Evening journal., 1901-04-26
Formal Exchange Of Express
SionS Of Friendship Made
CONFERRED WITH MIR. ROOT
Latter Declared No Modification Of
The PIatt Amendment Could
be Made

Washington. April 26-The Cuban
delegation from the convention franz
ing a constitution for the newsstand re-
public raw President Mckinley twice
yesterday, once in the early part OF
the day, when there were introduce
tions and a formal exchange Of ex-
pressicns Of friendship between the
United States and Cuba, and again at
night, when the members Of the dele
cation were the guests of homer at a
state dinner at the White House.
The real business which brought the
delegation here was transacted with
Secretary Root at the war department,
the president in the forenoon interview
at the White House saying to the dele
gates that he would confer with the
secretary, who would act as his repre-
sentative in conferences over the Cu-
ban situation. The delegation and Sec
retary Root were closeted for some
hours in the afternoon in a discussion
of the relations of the island TO the
United States. Secrecy was observed
as to the conference, the statement be-
ing made that after results were reach
ed some news as to the conclusions
might be made public
Matters of Importance were not
touched upon in the interview between
>the president and the delegation, the
conversation being almost wholly for
NAL Senior Capote, in his address 70
tho president. spoke Of the desire Of
the Cubans to have the closest possible
relations with the United States. FIe
said that United States soldiers and
Cubans had fought side by side and
driven Spain from the island, and the
ties between the two countries were
bound in blood. Therelatlonship there
fore, between the countries always
should be most amicable and closer
than that which usually exists between
nations. He also spoke OF the grati
tude which Cuba felt to the United
States for the assistance rendered in
her liberation.
In response the president expressed
his pleasure at meeting the delegation,
and desired through them to extend
his l1lndest wishes to the people of the
island He said that his interest in
Cuba always had been very great, and
he made reference to messages he had
sent to congress concerning the island.
Its welfare always would be the sub
ject of his earnest consideration. He
Congratulated the members of the Gu
ban. constitutional convention. He said
1t was a high honor. and it fell to the
lot of but few men to have the oppor-
tunity to frame a government for a
republic.
The most important meeting of the
day was a conference in Secretary
Roots Office lasting from to o'clock
in the afternoon. 1t was made plain
to the Cubans by Secretary Root that
no modification of the Platt amend
ment could be made by the executive
department Of the government, and the
Cubans themselves understand that
there is little possibility of congress
sional action in that direction, so the
conference was devoted, largely to the
construction which could be placed
upon the amendment. The law states
that the propositions contained in the
amendment shall be substantially
agreed to ty the Cubans, and the dis
cussion revolved chiefly around what
will be considered a substantial
agreement to the Plat amendment re-
Quirements. There was some very fine
legal sparring between Secretary Root
and Senior Capote. the president of the
constitutional convention and chair
man Of the delegation, as to the mean
ing Of the amendment. The interven-
ton proposition caused the most dis
cussion.
II is understood that the Cubans are
impressed with the desire on the part
of this government to deal fairly by
Cuba, and the belief is expressed that
the delegation will take home favor
able reports of our intentions.