The age-herald., 1902-03-25
Conference of Opposition Lead-
 CTS and the President
NO AGREEMENT REACHED.
Roosevelt Clearly Showed That He Was In Favor of More Relief Be Ing Given Than That Allowed
 By Mr. Payne's Measure.

held at the White House this afternoon between the President and seven of the Republican members of the House of Representatives who have been foremost in opposing the plan of Cuban reciprocity urged by the ways and means committee and understood to have the support of the administration. These members were Representatives Tawney and Morris of Minnesota, Dick of Ohio, William A. Smith of Michigan, Minor of Wisconsin. Metralfe of California and Dayton of West Virginia
 As General Wood has arrived here from Cuba- and as several members of the cab inet were at the White House while the Congressman were there, a report gain ed circulation that Secretary Root and General Wood were present during the conference. This, however, was not the case.
 The talk took a wide range. covering the conditions in Cuba, what should be done to meet these conditions, and also the question of harmonizing conflicting interests so that there might be unanimi- ty of action on the part of the Republ- cans in Congress.
 President Favors Reciprocity.
 The callers were frank to concede that they found the President desirous of eX- tending effective relief to Cuba by the reciprocity plan. In this connection, 1t was stated, the President drew attention to the fact that the Sibley amendment, limiting the reciprocity period to Decem- Der 1, 1903, gave the Payne bill a rather one-slded aspect, as 1t asked Cuba to adopt our naturalization and immigra- lo. anA oil tariff nOnpaagiOnd without limit of time, and in return give to Cuba tariff concessions limited to about a year and half. Some of the Congress- men present were inclined to admit that we were asking a good deal from Cuba in return for the little we would grant her.
 The interchange of views became quite general. but there was nothing in the way of definite propositions.
 No Request for Amendment.
 The suggestion was made that if the Payne bill had been modified so as to take off the differential on refined sugar, some of the grounds of opposition might have been removed. However, there was no reouest. so far as can be learned. that the bill be amended in this particu- lar at the present stage. The plan or rebate, which was urged at one time also came in for discussion and explanation
 At the conclusion of the conference the general understanding was reacneo that any statements made to the public would be to the general effect that no conclu- sions were reached and that the con1er- ence was confined to general nter- change of views. It Is understood that the Presiden,., will see some Of the mem bers of the ways and means commlttee tomorrow, thus familiarizing himseH Wlth both sides of the issue which has recently arisen in the House. He hopes that thls general interchange with the leaoeIs from both sides may bring apoul uIlalli- mity of action in whatever Is done Tn De- half of Cuba.
 IMPORTANT CONFERENCE TO
 DISCUSS cUBA's TRANSFER.
 Washington, March A.-An important conference was held at the War Depart ment this afternoon between Secretary Root and General Wood military gov ernor of Cuba in regard to Cupah al- fairs. It is understood 1t related to reg islatton necessary to put the new Cupan republic on a sound commercial basis at the outset of it's career. General Wooo has expressed the opinion that the pro posed 20 cent reduction on Cuban nm ports will not afford the desired reiieh to Cuba. He is endeavoring to secure more liberal concessions.
 The plan for General Wood to meet President -eleot Palma in New York next Wednesday has been abandoned. Presi- dent Palma will come to Washington this evening and have a personal talk with President Roosevelt at the White House for the purpose of agreeing upon A aeueral plan for the transfer or the new government to the new elected onl- oiaIs of the republic It IS understood Secretary Root and General Wood Will be present According to the present pro gramme, Senor Palma will be duly in- stalled in the presidential onice on the first of May and a portion of the United States army will remain on the island after that date as long as their presence may be necessary to preserve peace and good order and perfect the hnal detail of the transfer. It Is stated the troops will all be withdrawn as soon as the new government is in successful opera tion and able to proceed without outside assistance.
 Cenerai Wood also discussed Cuba with the President. Senators Platt, New forK; Hale. Spooner and Quay dropped In dur Ing the conference and gave their views PREsIpENT-ELECT PALMA
 MEETS MIR. ROOSEVELT.
 Washington, March A-General Estrada Palma, preeident-elect of Cuba met Fres- ident Roosevelt in his otnciai cap@SitS for the first time tonight when the Tor mer was the guest of honor at an in- formal dinner at the White House The others present were Mrs. Roosevelt, sec retary and Mrs. Root Minister and Mrs. RaIlamy Storer, General Leonard Wood' senor Gongalas Dequada and Senor Dedeo Tamayo, well known Cubans, who came over from New York with General Palma this evening. While the anair was largely of a social character the prospective transfer of Cuba from the Americans to the new government pro- vided for by the recent constitutional convention was discussed and questions incident thereto received consideration The actual date of transfer of govern ment, 1t is said, has not been definitely determined on as yet. The date has been tentatively fixed as May 1 and the offi- cials of this government have believed 1t could be accomplished by that time. More recently, 1t has become apparent that for various reasons. there may have to be a postponement of the transfer to date later in the month, say probably the tenth or the twelfth. more likely the lat ter day.