The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-04-30
CUBAN DELEGATES
START FOR HOME
Capote Asked For Help Along
Economic Lines.
MCKINLEY PUT HIM OFF
(By the Associated Press.l

delegation completed its laborS IN
Washington today. In the morning the
delegates met Secretary Root, who es-
corted them to the White House, where
they had final and decisive talk with
the President. Then they paid visits
of courtesy to each of the officials
whom they have met, and finally theJ
started for New York at II o'clock to-
night. homeward bound. They will sail
for Havana Wednesday. The proceed
ings at the White House were inter-
estings and important.
Senior Capote acted as spokesman for
the delegation. He thanked the Presi-
dent for the many courtesies shown
them, which they accepted as an ex-
preston of good will to the Cuban peo-
pie. He invited the President to visit
Cuba, to 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 and their apprecia-
ton of what had been done for them
by this Government in their struggle
for freedom
Senior Capote asked the President ID
do something for the Cubans upon an
economic line especially in the matter
of reciprocal trade relations. He said
that it was especially desirable to have
something of this kind done before the
next crop was harvested, in order that
the Cubans might realize the advan-
tages to them of closer political and
economic relations with the United
States
In reply the President said it was i'm
HI
til the political questions were dis
posed of He told the delegates to
first form their government and thea
they would be in a position to enter
into negotiations with the United
States as to trade relations.
Senior 9Capote responded that some
thing ought to be done while the Cuban
Government was forming. He thought
that while the United States was ex
ercising control there might be ar
rangements perfected similar to those
under contemplation by the Secretary
of War in 1898 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 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 pros
porous conditions Immediately before
them.
The President again reverted to the
fact that under the present conditions,
as the Secretary of War had advised
them, he did not see how it was pos
sible to settle any economic questions
before the Cuban Government was
formed. He would appoint commits
sers Immediately government wos or
ganized to negotiate with similar conf
misgioners from the Cuban Government
for reciprocal trade relations and he be-
lieved that the United States would be
ready to deal in a manner which would
be beneficial to both countries. He
thanked the delegation for the Invita-
ton to visit the island and told them TO
assure the Cuban people cf his friendly
interest in them and his desire to see
them contented and prosperous
Senior Capote, speaking 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 offerl-
sive. The Secretary replied that on
the contrary he highly appreciated the
arguments of Senior Capote and his
creased his admiration and respect for
the legal abilities and keennesS of the
Cuban people.
The delegates then shook hands with
the President and departed.
General Capote later said to an Asso-
ciated Press reporter:
I'VE have concluded our business
here. We have had two interviews with
the President and four with the Secrn-
tary of War, during which all matters
that we came here to discuss have ha6
the fullest and most minute considera-
ton. We came TO consider the rela-
tions between Cuba and the United
States and these, both political ard
economical. have had the most careful
attention.. We return to Cuba and viii
deliver to the Constitutional Conven-
ton all the information we have oh
tanned. information which is highly I'm
portant and interesting.
General Capote spoke in high terms
of Secretary Root He said that the
questions were of national Importance
and that the conferences We're Goa.
Quoted with the care that the serious
matters under consideration demanded.
General Wood also left tonight fer
Florida whence he will sail on a Gov
eminent vessel for Cuba. Mrs. Wood,
who came on with the Governor
General to visit her sister who was
formerly Miss Condit- Smith, whom she
had not seen since the latter's eX-
perience in Pekin during the seige there
returned with her husband. General
Wood had an hours talk with the
President today before his departure
He did not care to speak for publication
of his opinion of the result of the visit
OF the Cuban commission.
There has been mutual understand
ing between the parties to the confer
ences that have been held that l9
specific statement as to results should
be given out on either side in advance
of the commissions report to the Con
stitutional Convention There ar
many political jealousies among tin
Cubans at home and General Wood sale
that anything made public at this tins
might be liable to misconstruction ane
lead to friction. General Wood. how
ever does not hesitate to state thu
the C'ubans have been impressed Wit