Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-24
THE CUBANS ARRIVE
Commission Sent by the Havana
Convention.
COME TO CONFER WITH OFFICIALS
Gen. Wood Makes a Detailed
Statement Of the Situation.
TO BE PRESENTED TOMORROW

rived in Washington at 9:3O o'clock this
morning. together with an interpreter and
two representatives of the Havana press.
They We're met at the station by Assistant
Secretary of State Hill, Assistant Secre-
tary of War Sanger. Capt. Sawtelle and
Lieut.. Overton of the United States army,
detailed for that purpose, and escorted to
the Shoreham
The members of the commission are:
Diego Tamayo, member of the national
party: Gonzalez Llorente, a lawyer, who
has achieved distinction a scientist;
Pedroe Betancourt. Rafael Portuondo and
Domingo Mendez Capote president of the
Cuban constitutional convention.
The delegates conversed with the recep-
tion committee through an interpreter.
though most of them speak English very
we'll 1t was stated that arrangements for
their visit to the White House to see the
President would be made through the War
department.
Will BE Received Tomorrow.
The Cubans remained at their hotel most
of the morning, as they We're fatigued by
the long railroad trip up from Florida.
Quite a number of officials called, includ-
ing Assistant Secretary Hill of the State
Department and Assistant Secretary San
ger of the War Department who left cards
individually for each member of the dele
CATION. About noon the delegation started
down town on a shopping expedition,
no plans had been made up at that time
for beginning the official visits.
The delegates seemed rather reticent and
cautious in their statements. apparently
being deSirOuS of learning the wishes of
the officials here before discussing the sub
jects in which they are interested. They
are a tine-lOOking body of men, and are
likely to make most favorable impressions.
When inquiry was made of Mr.. Diego
Tamayo one of the delegates, as to the
plans of the party. he answered through the
interpreter, Mr.. n: Entenza that the dele
cation felt it would be discourteous to enter
upon n discussion of their business before
they had called on the Secretary Of War.
AS to their program of official visits, he said
that they had had no opportunity thus far
to learn the wishes of the officials here.
They expected to hold a meeting during the
afternoon and determine upon course Of
action.
War Department by which the Secretary of
War will receive the delegation at II o'clock
tomorrow morning and will probably escort
them to the White House about that time.
Desires of the Cubans.
"Ninety-nine per cent of the Cuban peo-
pie desire absolute independence" said
Senor Portuendo, in defining the attitude Of
the people of the island. ut is their wish
that the military occupation by the United
States come to an end at once.
1T may be said that a small element Of
Spaniards, from purely commercial mo-
tive-1 should not say over ten thousand
would favor annexation, but the wish for
independence is felt generally by many
Cubans and Spaniards alike. Those Span
iards who favor annexation are not i'm
PEELED by any love for the United States.
They hate us, and they seem to wish some
sort of guarantee as to their property and
business interests.
Peace with the Americans without the
independence Of Cuba is impossible-I mean
moral peace. l do not mean to say that in
the event that Independence is not granted
war or revolution would follow, but that
there would be no sympathy, friendli-
ness between the peoples.
We should not desire free trade with
the United States If the independence of
our country were established. We should
require revenues to support our govern
ment, and We would find it necessary to
raise them by customs duties. What we
would wish would be a specially devised
system of tariff duties between the coun-
tries, making the rates low as practi-
cable, and to the mutual advantage of both
countries"
Arrival of Gen. Wood.
General Wood, military governor of Cuba,
also arrived this morning with his family
and took apartments at the Richmond. He
sent his secretary to call on the Cuban del
egation to ascertain their desire for the day
in order that he might be able to act as
their escort, either to the White House or
the War Department. General Wood has
had no direct information from General
Whitside regarding the reported disorders
at Santiago but before he left Cuba he had
been advised by General Whitside that par
ty strife was making some trouble in that
municipality, and that some disorders might
be anticipated. General Wood says that the
spring elections in other sections of the
island may also cause some trouble, but
af{ TOW hn al fro rt,il u
of the island will be resumed.
Conference Over Cuban Affairs.
General Wood went to the War Depart
| ment very soon after the opening of busi-
ness hours and after a short talk with Ad-
jutant General Corbin was at once shown
into Secretary Roots office. The Secretary
Immediately held a conference respecting
Cuban affairs, and from the attendance it
was evident that the meeting had been ar
ranged over night. For instance, Senator
Platt of Connecticut, chairman of the Sen
ate committee charged with the care Of
Cuban affairs, was present, so that he
might be in a position to keep the Senate
thoroughly informed with what the execu-
tive is doing in it's efforts to carry out the
will of Congress as expressed toward Cuba.
Admiral Bradford, chief of the bureau of
equipment, Navy Department, was also in
attendance. There could be no doubt that
his presence was desired because Of the
1act that the location or cOallng stations In
Cuba is to be maue upon his recommenda
ton. The admiral has given the subject
thorough study, and, in fact, there is rea-
SON to believe that the formulation Of the
United States demand for coaling stations
in Cuba was upon the original suggestion
Of Admiral Bradford. who has a keen ap-
probation Of naval needs in the gulf.
The Secretarys door was closed to all
callers as soon as General Wood, Senator
Platt and Admiral Bradford Joined him in
his office, though within few minutes As
sistant Secretary Sanger was sent for and
joined the conference
Gen. WOed Makes a Statement.
1t was understood that General Wood en-
tered at once into thorough exposition of
the complicated Cuban trouble, as he saw
it fresh from the Cuban capital. He was
perfectly informed as to the desires Of the
visiting commission and by appraising Sec
retary Root in advance of the reception of
that body of the nature Of their errand
the Secretary was enabled to prepare him
self for the presentation of views that was
expected on behalf of the commission
1t is gathered that next to the subjects
of coaling stations and the right of the
United States to intervene in Cuba in the
| interests Of peace and order. the Cubans