Daily Kennebec journal., 1901-04-26
CUBAN DELEGATES
Call on Secretary Root and
President Mckinley.
Visit to Latter devoted Wholly to Ex-
change Of Formal Courtesies.
Relations Of Cuba to United States Discussed
With Sec. Root.

washington. April Z5.-The cuban
delegation from the convention franz
ing a constitution for the new island
republic saw President Mckinley twice
today, once in the early part of the
day when there were introductions and
n formal exchange Of expressions of
friendship between the United States
and Cuba. and again at night. when
the members of the delegation We're
the guests OF honor at the state dinner
at the White House.
The real business which brought the
delega tion here was transacted with
Secretary Root at the war department
the President in the forenoon interview
saying to the delegates that he would
confer with the secretary, who would
act as his representative in conferences
Owe: the Cuban situation.
The delegation ard Secretary Root
Were Closeted for some hours in the
afternoon in a discussion of the rela-
tons OF the island to the United States.
The secretary was reserved as to the
conference, the statement being made
that after results were reached some
news as to the conclusions might be
made public.
The Cuban delegates began their
round CT official visits and conferences,
today going to the war department at
II o'clock for the first formal meeting
with Secretary Root ard then being
escorted by him to the Waite House
for II meeting With the President. At
the hotel were two officers of the Unit
ed States 2rmy to accompany them on
their ~OunGs
Previous 10 tfc arrival Cf the dclH-
cation at the war department Gen
Wood entered the seCrctary's office and
was there when the visitors Wee
shown in. The delegates called first at
the office Of Assistant Secretary San
ger. and thcn were shown into Mr.
Roots private office by Col. Sanger.
Capt. Sawtelle and Lieut.. Overton, tho
military escort. and Senor Gonzales,
secretary to Gen. Wood. were present
during the conference at the war de-
paTtment.
After an hours discussion OF Cuban
affairs. the delegation left for the
White House. The commission reached
there at exactly Il O'Clock. They were
preceded ~ Secretary Root, Assistant
Secretary Sanger and Cen. Wood.
When the latter alighted they were
usherel into the blue parlor. where the
President awaited them. The introduc-
tions Wen made by Gen. Wood. The
greetings We're cordial on both sides.
and took place through the medium o.
an Interpreter. The exchanges We're
purely Of 4 formal character.
Senior Diego T6mayo. chairman OF
the commission. who is q member OF
Gen. Weeds cabinet, on behalf of the
commission, made a brief address to
the President and the latter responded.
Several pleasant things We're said on
both sides but there was no discussion
in detail Of the object of the commls-
sion's visit. The commission was with
the President scarcely half an hour.
The most important meeting Of the day
was conference in Secretary Roots Of
fee. lasting from 8 until o'clock. This
was the first business meeting. Those
present were the five Cuban delegates.
their Interpreter. Secretary Root Cen
Wood. Assistant Secretary Sanger. Senior
Gonzalez, Gen. Woods secretary, VINO
acted as interpreter a greater portion OF
the time.
When the meeting adjourned no official
statement was made as to the proceed
ings but 1t can be said that the result
was considered satisfactory both by the
Cubans and Secretary Root The business
was not completed and the conference
with re-assemblc, tomorrow. The fac,
that the entire conversation had to be
carried through interpreters made 1t ne
Cessary to proceed slowly.