The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-04-25
CON VGNTION'S DELEGATES AND
THE GOVERNOR GENERAL ARE
IN WASHINGTON
TO CALL ON MKINLEY TODAY
COMMITTEE FROM THE ISLAND
WILL VISIT THE WHITE HOUSE
THIS MORNING
WOOD At WAR DEPARTMENT
Held an Extended Conference With
Secretary Root Regarding Com
ditiOnS in Cuba and the ISL
and's Probable Future.

and's Probable Future.
WASHINGTON, April PA commits
sion Of five delegates to the Cuban con-
stitutional convention, consisting of Do
mingo sMendez Capote, Petro E. Betau-
court, Rafael NJ. Portuondo, Diego Tam
ayo and Pedro Gonzales Llorente. who
were sent to Washington to confer with
the president regarding Cuban relations
with this country, arrived here today.
Tney were met at the station by Assist
ant Secretary of State Hill. Assistant
Secretary of War Sanger Capt. Saw
teile and Lieut.. Overton of the United
States army, detailed for that purpose,
and escorted to the Shoreham. The
delegates conversed with the reception
committee through an interpreter
though most of them speak English very
wei. 1t was stated that ARRANGEMENT
Tor their visit to the president would be
made through the war department.
Gen. Wood, military governor of Cuba
also arrived this morning with his family
and took apartments at the Richmond
he came to the war department and had
a conference with Assistant Secretary
Sanger. He sent his secretary to call
on the Cuban delegation to ascerta in
their desires for the day in order that
he might be able to act as their escort
either to the White house or the war
department Gen Wood las no direct
information from Gen. Whteside regard
ing the reported troubles at Santiago.
but before he left Cuba. he had been
advised by Gen. Whiteside that partv
strife was making some trouble in that
municipality, and that disorders might
be anticipated during the spring eIec,
tions in other sections of the island
d hNAx ~ Sc
the usual tranquility of the island will
be resumed
The delegates remained at their hotel
most OF the morning, as they were
fatigued by the long railroad trip from
Florida. Quite number of officials
called, including Assistant Secretary Hill
Tor the state department, and Assistant
Secretary Sanger for the war department,
who left cards individually for each
member of the delegation
When inquiry was made of Mr. Diego
Tamayo, delegate as to the plans
OF the party, he answered through the
interpreter, Mr.. Entenza, that the dele
cation felt it would be diScourteous to
enter upon 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. Arrangements have
been made at the war department by
which the secretary of war will receive
the delegation at IL o'clock tomorrow
morning, and probably escort them to
the White house about that time
WOOD CALLS ON PRESIDENT.
Gen. Wood reached the war department
shortly after 8 o'clock, and after a
brief talk with Adjt Gen Corbin. was
shown Into Secretary Roots office where
y n0fp
was held. Senator Platt, of Connecticut
chairman of the committee charged with
the care of Cuban affairs, was present,
as also were AsSistare Secretary Sanger
and Admiral Bradford, chief of the
bureau of equipment, navy department.
The latter's presence was desired as the
location of coaling stations in Cuba is to
be made. upon his recommendation
The secretary's door was closed to all
callers. 1t was understood that Gen
Wood entered at once into a thorough
exposition of the complicated Cuban
situation. He was perfectly informed
as to the desires Of the visiting commits
sion, and apprised Secretary Root of the
nature of their errand
1t is gathered that, next to the SUBJ
jccts of coaling stat{ ms and the right
OF the United States to intervene in
Cuha in the interests of peace and or
der. the Cubans attach most Importance
TO the subject of sugar duties The COM
mission is trying to secure a remission of
the United States duty on Cuban sugar.
1t is suggested that~if this cannot be
done at once, then the duty may be
removed gradually, reducing a percent
age each year until the sugar is duty
free
The president cannot grant this request
as 1t involves a change in the tariff laws
and therefore application must be had
ono w
direct joint legislation by the two houses
Tobacco, too, is another subject which
the secretary of war will be obliged to
discuss with the commissioners and on
that point he wanted advice The Cubans
are extremely desirous of securing a corr
siderable abatement in favor cf their own
tobacco, of the extremely high tariff inn
posed by the Dingley act upon all import
ed tobaccos.
PAUNCEFOTE AND HAY.
Lord Pauncefote, the British ambassa.
dor, was in conference with Secretary
Hay at the state department todav for
an hour In view of the approaching alb
Eence from Washington of Secretary Hav
1ne AMBASSADOR was desirous of dlsposing
OF pending matters. But the important
supJect OF discussion was the canal pro-
Ject. 1t is doubtful wether Lord Paunce
fote will be in Washington when Secre-
Ialy hay returns and he was extremely
anxious to be able, during his visit to
London, to report to the British foreign
office not only the exact situation here
respecting the canal problem. but also
upon the prospects of the ratification of
any convention that he might be able to
frame in conjunction with Secretary Hav
to replace the lost -Pauncefote
treaty.
secretary Hay has been at work ever
since congress adjourned taking sound
lngs with view to learning just what
could be expected of the senate in case
ne should submit another treaty to that
pody But for reasons heretofore ex-
pialned, up to this time he has not
peen able to secure a satisfactory view of
the legislative field. This is in a large
measure due to the reluctance Of some of
the leading senators to commit them
selves frankly in advance to certain ideas
respecting the canal Therefore, Lo d
Paaneefote, if he goes to London before
secretary Hay returns can present to the
Ioreign office only partially develoned
picture of the situation here, though be
may be able, through his long experience
IN washington, to supplant the ideas he
mas gathered from Secretary Hav with
some views of his own that NAV afford
the British government the information
II requires as precedent to initiating
negotiations for q new treaty.