New-York tribune., 1901-04-26
PRICE THREE CENTS.
CUBANS MEET PRESIDENT.
ENCOURAGING PROGRESS TOWARD an
UNDERSTANDING.
COMMISSIONERS VISIT WHITE HOUSE AND
WAR DEPARTMENT-CONDUC OF Ne
GoTIATIoNs TURNED OVER TO
SECRETARY ROOT.
Isr TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1Brxr.I


Washington. April 25-Encouraging progress
was made to-day in arriving at an understand
ing as TO the permanent relations that to
exist between this country and Cuba. II Is true
that the five commissioners representing the
Cuban Constitutional Convention still are deter
mined if possible to secure some notifications
of the PIatt amendment although their guarded
utterances indicate that they not as hopeful
of achieving this result they were when they
left Havana. While the issues involved have
only been referred to by the visitors in general
and somewha. vague terms. the responses they
have ELECTED from everybody with whom they
have discussed the subject plainly have had a
depressing effect on them IN the sense that
they beginning TO comprehend that thr
President Is powerless to grant their re-
quests. even If he were disposed TO do So
The progress made in the negotiations goes no
further than an assurance given to the Cubans
that they will be permitted TO hold general
election next October for the choice of the first
officers of their republic. provided in the mean
time their constitutional convention adopts IN
It's entirety the PIatt amendment. This proposi-
tion was made to them tentatively at the last
conference they held to-day with the Secretary
OF War. They have not yet responded TO it in
any form. are they expected to do so until
they ready 10 return to Cuba When this
will be cannot now be told. The commissioners
show a disposition to proceed deliberately. and
in order not TO give them any cause of complaint
on that score Secretary Root. at the suggestion
of the President has decided not to accompany
the Presidents party TO the Pacific Coast. but
TO remain here for the purpose of bringing the
negotiations with the Cubans 70 close at the
earliest practicable date. This decision indi-
Gates that the President has turned the whole
case over 10 Secretary Root and before he
leaves Washington he will so inform the Cuban
visitors 1t is believed that they have already
learned this important fact. and are preparing
to govern themselves accordingly
Following the programme mapped out yester-
day the commissioners called on the Secretary
of War in a body at IL o'clock this morning.
They were escorted from their hotel 70 the War
Department by Governor-General Wood and
Captain Sawtelle and Lieutenant Overton. who
speak Spanish huently and have been detailed
by Acknowledgement Corbil TO look after the
comfort and pleasure Of the Cuban visitors
After a brief informal talk with the Secretary
of War. he escorted them to the White House.
where the President was awaiting them IN the
Blue Room General Wood introduced the Wis
itors TO the President and for about half hour
Fluctuations were exchanged between the Presi-
dent and his callers. Senior Tanayo, speaking
in Spanish for his fellow commissioners, assured
the President that their mission was one OF
peace and good feeling ana the fresioent re-
sponded in similar spirit. the speeches OF both
being interpreted by the official interpreter who
accompanies the Cubans. Without touching IN
detail on the subject of their visit. the Cubans
returned TO their hotel from the White House
for luncheon. and held more extended confer
ence this afternoon with the Secretary OF War
Tonight they were the guests of the President
at dinner and they met AT the White House
board some of the most distinguished men o,
the nation. irrespective of party
The Cubans We're delighted with the attention
shown to them and the cordality with which
their views on the questions of moment to them
were received. The observations they made
convinced some OF the guests at least that the
tariff is the key to the situation and the opin-
ion is expressed that if sufficient concessions
are made by this government In the duties on
sugar and tobacco the main features OF the
Platt amendment may be adjusted 70 the COM
mon satisfaction OF the United States and the
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