The Minneapolis journal., 1901-04-29
Delegates Visit a Big Case
of "Jolly." +"
FEAST AND CEREMONY
Delegates Were Pleased, but They
Get No Promises.
NO CHANGE IN POLICY POSSIBLE
United States Means Well
by the Island.

ButtdtHOs Washington.
| Washington, April 29.-It was the big
gest case of Jolly that Washington has
seen for many long day. So everybody
says:
The Cuban emissaries were received at
the depot by cabinet ministers, by United
States senators, by the private secretary
| to the president, and considerable ret
inue Of subordinates. They were politely
handed into waiting carriages, driven to
the Shoreham hotel, given the choicest
suites Of rooms in that fashionable hos
tlery and told that the entire establish
ment was theirs and that all bills were
to be paid by this government. small
army of attendants was engaged to wait
at the doors, each visitor having a valet
of his own, who was instructed to be un-
usually vigilant.
Then came round of official visits. The
secretary of war in full state received the
delegates in his private Office, surrounded
by his chief assistants, and with high
/
occasion. Then there came the trip to the
White House. The president took up his
quarters in the famous blue parlor fully
an hour before the guests arrived, and
waited as quietly as if he had nothing
more important on hand than their re-
ception. Private Secretary Cortelyou
stood at the main doorway Of the White
House during all this hour, waiting for
the conference at the war department to
come to a close.
White House Ceremony.
AS the visitors approached the presi-
Dental abode the stalwart capitol police
cleared the way and waved their clubs
with all the form and ceremony imagin-
able. Mr.. Cortelyou bowed so low that
| his head nearly knocked against the floor
as he met the delegates. They were taken
straight to the president, who chatted
with them gaily for half an hour. made
formal address, and then turned them
over to three army officers in fatigue uni
form, who were instructed to act as
guides. showing the guests OF the nation
everything that they wanted to see in the
city, and making them feel at home in
every possible way.
The state dinner at night was fully up
to the high standards of White House
traditions. Nothing was lacking either in
IN decorations or at the table. The IA
nous White House Conservatives were
heavily drawn upon, and the several par
lors were literally one mass of bloom
and green leaf.
No Deviation Possible.
When the guests finally had an oppor-
tunity to get in a word edgewise regard
ing their mission, they were told, first by
n OF QpxyO Of IL
1dent, that the Platt amendment was the
law of the land, and that no officer of the
American government had the power to
| transgress it. But this word was spoken
with seeming regret. The deepest inter-
est was manifested with regard to Cuba.
| All sorts of questions, designed to f1atter
the visitors, were asked. The president
and his associates showed the liveliest
concern for the future of the island. and
familiarity with its history that in it
self was compliment of the highest char
acter.
When the visit came to a close the
jolly was at its best. Officers of the
army and navy, members of the cabinet
personal representatives of the president.
and train Of underlings were on hand to
say goodbye and wish the visitors a safe
| journey home.
Not a Promise,
but Hot a promise was made bV this
government regarding anything looking to
the future. 1t was made apparent that
the United States wanted the island to be
prosperous and happy, and would gladly
do anything in its power for the accom-
| pNshment OF such an end but the Platt
! amendment could not be departed from
The island must conform to it in every
particular. The president was at consid-
cradle pains to show the guests that this
country was not self-seeking, had no inn
proper designs upon the island. and
wanted its people to work out their own
salvation. But at the same he made If
clear that the best interests of both coun-
! tries demanded that the Platt amendment
! be lived up to in good faith.
Effect of the Visit.
| What the effect Of the visit will be upon
the Cubans cannot be safely estimated at
this time. From the solicitious attitude
Of the president, however, and his very
apparent desire to treat the delegates
we'll, 1t can hardly be otherwise than that
a report will be made to the constitu-
| tional convention that will be the basis of
a better understanding all around And il
this should be the result of the ''joIly''
the president and his advisers will be sat
isfied.
But it was the most magnificent s'joIlv'
that Washington has witnessed for many
a long day or year. Principally because
there was nothing else that this govern
ment could do. And again, because the
president was anxious to demonstrate to
the islanders that the attitude of this
government is in every respect a proper
attitude, and that he has the good of both
| DeODleS and the harm of neither IN mind