
they seemed To gain confidence. and !
stanfially accepted. Their doubt IL due
10 reports that have been circulated and
statements made to them regarding al
legged purposes Of the United States.
II did not go into details in speaking
with them, merely generally discussing
the Platt amendment DO not think
the coaling station feature OF the amend
ment is subject of objection. I explain
ed TO the Cubans that the coaling sta
tions were not 20 give the United states
any advantage over Cuba but ra ther to
rassment
- told them OF the presidents message.
OF the kindly feelings ne entertained Tor
them, OF his belief that the action OF
Congress was for their interest. and that
The questions before them now were insig-
nincant hi comparison with the obstacles
which they had overcome.
~ had an opportunity TO see a grea {
many representative men. They seemed To
be very much gratiicd hy their freedom
from European government. very hopeful
of the future and anxious for the welfare
and prosperity Of Cuba.
There seemed To be little feeling Of
doubt and uncertainty when | arrived I
was invited 70 the Convention hall and
while the convention was In session !
met its rr sident and many OF the dele
gates I talked very frankly 20 them and
gave them To understand that. as far as
knew. the action of our government had
heen friendly In the pa and I had every
confidence IL would be 80 In the future.
GRATEFUL TO THE UNITED STATES.
"The Plat amendment does not seem
"a me 90 BE- serious problem The Cu-
bans are very happy and very grateful 90
the United States for assisting them iu
their struggle for independence They are
all ~ work and happy and prosperous. II
- sltugethcr natter of opinion as GO
whethrr they are iit for elf-government.
Certainly they are as well qualified as ans
cf the repgblics south of the Rio Graude
General Miles was asked N the prospect
OF the acquisition OF the isle Of Pines hy
the United states was causing any com
ment I'm Cuba
There H. a question as TO whether the
isle ~ Pines does not belong to the
United States under the treaty of Paris 2
lie replied a'That treaty provides for the
yelinauishmeut ~ cuba hy Spain. and
then cedes Porto Rico and all othcr isl.
Spsin to the United states Under the
Iiaft amendment the disposition OF this
island H. left FOR future negotiation
DO not think " presents question of
importance.
Genera Miles added that the presiden-
sisl question IL attracting little interest
and he expressed tho opinion that General
Gomez would decline The ofrice Ia rendered
10 him.
We found American troops healthy and
the sanitary arrangements at the posts
excellent In connection with tho as
snrsnces given 10 the cubans bv General
Miles this statement from a speech he
delivered In Havana is quoted
ASSURANCES or GOOD WILL
III you Judge The present disnositior Of
the government and people OF tho tinted
states by their past history and import
ant acts concerning the people of Cuba
and her sister republics OF North and
south America, J trust YOU will receive