Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 March 1902 — ORDER THAT MAKES CUBA FREE. [ARTICLE]

ORDER THAT MAKES CUBA FREE.

Text of Communication front Secretary Root to Gen. Wood. Secretary Root, of the War Department, Tuesday afternoon made public the following order to General Wood directing him to turn over the control and government of Cuba to its people on May 20 next: Sir: You are authorized to provide for the Inauguration, <>u the 20tli of Muy next, of the government elected by the people of Cuba; and ttpou the establishment of snld government to leave the government and control of the island of Cuba to its people, pursuant to the provisions of the Act of Congress entitled: “An Act making appropriation for the artny for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1902.” approved March 2, 1001. Upon the transfer of government and control to the President and Congress so elected you will advise them that such transfer Is upon the express understanding und condition that the new government does thereupon and by the acceptance thereof, pursuant to the provisions of the appendix to the Constitution of Cuba, adopted by the constitutional convention ou the 12th of June, 1901, assume and undertake all and several the obligations assumed by the United States with respect to Culm by the treaty between the l ulled States of America and her Majesty, the Queen Regent of Spain, signed at Paris on the 10th day of December, IMW. It is the purpose of the United States Government, forthwith upon the hmug iratlon of the new government of Cuba, to terminate tbe occupancy of the Island by the United States nud to withdraw from that island the military forces now in occupancy thereof; but for the preservation and care of the coast defenses of the island, and to avoid leaving the island entirely defenceless against external attack, you may leave iu the coast fortifications such small number of artillerymen as may be necessary for such reasonable time as may be required to enable the new government to organize and substitute therefor an adequate military force of Its own; by whlchthrt" it is anticipated that the naval stations referred to in the statute and In the appendix to the “onstitutiou above cited, will have been agreed upon, and the said artillerymen may be transferred thereto. You will convene the Congress elected by the people of Cuba in joint session at such reasonable time before the 20th of May as shall lie necessary therefor for the purpose of performing the duties of counting and rectifying the electoral vote for President President under tbe fifty-eighth article of the Cuban Constitution. At the same time you will publish and certify to the people of Cuba the instrument adopted as the Constitution of Culm by the constitutional convention bn the “'jt day of February, 1901, together with the appendix added thereto and forming a part thereof, adopted by the said convention on the 12th day of June, 11MH. It Is the understanding of the Government of the United States tnat the Government of the Island will pass to the new President and Congress of Cuba ns a going concern; all the laws promulgated by the Government of occupation continuing In force and effect, and all the Judicial and subordinate executive and administrative officers continuing in the lawful discharge of their present functions until changed by the constitutional officers of the new Government. At the same time the responsibility of the United States for the collection and expenditure of revenues, and for the proper performance of duty by the officers and employes of the insular Government will end, and the responsibility of the new Government of Cuba therefor will commence. In order to avoid any embarrassment to the new President which might arise from bls assuming executive responsibility with subordinates whom he does not know, or in whom he has not confidence, and to avoid any occasion for sweeping changes in the civil service personnel immediately after the inauguration of the new Government, approval is given to the course which you have already proposed of consulting the President-elect and substituting before the 2Oth of May, wherever he shall so desire, for the persons now holding official positions such persons as he may designate. This method will make it necessary that the new President and yourself should appoint representatives to count und certify the cash and cash balances and the securities for deposits transferred to the new Government. The consent of the owner of the securities for deposits to the transfer thereof you will, of course, obtain. The vouchers and accounts in the office of the Auditor and elsewhere relating to the receipt and disbursement of moneys during the Government of occupation must necessarily remain within tbe control and available for the use of this department. Access to these papers will, however, undoubtedly be important to the officers of the new Government in the conduct of their business subsequent to the 20th of May. You will, accordingly, appoint an agent to take possession of tnese papers, and retain them at such place in the Island of Cuba as may be agreed upon with the new Government until they can he removed to the United States without detriment to the current business of the new Government. I desire that you communicate the contents of this letter to Mr. Palma, the Presi-dent-elect, and ascertain whether the course described accords with bls views and wishes. Very respectfully. EUHU ROOT, Secretary of War. Brigadier Geueral la>onard Wood, Military Governor of Cuba, Havana, Cuba.