The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-04-26
CONFERENCE WAS EXECUTIVE
AND THE PARTIES THERETO RE-
FRAMED FROM TELLING WHAT
TRANSFERRED
ARE RECEIVED BY MKINLEY
Formal CaII at the White House in
the Morning and State Ban
Huet in the Even
ing.

WASHINGTON April 25.-The Cuban
delegation from the convention framing
the constitution for the new island re-
pdblic saw President Mckinley twice to-
day, once in the early part of the day
when there We're introductions and a
formal exchange of expressions OF
friendship between the United States and
Cuba, and again at night when the mem
bers of the delegation were the guests of
honor 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 10 the dele
gates that he would confer with the sec
retary, who would act as his representa-
tive in conferences over the Cuban situ-
alton. The delegatiOr and Secretary
Root were closeted for some hours in
the afternoon in a discussion of the re-
latiOns of the island to the United
States. Secrecy was observed as to the
conference the statement heing 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
conversation being almost wholly in
formal. Senor Capote ir his address to
the president, spoke of the desire of the
lations with the United States He said
that United States soldiers and Cubans
had fought side by side and driven Spain
from the island and the ties between
she two countries were bound in blood.
LOOK TO INDEPENDENCE.
The relationship, therefore. between
the countries always should be most
R1nicable and closer thar that which
usually exist between nations. He also
spoke of the gratitude which Cuba felt
for the United States for the assistance
rendered in her liberation
In response the president expressed his
pleasure at meeting the delegation and
dsired through them to extend his kind.
est wishes to the people of the island
He said that his interest in Cuba always
had been very great and ne made refer,
enee TO messages he had sent to con-
gress concerning the island It's welfare
always would be the subject of his most
earnest consideration. He congratulated
the members of the delegation upon be-
ing members of the Cuban constitutional
convention. He said it was a high honor
and 1t fell to the lot of but few men to
have the opportunity to frame a gov
eminent for a republic. Concerning the
object of the delegations visit the presi-
dent said he would confer with the sec
retary of war, and the secretary. having
an Intimate knowledge of the situation
would confer with the delegation.
BOTH SIDES PLEASED.
The most important meeting of the
day was a conference in Secretary Roots
oIfice lasting from until 6 o'clock in
the afternoon This was the first busi-
ness meeting, the others having been
social and formal. Those present were
the live Cuban delegates, their in
teTpreter. Secretary Root, Gen. Wood,
Assistant Secretary Sanger, Senor Con-
zales, Gen. Woods secretary, who acted
as interpreter a great portion of the
TINS. The army officers who are acting
as escort for the Cubans also were pres
ent. When the meeting adjourned no
Official statement was made as to the
proceedings, but it can be said that the
result was considered satisfactory both
" the Cubans and Secretary Root Tho
business was not completed and the con-
terence Will reaSemble tomorrow after
noon. The fact that the entire conversa-
ton had to be through Interpreters made
1t necessary to proceed slowly. It was
made plain to the Cubans by Secretary
Root that no modification of the Platt
amendment could be made by the ex-
ecutiNe department of the government
and the Cubans themselves understand
that there is little possibility of congress
slonaI action in that direction so the
conference was devoted largely to the
construction which could be placed upon
me amendment. The law states that
the propositions contained in the amend
ment shall be "substantially' agreed to
by the Cubans and the discussion de-
VOWED chiefly around what will be con-
sldered q substantially agreement to the
Platt amendment requirements.
CAPOTE AND ROOT.
There was some very fine legal spar
ring between Secretary Root and Senor
Capote, the president of the constitu
tional convention and chairman of the
delegation, as to the meaning of the
amendment and the meaning of certain
proposed drafts of the different proposi-
tions that were considered. Both the
secretary and Senor Capote expressed
their views quite freely and the exchange
o1 suggestions and replies was very in
Iefestng to those present. The inter-
Ventlon proposition caused the most dis
cussion and as this had received much
consideration in the convention in Ha
Vana, the CubanS We're familiar with all
phases of the construction that might
be placed upon it. All members of tbe
delegation took more or less part in the
discussion and the views of each were
gwen careful attention by Secretary
Root.
1t is understood that the Cubans are
impressed with the desire on the part
of this government to deal fairly nv
Cuba and the belief is expressed that
the delegation will take home fayorabla
reports Of our intentions
The delegation made no complaint of
the present military government under
Gen. Wood. After the conference adj
journed the Cubans called on Gen. Wood
at the Richmond Tomorrow Secretary
Root will entertain the delegates at
luncheon.