Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-04-26

terday'e Gazette was carried out almost
to the letter. The delegates take
themselves very seriously. President
McKinley ia treating them win the
same formal courtesy that would %
shown the most exalted commission
from any foreign power. Two army
officers 10 uniform are their constant
guides and companions. They are
here as the guests of the United States.
Their reception at the White House
yesterday was attended by every de-
tail of formslity, and the dinner given
them was equal in every detail Oh eie-
gance to the most elaborate state din-
ner ever given In the Executive Man.
sion. Since their arrival they nave
spent most of their time In the tailor
shops. Senior Capote's address ex,
pressed the desire for the most cordial
relations between the United states
and Cuba. The Cuban patriots, be de-
clsred, had fought side BY side with tne
American troops to drive the spanish
out OF the island, and Cuba felt deeply
grateful to this country for the
timely assistance rendered her IN gain
| ing her independence.
Mr.. Mckinley replied in his most
suave and delightful manner. He ex'
pressed his pleasure at meeting the
| delegates, and congratulated them on
the proud distinction of being members
| of a convention called to frame their
country's constitution. Theirs was
high honor. indeed, and it fell to the
| lot of but few men to take part In form
| ing the government of republic. The
President avoided any direct allusion
| to the purpose of the delegates visit
| to Washington, but he dwelt upon the
Implicit obedience of the executive
to the legislative branches OF every re-
public as the sole guarantee OF sue
ceseful government of the people by the
people. The delegates could not fall
to understand bis allusioD. Congress
having enacted the Plat amendment.
the President could only obey 1t and
carry out It's provisions. Yesterday
being the first interview the delegates
did not specifically set forth their de-
msnds, which are, 10 effect, autonomy
and free trade.
In conversation with Senators and
Others upon two points the Cubans
were particularly anxious to gain infor'
nation. The one wac: "Ii We adopt
1.-The Plat amendment, will the great
powers Of the world recognizs our IT,
dependence?n They were assured, ir
the first place, that the United States
for one, would recognize their indie
pendence; that Great Britain would DE-
what the United States did; and thai
the other powers would do what the
United States and Great Britain did
They were told also, that under the
Plat amendment Cuba would be 90 in
dependent as are many Of the indepen
dent powers Of Europe. for instance, al
independent as Belgium, whose indie
pendence Is recognized. and which, yet
because of treaty s,ipulations with othel
powers, was not ct liberty to disregard
these stipulations. 'If we adopt thu
Platt amendment" was another OF theil
questions, twill the United States gran
| US reciprocity" Senator Hanna an
swered this for them. "Our fret interior
enoe," he explained, "was sentimental
Next, IL was for self-protection, In ordel
| to establish peace, where annoyance
and trouble had come to our shores
Thirdly, 1t is for mutual benefit and ad
yancement. The administration be
lieves that mutual benefit would bi
subserved by reciprocity. That Is ont
of the principles Of this administration
To carry IL out requires the voice Q
Congress, and Congress will undoubted
lly do whatever it can to advance
mutual interests" They were 10
terested particularly in securing som,
assurance that there would be no tarif
on sugar and tobacco. No more def
mite assurance was given them thar
that that matter would be lett 10 Con
gress and could be adjudicated by nj
otter body or person. The Cubans ex
pressed themselves as greatly pleased
with their reception. There were i'm
pressed with the country, as far as they
had seen 1t.