Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 62, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 April 1902 — ROOSEVELT ON CUBA [ARTICLE]

ROOSEVELT ON CUBA

PRESIDENT SENDS SPECIAL MESSAGE TO CONGRESS. Document Is Exhaustive and Suggests in Detail Final Preparations for the Island’s independence—Provides for Treaty Embodying Agreements, President Roosevelt Thursday afternoon sent to Congress the following message recommending provision for diplomatic and consular representation in Cuba: To the Congress of the United States: 1 commend to Congress timely consideration of measures for maintaining diplomatic and consular representatives lu Cuba and for carrying out the provjslons of the act making appropriations for the support of the army for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1902, approved March 2, 1901, and reading as follows;,. Provided, further, That In fulfillment ofthe declaration contained In the joint resolution approved April 20, 1898, entitled "For the recognition of the independence of the people of Cuba, demanding mat the Government of Spain fellnqulsh Its authority and government In the Island of Cuba,, and to withdraw Its land and naval forces from Cuba nnd Cuban waters, and directing the President of the United States to use the land and naval forces of the United States to carry these resolutions Into effect,” the ' President Is hereby authorized to "leave the government and control of the Island of Cuba to its people” so soon as a government shall hn\e been established in said Island under a Constitution which; either as a part thereof, or In an ordinance appended thereto, shall define the future relations of the United States with Cuba, substantially as follows: Conditions for Cuba. "1. That the Government of Cuba shall never enter Into any treaty or other compact with any foreign power or powers which will impair or tend to Impair the Independence of Cuba, nor in any manner\authorlze or permit any foreign power or powers to obtain by colonization or for military or naval purposes or otherwise lodgment In or control over any portion of said island. "2. That said Government shall not assume or contract any public debt, to pay the Interest upon which and to make reasonable sinking fund provision for the ultimate discharge of which the ordinary revenues of the island, after defraying the current expenses of government, shall be Inadequate. "3. That the Government of Cuba consents that the United States may exercise the right to Intervene for the preservation of CubanTnffependouce, the maintenance of a government adequate for the protection of life, property anil Individual liberty and for discharging the obligations with respect to Cuba imposed by the treaty of Paris on the United States," now to be assumed and undertaken by tbe Government of Cuba. “4. That all acts of tbe United States In Cuba during Its military occupancy thereof are ratified and validated, and all lawful rights acquired thereuuder shall be maintained and protected. "0. That tbe Government of Cuba will execute, and as far as necessary extend, the plans already devised or other plans to be mutually agreed "Upon for the sanitation of the cities of the island, to the end that a recurrence of epidemic and Infectious diseases mayJje prevented, thereby assuring protection to the people and commerce of Cuba, as well as to the commerce of the southern ports of the United States and the people residing therein. "0. That the Isle of Pines shall be omitted from the proposed constitutional boundaries of Cuba, the title thereto belug left to future adjustment by treaty. “7. That to enable the United States to maintain the independence of Cuba, and to protect the people thereof, as well as for Its own defense, the Government of Cuba will sell or lease to the United States lands necessary for coaling or naval stations at certain specified points, to be agreed upon with the President of the United States. "8. That by way of further assurances the Government of Cuba will embody the foregoing provisions In a permanent treaty with the United States." Time for Fulfillment. The people of Cuba having framed a Constitution embracing the foregoing requirements, and having elected a President who Is soon to take office, the time Is near for the fulfillment of the pledge of the United States to lei*ve the government and control of the Island of Cuba to Its people. I am advised by the Secretary of War tha.t It Is now expected that the Installation of the Government of Cuba and the termination of the military occupation of that island by the Uuttcd States will take place on the 20th of May next. It Is necessary and appropriate that the establishment of International relations with the Government of Cuba should coincide with Its Inauguration, as well to provide a channel for the conduct of diplomatic relations with the new state as to open tbe path for the Immediate negotiation of conventional sgreements to carry out the provisions of the act above quoted. It Is also advisable that consular representation be established without delay at the principal Cuban ports in order that commerce with the Island may be conducted with due regard to the formalities prescribed by the revenue and navigation statutes of the United State*, and that American citizens In Cuba may have the customary local resorts open to them for their business need? and, the case for the protection "f their rights. I therefore recommend that provision be forthwith made and the salaries appropriated, to be Immediately available, for: Envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the Republic of Cuba, SIO,OOO. Secretary of the legation, $2,000. Second secretary of the legatiou, $1,300. Consul general at Havana, $5,000. Consuls at Clenfucg >s, s3,< 0O; Santiago de Cuba, $3,000. I do not recommend the present restoration of the consulates formerly maintained at Barncoa, Cardenas, Matunza*. Nuevltas, Sngua la Grande and San Juan de I.os Hemedlos. The commercial Interests at those ports heretofore have not been large. The consular fees collected there during the fiscal year 1890-97 aggregated $752.10. It is bellered that the actual needs of the six offices named can be efficiently subserved by agents, under the three principal consular offices, until events may show the necessity of erecting a full consulate at any point. The commercial and political conditions In the Island of Cuba while under the Spanish crown ufTord little basis for estimating the local development of intercourse with this country under the Influence of the new rela* ♦ions, which have been created by the achievement of Cuban Independence, and which are to be broadened and strengthened In every proper way by conventional pacts with the Cubans and by wlseuud beneflelent legislation aiming to stimulate the com inerce between the two countries. If the great task wo accepted In 1898 la to be fittingly accomplished. ..... „ THEODORE ROOSEN LLT.