Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-04-24
TO-DAY'S TELEGRAPHIC NEWS
Cuban commissioners.

OuDdu COMMISSIONER
Washington. d. c., April 4.-Brig.
Gen. Leonard Wood, U. 8. A., military
governor OF Cuba, accompanied by bis
wife and his secretary arrived in this
city at s o'clock this morning. They
are stopping at the Richmond. BY
making close connection Ia New YORK
Governor Wood was enabled to reach
Washington ahead Of the Cuban COM
missioners. 1t is said that the commits
sioners were not particularly eager for
Governor Wood to visit the United
States at the same time with them, and
that when they heard that 1t was the
governors intentions 30 to do and that
he would travel by steamer to New
York, they determined, If possible, to
beat him to Washington. Accordingly
they took passage to Miami, Fla. and
thence they journeyed 10 special car
toward the capital. Their train was
behind time and they did not arrive
until $40 this morning. They were
due at 8:25. They were met at the
Pennsylvania Railroad station by As
eistant Secretary of War Sanger and
Assistant Secretary of State Hill and
Captain Sawtelle and Lieutenant Over.
ton OF the army, who escorted them in
carriages to the Shoreham where they
will make their headquarters while In
Washington.
Immediately after finishing his break
fast Gen. Wood hastened to the War
Department where he first had brief
interview with Assistant Secretary
Sanger. As soon as Secretary Boot ap-
peared he formally reported to that
official and held an extended conference
with him, relating principally to the
visit OF the Cuban commissioners and
the plans for their entertainment In
Washington. The Caban commission
expects to return to Havana on Mon
day or Tuesday next, sfser the Presi-
dents departure for the West. They
refused to be interviewed. Senior Capote
Is the president of the Cuban constitu-
tioual convention. He Ia quoted as say.
ing that after independence has been
tried for long time the destiny OF the
Cuban people was to become part OF
the United States. Judge Llorente, one
of the most picturesque members OF the
party, is pro-American In his tendencies.
The youngest member Of the commits.
sion is Rafael Portuondo. He maintains
that the Monroe doctripe gives the
United States all the control over Cuba
that it should desire. All the baggage
OF the party was lost In Florida. but q
wire to Key West located 1t and 1t Is
expected on later train today. Senior
Coronado, the editor Of La Discussion,
which has been personally attacking
Governor General Wood, for having
him arrested, says the action OF the
commission 10 refusing to agree to the
Platt amendment Is not 30 much pro-
test against the terms proposed by the
United States as 1t Is against Governor
General Wood himself. IF General
Wood were to be recalled" said be, Il
believe the convention would adopt
substantially the terms proposed In the
Plat amendment. Senior Gonzales,
once aide to General Gomez prior to
the revolution and now private seore-
tary to General Wood, said that COM
mercial relations of Cuba were OF far
more Importance than politics, and that
the people looked forward to free trade
with the United States ss the only solu.
ton of the political straits. To the
sugar planters this was condition alb
solutely essential to prosperity and
scarcely less so to the tobacco growers.