Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1901-05-04
INDEPENDENCE Of CUBA.
CUBAN DELEGATES SATISFIED
Leave for Home acknowledgements.
the Delegates Makes Statement,
The objection to Amendment M
moved.

New York, May 1.-The Cuban dele.
gates visited General Brooke at Govor
nor's island and were much pleased with
their entertainment. When seen at tho
Fifth Avenue hotel Senior Capote said
There is no truth in the published
stories that Cubans found fault with tho
expenditure of the funds contributed NV
the junta in New York. Everything in
that direction was most satisfactory.
"IDhe report to be presented to the con.
vention relative to the matters concerning
which we conferred with President Nc.
Kinley and Secretary Root has not been
prepared. We are working at it, and do
not expect to complete it much before our
arrival at Havana"
I. Estrada Palma called on the delegates
at the hotel last night and was in confer.
ence with them for over two hours. Nearly
all the matters which brought the dele.
gates to the United States were gone over
and General Palma's views ascertained
There is reason to believe that the fitting
candidate for the presidency was brought
up and that the possibility of General Pal
mas election was discussed.
When asked for statement General
Portuondo said:
"A great stumbling block has been re-
moved. This is all care to say"
'What stumbling block do you mean.
senor?" was asked. Section three of the
Platt amendment" he answered.. "The
Cubans fear what some call imperialism.
Now in regard to section three | think
by the latter amendment it is provided
that the United States may send troops to
Cuba whenever in the opinion of Washing
ton such action is necessary. This pro-
vision awakened widespread suspicion.
Many said that it was only pretext for
the United States to continue standing
army in Cuba for all time. The presence
of soldiers, and especially those of another
people, can not but be onerous and dis
comfiting to us. Others. said that al
though the Uuited States might withdraw
her forces now, she could, under this pro-
vision, Immediately send them back again.
This was, then, a stumbling block 1t was,
perhaps, magnifed in the eyes of the COM
mon people, and they demanded that if
these suspicious We're well founded such a
measure should not receive our sanction.
President Mckinley soon assured us that
these suspicious were groundless."
Demand Absolute Independence.
GLOW do Cubans feel in regard to indie
pendence?" was asked.
"Ninety per cent of our people, "he said,
"want independence. They will not even
listen to annexation. They want indie
pendence-absolute independence. Now,
| do not mean the Cubans are not disposed
to give the Americans what they the
Americans-will need for their defense
tell you that if the question of independ-
ence is settled and all differences on the
subject are eliminated, everything else can
be arranged"
"What do you mean by independence?
Does not each of the states of the United
States possess it?'
by independence | mean sovereignty.
want to regulate our own international
affairs. But our preference will be for
America to help and support us in case of
need"
Are you sure, then, that the United
States will grant Cuba its desired indie
pendence?'
eyes, | am sure. And l believe tnat
Washington will soon announce to the
world that Cuba is a sovereign power, and
that Cuba will indeed be nation by Feb
ruary "a, 1902"