Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-05-02

Washington, April 28.-The cuban
delegation completed its labors IN
Washington yesterday. In the morn
ing the delegates met Secretary Rool,
who escorted them to the white mouse,
where they had final, decisive talk
with the president. Then they PAID
visits of course to each OF the officials
whom they have met and finally
started for New York, homeWard
bound. They sail for Havana, We'd
nesday The proceedings at the white
house were interesting and important.
Senior Capote acted as spokesman for
the delegation. He thanked the presl-
dent for the many cOurteSles shown
them, which they accepted as express
sions of good will to the Cuban people.
He invited the president to visit Cuba
and see for himself the conditions in
the islands and learn from contact
with the inhabitants Of the love and
affection which the Cubans have for
the United States, their appreciation
of what has been done for them by
this government in the struggle for
freedom Senior Capote asked the
president to do something for the
Cubans upon an economic line, es-
pecially in the matter of reciprocal
trade relations He said it was es-
pecially desirable to have something
of this kind done before the next crop
is harvested, in order that Cubans
may realize it's advantages to them of
closer, political and economic rela-
tons with the United States.
In reply the president said it was
impossible to settle the economic
questions until the political questions
we're disposed of. He told the dele
gates to first form a government and
then they would be in a position to
enter into negotiations with the
United States as to trade relations
Senior Capote responded that some
thing ought to be done while Cuban
government was forming. He thought
while the United States was eXercis-
ing control there might be some ar
rangements perfected similar to those
under contemplation by the secretary
of war in 1898, when the government
first passed under the 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 it would at
least prefer to have something with
which to support itself and to have its
people in prosperous conditions or
with prosperous conditions immed-
lately before them. The president
again reverted to the fact that under
present conditions the secretary OF
war had advised them that he did not
see how it was possible to settle any
of the economic questions before the
Cuban government was formed. He
would appoint commissioners immed-
lately after the government was Or
ganized to negotiate with similar COM
missioners from the Cuban govern
ment for reciprocal trade relations. He
believed the United States would be
ready to deal in any manner which
might be beneficial to both countries.
He thanked the delegation for the in
vitation to visit the island and told
them to assure the Cubans of his
friendly interest in them and his de-
sire to see them contented and pros
porous.
General Capote later said: I'VE con-
cluded our business here. We had
two interviews with the president and
four with the secretary of war, dur
ing which all matters we came to dis
cuss had the fullest and most minute
consideration. We came to consider
relations between Cuba and the
United States and these had the most
careful attention. We return to Cuba
and will deliver to the constitutional
convention all the information we
have obtained and which we as Gu
bans consider interesting.
General Wood also left last night
for Florida whence he will sail on a
government vessel for Cuba. Wood
had AN hours talk with the president
yesterday before his departure He
stated that the Cubans have been i'm
pressed with the treatment they have
received and the attentions shown
them and say they will return with a
more correct understanding of the
terms of the Platt amendment and of
the sincere desire Of the American
government to put Cuba on her feet
as an Independent government than
they had before