The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1901-05-03
ROOT TAKES CHARGE.
Represents the President In Confer
ence With Cubnns. la


ence With Cubnns. s4.
Washington, April q. The Cuban
delegation from the convention franz
ing constitution for the new island
republic saw President Mckinley twice
yesterday, once in the early part of
the day when there were introductions
and formal exchange Of expressions
of friendship between the United
States and Cuba, and again at night,
when the members Of the delegation
were the guests Of honor at state
dinner at the White House. The real
business which brought the delegation
here was transacted with Secretary
Root at the war department, the pres
ident at the forenoon interview at the
White House saying to the delegates
that he would confer with the secre-
tary, who would act as his representa-
tive in conferences over the Cuban sit
uation. The delegation and Secretary
Root were closeted for some hours in
the afternoon in discussion of the
relations of the island to the United
States. Secrecy was observed as to
the conference, the statements being
made that after results We're reached
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
converse ton being almost wholly for
NAL. Senior Capote, in his address to
the president, spoke Of the desire Of
the Cubans to have the, closest posi-
BILE relations with the United States.
He said the United States soldiers and
Cubans had
Fought Side by Side q
and driven Spain from the island, and
the ties between thes two countries
were bound in blood. The relationship,
therefore, between the countries al
Ways should be most amicable and
closer than that which usually exists
between nations. He also spoke Of the
gratitude which Cuba felt for the
United States for the assistance rem
dered in her liberation.
In response the president expressed
his pleasure at meeting the delega-
ton. and desired through them to ex-
tend his kindest wishes to the people
Of the island. KS s${s i53
It is said the Cubans are not a unit
In their opinions as to the best step
which should be taken to bring about
entire harmony between the United
States and the people OF the island.
The observations made Ia conversation
with the Cubans at the White House
dinner convinced some OF the guests at
least THAT the tariff is the key to the
situation, and the opinion Ii expressed
tina. & sufficient concessions are made
4 by thiE government in. the duties on
sugar and tobacco, the main features
of the Platt anne adment may be ad-
5usted Ito the common satisfaction of3
the United States and the Gubans.5 At
The pa me time there Is q strong element
"a the Cuban delegation Ml,ic { = Eoa
absolute depende nce, and contends
that Cuba should be n placed ( On an
Aauai political footing with this coun-
IN and receive fdiplo mat icl ition'
fta,l the natio ions of the worid gtof III rex-s
istence as aa sovereign nation. y II was,
evident how ever. from the talk III one
ssok tlfes eitors that Cqba HouiG look 10
the United s,tates Tor ass distance and
moral supp0rt sins the event 0fS lnfrfends
Ssly ma Ions by EURO conn;
aen vocd SIN expf esses tie op.nioYi
sttiat the F1att amen dfnent WIN be ,ac-55
scsptsd fthe cousti tut ional conyen-::
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