Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-26
Cuban Delegates Again Visit the War
Department.
STATEMENT BY GENERAL BETANC0URT
Most AgreeabIy Impressed by
Their Treatment Here.
HAVE COME TO LEARN VIEWS

The delegation from lne tNhdn tpilStlCu-
tional convention was again busy today in
tht. discussion of affairs relating to the in
tercsts of Cuba and the United States. This
took place first in rather an informal man
ncr at a luncheon al the metropolitan Club
at l o'clock. when the entire delegation met
Secretary Root. Assistant Secretary Sang
er. Senators SpoOner and Foraker, Gcner-
ais Miles and Corbin and Colonel Edwards,
representing the military administration.
and Govcrnn. General Wood Of Cuba. Later
the more formal discussion of affairs was
resumed at the War Department between
Secretary Root and the entire membership
OF the delegation.
Gen. Pedro +. BctancorIt. one of the
most Influential members of the delegation,
was seen during the day. and in response
t. inquiries made some Interesting general
statements as to the purposes of the visit
and the impressions which tn" delegates
have obtained
1T should he understood" said Cen Be
taucoUrt. that we are here for the pur-
pos Of studying the entire question of the
relations between the United Si&tGs and
Cuba. more particularly prcso nted by
the piatt amendment. but it Is a mistake
to think that We hay" presented any prop
ositiou. that there is anything thus far
btr"nd an offort to learn the views enter
taiu'd by tn" authorities here on the many
points involved. and at the same time to
convey to them the views held by the con-
NCntion which We are here to represent.
w" are not clothed with any plenipoten-
tary powers. and cannot present plans
which occur To us For that reason it is a
mistake tn think that in the discussions
which have occurred there is anything like:
You give us this, and will give you
that
There is absolutely nothing of that
Kind ON the contrary. the Platt amend
Inerit has been before the people of Cuba
for some time. and there have been vary
lHS views as to the meaning and construc-
OF IS hay
come h"r" to secure Information from
these pest able to give it as to the mean
lnG OF all these points. Thus far | think
can say for myself and my associates
mat the discussion has produced an agree
a"le impression upon US 1t has shown a
very earnest effort on both sides to deal
with the subject in such spirit of fair
ness and honor as would reach a conc!u-
sion satisfactory to all concerned.
Host FavorabIy Impressed.
Inc dinner given us at the Executive
Mansion last night afforded the delegates
an opportunity to meet not only the Presi-
dent and members of his cabinet, but many
of your foremost senator's and public men
in all walks of life. l can assure YOU that
the meeting produced upon us most
favorable impression. We We're received
not only with courtesy and regard but
even with affection
Your leading public men took occasion
70 greet each one of us with assurances
OF deep friendly and personal interest in
the maintenance of the most cordial rela-
tonS between Cuba and the United States
1t was made plain to us that Your public
men approached this subject in a spirit of
dlslnterestedness and unselfishness, and
th2t their concern was chiefly as to the in
terests of Cuba In SO far the interest
of the United States might naturally be
involved. the view was maintained that
TINS was for the ultimate interest and hen
eft of Cuba. Such a cordiality of greeting,
and such assurances from men of this
character and standing could not but pro-
% anee deep impression upon us. The dig
nltE, intellectually and the strength of
character. as well the splendid per
sonal appearance, of the distinguished men
We thus had the honor to meet have also
contributed to the agreeable Impressions
We have obtained up to this time
Purpose of the Delegates.
AS TO the details of our further discus
slons, the members of the delegation do not
feel at liberty now to go into particulars
although, as i have said. the purpose Is
chleny TO secure and to give information
and then to go back and report to the con-
stitutional convention as to the views held
here and to how the views in Cuba are
received among the responsible authorities
mere Although the President is about to
ieaNe or MS western trip, yet he has asked
uS TO confer fully with Secretary Root
who has most thorough knowledge and
appreciation of the various points involved
Tor lhat reason II does not seem essential
that orr discussions shall be hurried to a
close within today and tomorrow and il
may be that they will be prolonged beyond
ine tlne OF the departure of the President
we nave been assured that there is the
IloSt earnest desire to have us remain unti1
there Is the most complete understanding
OH the very last point open to doubt
"enerdl Betdncourt added an expression
OF appreciation for the courtesy shown the
delegation by the public and the nress of
Gals ~
At the close of the interview General Re
Ha,,t
the delegation. and Indicated 10 him the
general lines of the foregoing conversa-
tlon. which were cordially approved by DR..
Capote.
The Intervention Question
II Is perfectly clear now that the main
point at issue and under discussion between
the Cuban delegation and the Secretary of
War Is intervention, contained in the
Platt amendment. The Cubans do not want
to grant the right of unqualified interven-
tion, so that 1t may he construed to inter-
fere with their actual independence. They
want free admission of sugar into the
United States. and If that cannot be OBJ
tained they want the duty low as pos
sible- 1t is evident that they can taHe 10
very definite assurances home with them
either point.
The Secretary of War will only say that
the intervention provided for in the Platt
amendment will be construed by this gov
ernment in the broadest possible manner
and that II is not contemplated that inter
Nenuon nor any other provision in the
Platt amendment shall be used TO the detri-
ment of Cuba, but entirely for her good
The delegates contend that the Cubans
should be the best judges of what is good
for them. Their fear has been that inter
yention may at any time be construed dur
ing a political crisis to mean for the good
Of the United States rather than for Cnha
The Sugar Problem
The sugar problem Is uppermost in the
minds Of some of the members of the dele
CATION and the earnest manner in which
Gen. Wood has been advocating liberal
terms toward Cuba in the matter Of sugar
duties has encouraged them to believe that
the administration will at least urge Con-
gress 10 make concessions in the matter of
sugar
There has been some discussion relative