The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-04-25
PRICE ONE CENT.
CUBANSSBB THE PRESIDENT
Convention Commissioners ReceiY
ed at the White House.

ence at the War Departmeft-No
Reference to InsuIar independence
The members Of the Commission from
the Cuban Constitutional Convention
| called at the White House this morn
ing and were presented to the Presi-
| dent No attempt was made to go into
a, discussion Of the relations between
| the United States and Cuba. The Pres
| ident met the delegates IN the Blue Par
| lor and the reception accorded them
was a very cordial one The Cubans
| left the Write House very much i'm
| pressed by the greeting extended to
| them. {
The audience lasted for about half an
hour. The time set for the appearance
Of the delegation at the White House
was II o'clock, but it was considerably
| later when they arrived
| Before going 10 the White House the
Commission, escorted by two army Of
fcers, visited the Secretary of War and
held a conference Of about an hour. at
which Governor General Wood was
present. Secretary Root talked with
the members Of the Commission
| through an interpreter President ca
pote first explained 10 the Secretary Of
War the purpose of the Commissions
visit, and later each member made
statements in regard to the attitude of
| the convention toward the Platt amend
ment
Not once was the subject of the inde-
pendence Of the island suggested by the
Commission. They made particular
mention of the economic condition OF
Cuba, particularly with reference to a
/ proposed change in the United States
| duties on Cuban imports.
It is evident from statements made
| by the Commission to Secretary Root
| that they hope to secure from the Pres
ideRt some assurance that Congress will
| ultimately grant free trade with Cuba
| and that the opposition to the Piatt
| amendment is organized for the pur-
/ pose Of forcing such concessions from
| the United States Government.
Secretary Root told the Commissions
| ers that the President could not prom
ise any reduction IT the tariff, as Con
sress alone had authority to do that
He supported General Woods state
ments made TO members CT the conven-
| ton in Havana that the Platt amend
ment should first be adopted and the
/ Cuban govern nent established Con-
gress would then be able to enact leg
fslation looking to reciprocal CONNER
cial relations with Cuba He pointed
out the difficulty of endeavoTing to ne
gotiate for special trade reIetions in the
absence Of a Cuban government in the
island.
FrcIn the War Department the Com
mission was escorted to the White
House by Secretary Root, Assistant
Secretary Sanger, and General Wood.
They were at once ushered into the
Blue Room where the President was
waiting The FIVE delegates were ac-
companied by their Interpreter, Senior
Pedro II. EnteHza, and Captain Saw
teile and Lieutenant Overton, in uni
form, representing the army
General Wood formally. presented the
Cubans to the President, who greeted
each member warmly as he was intro
duced- Senior Diego Tomayo acted as
spokesman for his colleagues and ad-
dressed the President in Spanish. HIS
:
tenza.
Sener TomayO spoke in grateful ap-
probation Of what the United States
had done for Cuba and in a formal way
briefly outlined the purposes OF the
Commissions visit to Washington. The
President replied, extending to the vis-
itors a cordial welcome TO the Capital.
After leaving the White House the
Cubans went for a short drive about
the city, while Secretary Root, Asst
ant Secretary Sanger, and General
Wood remained for q time IN confer
ence with the President
There remain but two more working
days before the departure Of the PresI-
dent upon the Western trip. 1t is prob
able that the Cubans will have a con-
ference with the President before he
leaves, but the principal portion of
their business viii be transacted with
Secretary Root, who, at the request Of
the President, has taken matters in
hand, and viii be able to give the Com
missioneTs as much consideration as
the President himself In fact, it is
said that Secretary Root is authorized
20 make the Presidents position
known to the visitors. Until something
more definite in regard to their mission
and its results are reached no state
ment VIII be made either by Secretary
Root or General Wood
They have carefully gone over the en-
tire situation with the President and
are in a position to speak for him They
viii hold conference with the Com
rnissioners at TIE War Department this
afternoon.
Elaborate preparations are being
made for the State dinner at the White
House tonight in honor OF the visiting
Cubans. The rooms viii be profusaIy
decorated with flowers and everything
is being done to make the occasion not
only an enjoyable but an impressive
one to the CubdRs. Covers will be laid
fer about fifty guests, including the
members Of the Cabinet. number Of
Senators who are especially interested
in the Cuban question. some Of the
prominent officers of the army and
navy. and other officials. There viii be
no ladies present.
The Northwestern Sails.
CHICAGO. April z5-Tha steamship
Northwestern. the first ocean going yes
sci TO ply between Chicago and foreign