Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-27
MAKE FAREWELL CALL
Cuban Delegates Have Another In
terview With the President.
WANT some RECIPROCITY IN TRADE
Believed They VIII Favor Platt
Amendment.
EXCHANGE OF GOOD WISHES

The delegates from the Cuban constitu-
tionaI convention practically closed up to-
day the principal business which brought
them to Washington. In the morning the
delegates called upon Secretary Root at the
War Department and by him were escorted
first to the State Department and then to
the White House. The party reached the
White House at II o'clock and was imme-
diately ushered into the presence of the
President in the blue paror. The call was
for the special purpose of saying farewell
to the President prior to his departure for
the west, but 1t lasted nearly three-quar-
ters of an hour and was marked by the
exchange of several significant statements
by the President and members of the dele
CATION.
Reciprocity in Trade Wanted.
Senior Capote was spokesman for the dele
gates. He thanked the President for the
courtesies which had been showered
them and said they accepted them not
special attentions to themselves, but
kindnesses extended through them to the
Cuban people. He invited the President to
visit Cuba. not merely az q matter of cOur
teSy. but with sincere desire to have him
come and for himself the conditions
in the islands and learn from contact with
the Cuban people the love and affection
which they have for the United States and
their appreciation of what had been done
for them by the United States in their
great struggle for freedom. He also asked
the President to do something for the Gu
bans upon an economic line. especially in
the matter of reciprocal trade relations.
He said that it especially desira ble
that something of this kind be done before
the next crop was harvested in order that
the Cubans might thus realize advantages
of closer political and economic relations
with the United States.
Government Must Be Formed.
In reply the President said that it was
impossible TO settle the economic questions
until the political questions We're disposed
OF. He told the delegates to first form their
government and then they would be in a
position to enter in negotiations with the
United States as to trade relations between
the countries.
Senior Capote responded to this by saying
that something ought to be done while the
Cuban government was forming. He
thought that while the United States was
exercising control that there might be ar
rangements perfected similar to those
der contemplation by the Secretary of War
in 1S9S, when the government first passed
under control of the United States He told
the President that the Cuban republic did
not wish to be born into the world in pow
erty and rags, but that If 1t could not be
wealthy il would at least prefer to have
something substantial with which to sup
Gus conditions with such conditions i'm
mediately before them.
Promise to Appoint COmmissioners
The President reverted to the fact that
the Secretary Of War had advised them
that he did not see how under existing
conditions it was possible to settle the
economic questions while the government
was not formed. He added that he would
appoint commissioners Immediately AFTER
na6 toto
with similar commissioners from the
Cuban government for reciprocal trade re-
lations, and he believed that the United
States would be ready to deal in a man.
ner which would be beneficial to both
countries. He thanked the delegation 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 prosperous.
Senor Capote. talking 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 replied that on the con-
trary the arguments of SenOr Capote and
his knowledge of the matters which ne had
discussed had his highest appreciation.
and had increased his admiration and re-
spect for the legal abilities and keenness
of the Cuban people.
This practically closed the interview with
the President and the final handshakes oc-
Cured as they left the President. The
drew indicated satisfaction with the re-
suits of the visit. AS one Of them said 1t
had served to increase the favorable i'm
preston they had already received.
Business Practically Closed.
For the first time there were intimations
from some Of the delegates that their bust
ness practically closed, and that
they might be able to get away very soon,
possibly tonight This however. they said.
would be determined later, after they had
made social calls many officials.
The delegates have received an invitation
from the Grant Memorial Association of
New York to be present al dinner at the
Waldorf tonight but they do not expect to
close up their affairs in time to accept
Another invitation came from number Of
New Workers interested In business in
Cuba for dinner at such time as they
may designate. They Ill accept this invi-
tation. The Army and Navy Club here has
extended to each of the members of the
delegation the COurtesies Of the club during
his stay. The delegates wish TO make pub
lie acknowl ledgment for these and many
other invitations and courtesies extended
TO them.
Attitude on PIatt Amendment.
There is d general impression among
those who have been in close touch with
the Cuban delegates that they will recon-
mend the acceptance of the Platt amend
ment by the constitutional convention
when they return to Havana. Secretary
Root has made il plain to them that the
Amendments * he. mite