New-York tribune., 1901-05-02
HE HAS SEEN BETTER DAYS.
CUBANS START HOME.
THE COMMISSIONERS WELL PLEASED
WITH THEIR VISIT-WANT DUTY ON
TOBACCO AND SUGAR REDUCED.

TOBACCO AND SUGAR REDUCED.
The five commissioners of the Cuban Constitu-
tional Convention who came to this country a
week ago TO obtain a better knowledge Of the
intentions OF the United States toward Cuba
started for home on the steamer Havana yes
terday. The vessel was deep in the water with
a cargo said to be the largest ever taken TO a
Cuban port from this country. 1t was decked
with flags from stem to stern in honor Of the
returning Cubans.
The delegates seemed to have greatly enjoyed
their visit to this country and the honors which
they received evidently impressed them. They
went away expressing themselves thoroughly
satisfied with their visit and its results and
pleased with their reception. While still
tremely cautious in expressing their views on
the Platt amendment. they said that they
satisfied that the United States had in view
the best interests OF Cuba.
The delegation. consisting OF DIR. Domingo
Mendez Capote. chairman; General p. f. Betan-
court, Rafael Portuondo and Pedro Gonzalez
Llorente and DR.. Diego Tamayo. boarded the
steamer about 2:3O O'Clock. half an hour before
she was scheduled TO sail They found a num-
Der Of people awaiting them to bid them fare
Well Before sailing General Retancourt. repre-
sentng the commission. said:
We have been treated with great politeness
and almost like brothers. and are returning
home satisfied We came here to learn what the
Platt amendment means. ana we have learned
the facts. but have not arrived al any conclusion
on the subject. our report Will be made TO the
National Convention, now in session. We have
not yet discussed among ourselves just what
il viii be. We may talk things over on the ship
or wait till we get to Havana and confer with
friends. Cuba cannot be prosperous until there
is reduction OF the present duty on sugar and
tobacco and a sort Of reciprocity between Cuba
and the United States. These are the prIncpaI
/ u Sc M "a jCl 'a ant
machinery and goods of all sorts manufactured
in the United States. Our commercial relations
should be very close
For fifty years the Cuban people have under
stood the American people, but the latter.
strange to say, have not understood the Cuban
people. This was because of misrepresentation.
But think that now the Americans understand
u.s. and know that we love independence. l
cannot say who Will be the conventions choice
for president of the republic. He will be an
honest and patriotic man, you may be
We have had a very good time since came
here; have seen all that possible for to
do in this great land and have studied your COM
mercial affairs which apply TO Cuba. If should
say anything further about the matter which
brought to the United States 1t would be
ST eculation on the facts which have col
lected, and would simply be wasting time and
not mean anything.
The delegation was loudly cheered by Cubans
gathered on the pier the Havana swung out
into the stream her way to Cuba
Before the commission boarded the steamer
the members-with the exception of DR. Tamayo.
who was unable to be present-were entertained
at luncheon by two hundred members of the
Chamber of Commerce in the rooms OF that
body, No. 80 Nassau-st. j. Edward Simmons
presided, welcoming the guests and introducing
them. They each spoke briefly.
Previous to the luncheon the delegates went
about the city for a few hours I'm the morning
with r. A c. Smith. visiting the factory of the
American Tobacco Company, in West Twenty
second-st.; the subway excavation at Fourth
ave and Ninth-st., and other places about town.