The Washington times., 1902-06-17
Secretary Hay Presents
Senor Gonzales de-
Quesada.
FIRST FROM NEW REPUBLIC
Exchange CT Fluctuations Purely
Formal in Their Nature-At Their
Conclusion Mr.. Roosevelt Expressed
Personal Qualification.

The formal presentation to President
Roosevelt of Senor Gonzales de Quesa-
da, the first minister OF the Cuban re-
public to the United States, took place
at the White House yesterday morn
ing. The new diplomat was introduced
by Secretary Hay. and thereupon pre-
sented his letter of credence. He said:
Senor Quesada's Remarks.
Mr.. President: have the high honor
of handing you the letter which accred-
its me near your Government as envoy
extraordinary and minister plenipo-
tentiary Of the republic of Cuba.
Il gives me pleasure to transmit to
your excellency the most cordial greet
ing of the president. Tomas Estrada
Palma. and his fervent VOWS for the
continued welfare and prosperity of the
United States.
Faithfully interpreting the sentiments
of the Cuban people, it is his desire
that the relations between the two
countries. strcngt hened by new ties of
mutual commercial interests. shall be
every day closer and friendlier, as they
should be in any case. by reason of
the noble ard disiutercSted conduct OF
the American people.
Ny constant aim. Mr. President, will
be to do all that IS possible in order
that the harmony and fraternity be-
tween the greatest naticn of America
and the youngest shall be as lasting as
will be eternal the cult for thc memory
OF these Who shed their blood that
Cuba might be, as she is today, free
and Independent nation.
MIR. Rcosevelt's Formal Reply.
The Presidents formal reply was as
follows:
Mr.. Minister; 1t is with great pleas
urc that ! receive from your hanGs the
letter, of his exceIlency the President
OF Cuba, accrediting you as envoy extra
ordinary and minister plenipotentiary
from Cuba to the United States. and ac-
knowledge the presidents cordial greet
in.
You may assure him that shall omit
no opportunity to draw closer the spe-
oial ties OF friendship and association
which already unite the peoples cf the
United States and of the republic OF
Cuba.
cordially welcome you. Mr. Min
lister, TO this Capital, and am confident
that your residence here will materially
contribute TO the good relations which
both governments are anxious to main
tain.
~r Personally Gratifed.
When these formal official greetings
had been exchanged the President ex-
pressed TO Senior Quesada his personal
qualification in greeting the reDresen-
tative of the new republic and recalled |
that his acquaintance with the Cuban |
diplomat began a number of years ago. !
The new minister responded in si-ni- |
larly happy phrases, and Secretary Hay |
recalled the fact that the reception of |
q minister from the Republic of Cuba |
marked the elimination of his own ef- |
forts in the diplomatic service of this |
country to securing the islands inde- |
pendence.
Secret Negotiations.
Thirty-two years ago Secretary Hay, |
then secretary of tine United States lc- |
CATION at Madrid, Spain, participated in |
secret negotiations, under the terms of |
which Cuba was TO be given her free |
dom from Spanish sovereignty by the
payment of about 500. 00O, ,OOO. That was |
in Grants Administration, when Gen. |
Daniel S. Sickles was United States |
Minister to Spain.
Yesterdays ceremony was of especial |
interest. therefore, not only as marking
the actual beginning of a new republic.
hut as terminating a period of thirty
years of strife by the people of Cuba for
The independence which they have finally
obtained, mainly through the good Of
fces of the Government of the United |
States.