The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-04-26
SAW The PRESIDENT
oraANs INTRODUCED TO CHEF
EXECUTIVE.
THEN CONFERRED WITH ROOT.
,,,,t, TRANSACT BUSINESS WITH
SECRETARY.

.1,rexs-A High Honor to Frame
roxerument for n Republic, He
said-Gen, Wood and His Secre-
.or~. Gonzalez, Took Part in the
,farence at the War Depart
ment.
washington, April 25.-The Cuban dele
uo.ior from the convention framing
constitution for the island republic
.n, President Mckinley twice to-day,
once in the early part of the day. when
.hore were introductions and formal
changes of expressions of friendship be-
.oor the United States and Cuba, and
oooin at night when the members OF
,,e delegation were the guests of honor
s+a+e dinner at the White House.
rho real business which brought the del
.oatiou here was transacted with Secre-
..rv Root. at the War Department, the
1,r.sidert in the forenoon interview at
the White House, saying to the dele
rates that he would confer with the Sec
rotary. who would act as his representa-
five in conferences over the Cuban stu
stion The delegation and Secretary
poot were closeted for some hours IN
.ho afternoon i'm a discussion of the rela-
atoms of the island TO the United States.
Secrecy was observed as to the confer
,r.e the statement being made that af-
tor results we're reached some news as to
the conclusions might be made pubic.
Matters of importance we're not touched
unon in the interview between the Presi-
dent and the delegation, the conversation
being almost wholly formal Senor Ca
note in his address to the President, spoke
of the desire of the Cubans to have the
closest possible relations with the United
States. He said that United States SOL
diers and Cubans had fought side by side
and had driven Spain from the Island
and the ties between the two countries
we're bound in blood. The relationship,
therefore, between the countries always
should be most anioable and closer than
that which usually exists between ma
tions. He also spoke of the gratitude
which Cuba felt to the United States for
the assistance rendered in her liberation.
The Presidents Response.
In response the President expressed his
pleasure at meeting the delegation and
desired through them to express his kind
est wishes to the people of the island.
He said that his interest in Cuba always
had been very great, and he made ref
erence to messages he had sent to Con-
gress concerning the island. Its welfare
always would be the subject of his most
earnest consideration, He congratulated
the members of the delegation upon being
members of the Cuban Constitutional
convention. lie said it was a high honor
end it fell to the lot of but few men to
have the opportunity to frame a govern
ment for a republic.
Concerning the object of the delega-
tons visit, the President said he would
confer with the Secretary of War, and
the secretary, having an intimate knowl
eoge of the situation, would confer with
the delegation.
The delegates began their round of Off
cal visits and conferences to-day by going
10 the War Department at II o'clock for
the hrst formal meeting with Secretary
i"ot' they were then escorted by him
70 the White House for a meeting with
the President. At the hotel, to accom-
pany them on their rounds, We're two Off
GERS Of the United States army in ia
(eue uniform, Capt. Sawtelle and Lieut..
Oyerton.
wood Keeps Ahead of Cubans.
PREVIOUS to the arrival of the delegation
pt tne War Department, Gen. Wood en-
1sLeo the secretary's Office and was there
"Ieh the visitors were shown in. The
uelesetion called first at the office of As
sis'ant sS Secretary Sanger and then was
euo"n into Mr.. Roots private Office by
C OoL Sanger Capt. Sawtelle and Lieut..
CC'erton and Senior Gonzales, secretary to
s wood were present during the con-
Fences at the War Department 1t is
eenueIstood Senior Gonzales is fluent
spahlsh lnguist and he also was asked
We ue present at the conference at the
wnile House. About an hour was con-
~ u 81 IN a discussion of Cuban affairs in
iof. var department when the delegation
N' LOT the White House.
neceiVed mt the White House.
me commission reached the White
.ouse at exactly u o'clock. They were
seoeoed by Secretary Root Assistant
Iietary Sanger and Gen. Wood. who
ySn' eu over from the War Department
rnsn lhe members of the commission
h III carriages. When they alighted
NJ were ushered into the blue parlor,
W. 'he President, Secretary Root, Gen.
W.. ana Assistant Secretary Sanger
, '"alung them. The introductions
NJ. made by Gen. Wood, the greetings
tbra,.o coraial on both sides, and took place
MS" an Interpreter. The exchanges
IT, purely of a formal character. Senior
vtSo' chairman of the commission,
m = member of Gen. Woods cabinet.
ada 1ldH Of the commission, made brief
responded 'ies''ent ana the latter
b',l eral pleasant things were said on
,D o'l sides. but there was no discussion
Us 'a'i OF the object OF the commission's
pooa me exchange of assurances OF
mro Isehng In general, describes the ma.
or. ol the interview The commission
An le with the President scarcely half
"' Conference wIth Mr. Root.
most important meeting OF the day
a. Conference in Secretary Roots or
lo 'Auns from o'clock until s O'clock
by.i,. AFTERNOON. This was the first
sorst meeting. the others having been
I'M. aha formal Those present were
te- Luban delegates. their interpre-
art Ieiary Root. Gen. Wood. Assist
g,r oie.sfy Sanger, senor Gonzalez.
te,... '"9Hs secretary, who acted as In
4r,. great portion Of the time The
Hs rt'I@ VINO are acting 90 escort fOr
r...,.-aNa were present when the
ai9eifned 10 Ohici8i statement
0r ~ ~ the proeeedinRr, buf it
nt.t l inat the reFtt was cGnFldered
i1' poih by ne Cuhans and Ees.
r "H-'i lnf business Ras MOI com.
ANa ina rQnfefeune ,..lll re4srsnahia