Evening star., 1902-02-28
At THE WHITE HOUSE
Cuba Discussed at Today's
Ga )inet Meeting.
GEN. WOODS TELEGRAM
OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION OF ELEC-
TIoN OF PRESIDENT.
May 1 Probably the Date of Inaugu-
ration-No Agreement for With
GEN. WOODS TELEGRAM

The President and the five members of
the cabinet present at the regular cabinet
meeting today discussed Cuba more than
anything else. The discussion grew out of a
telegram received from Gen. Wood officially
notifying the United States that the Cubans
have elected president and other men,
bers of their government. With this Off
cial information the President and cabinet
talked about the steps the United States
will take in turning over the island to the
new government; when this turning
should take place the matter of treaties
and the withdrawal of troops. Nothing
definite had been decided upon when the
members of the cabinet left and Secretary
Root remained to lunch with the President.
The opinion seemed to prevail that May
would be good time for the inauguration
of President Palma and the new govern
ment and the turning over of affairs to the
people who will run that government There
was no agreement about the time for the
withdrawal of troops, and this will remain
an unsettled question for some time, pos
silly depending o, the action of the new
government. After the Cuban officials are
sworn in and take charge will come the
important duty Of negotiating treaties with
the United States. Until these treaties are
in operation it is not likely that all the
troops Of the United States will be with
drawn. While they will remain in Cuba
they will not, it IS thought, have any pow
erS for the preservation of peace. or for
interfering with internal affairs. They will
not attempt anything OF this kind and will
remain at their posts.
Treaties to Be Negotiated.
The treaties to be negotiated must in
, clude the Platt amendments, Which were
agreed to by the Cuban constitutional con-
vention and embodied as part Of the con-
stitution. These amendments will become
all the more binding by reason of being in
cluded in treaties.
The first duty of a new Cuban congress
will be the ratification of treaty with
this country. and if there is any opposition
to the Platt amendments it will probably
be to those features providing for coal1nS
stations and for the surrender of the Isle
of Pines to the United States. The Cubans
may be particularly Independent if none OF
the tariff concessions they ask are granted
by Congress.
The essential points in the Platt amend
ment which must be embraced in treaty
form are follows:
First-Cuba shall not make treaties with
foreign nations that might impair her inde-
pendence.
Second-That no debt or obligation shall
be assumed by the young republic which
cannot be met by the revenues Of the
island.
Third-Cuba shall consent to PROPOSE
tion from the United States to intervene to
maintain her independence.
Fourth-The acts of the military governor
shall be ratified.
Fifth-That, so far as possible present
sanitary plans of the island shall be exc
cuted.
Sixth-The title of the Isle of Pines shall
be determined by future agreement be-
tween the United States and Cuba.
Seventh-That the government of Cuba
shall sell or lease to the United States land
necessary to coaling and naval stations.
Two Conferences Held.
President Roosevelt had a conference with
Senator Frye this morning. 1t lasted for
some time. Another conference was held
with Representative Hopkins on Legislative
matters. Mr.. Hopkins, who is member Of
the ways and means committee of the House.
believes that his committee will eventual
ly report bill providing for reduc-
ton of the duty on Cuban sugar about 80
per cent Mr. Hopkins himself favors re-
duction of this amount. So does Repre-
sentative Long of Kansas, another member
of the committee. Mr.. Hopkins realizes and
appreciates the enormous pressure on the
committee from beet sugar and other in
terests. and can understand the reluctance
with which reduction will be agreed upon,
yet he is confident action will be taken in
sufficient time to enable Congress to act on
this question.
A Portrait of Mrs. Roosevelt.
Theobold Chartran the French painter.
was at the White House this morning with
Ambassador Cambon arranging to paint
portrait of Mrs. Roosevelt Mr. Chartran
will begin the painting at an early date
The work will be for the White House, and
will take its place In the collection of mis-
tfeSseS Of the mansion.
Rare Old Book for the President.
President Roosevelt was presented with a
rare old English volume this morning 1t Is
a collection of sermons and other valuable
data Of the time of Oliver Cromwell, and
was printed in 1862 The copy is an orig
inal of that date. 1t was presented by
Rev. DR.. Howard Duffield, pastor of the
old First Presbyterian Church of New
York city. Last year Mr.. Duffield was in
England and visited the ancient town of
Whitby. He met man Of literary dis
position named Gaskin, who was a great
admirer of President Roosevelt. Mr..
Gaskin had read the Presidents work on
Oliver Cromwell and concluded that the
President would be pleased to have vol
ume printed in that time and bearing upon
Cromwell and the events of those days
He accordingly selected a volume and in
trusted it to Mr.. Duffield to give to the
President.
The Charleston Trip.
President Roosevelt has received MANY
kilograms from South Carolina urging him
not to cancel his proposed trip to the
Charleston exposition result Of the
Tillman-McLaurin episode and ensuing Incl
dent. These have all been patriotic and
sincere, and have at least had the effect of
causing the President not to officially an
nounce determination to remain in Wash
ington. 1t is stated today that the Presi-
dents final action, whatever 1t be, will be
taken regardless Of the telegram OF Lieuten-
ant Governor Tillman.
The kilograms from South Carolina as
sure the President that no sympathy is felt
there for the action of Lieutenant Cover
nor Tillman and that there is general con-
demnation for his course. The kilograms
insist that the President will be most warm
ly received.
An Indian Petition.
Ex-Representative Springer today pre-
sented to the President request from lead
ing Indians that he aid in nfocuring the
passage of Senate bill No COO which enables
Indian nations or tribes to sue the United