Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 March 1902 — REPUBLIC TO BE BORN. [ARTICLE]

REPUBLIC TO BE BORN.

On May 20 the United States Will Quit the Island of Cuba. May 20, 1902, is the new date fixed for turning over the island of Cuba to its people. The change of date was made with the full approval of President-elect Palma and his advisors, Senors Tamaya and Queseda, who were with him at the War Department in Washington. This date should be a memorable one in Cuban history, for it will not only mark the acquisition of full independence, but will be the Cuban inauguration day, it having been determined that President Palma shall be inaugurated on the same day that American control of the island ceases. All but the smallest details of the change in Cuba have been planned, and these remaining details were under adjustment at a meeting held at the War Department Tuesday. Besides Secretary Root, President-elect Palma and Senors Tamaya and Quesada, Gen. Wood attended. Besides the final selection of May 20 as Cuban independence day, two other important conclusions were reached. The first was that Gen. Wood should immediately upon his return to Cuba; issue a call convening the first Cuban congress in session on May 10, in order that the body might employ the ten days following that date in supplying any legislation necessary to the assumption of full powers in the island. The other conclusion was that there should be no half-way evacuation of the island. The present disposition is to move the entire United States contingent, civil and military, away from the island, not even leaving a corporal's guard of United States soldiers in any of the camps. If this program is not executed it will be for the sole reason that the Cubans themselves, through their authorized officials, request that the departure of the United States troops be delayed for a time.