The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-04
REHABILITATION OF CUBA.
Election of the Cosstitutional Con.
ventiOn and Events Following.

Election of the COnstitational Con.
vention and Events Following.
On the 25th of July, 1900. 1 directed that
a call be Issued for an election in Cuba
for members Of constitutional conven-
ton to frame a constitution as a basis
for stable and Independent government
in the island. In pursuance thereof the
Military Governor issued the following in
struetions:
Whereas the Congress OF the United States by
Its joint resolution of April 90 1898. declared
That the people OF the Island OF Cuba are
and of right ought to be- free and INDEPENDENT
THAT the United States hereby disclams any
disposition or intention to exercise sovereignty,
jurisdiction, or control over said island except
for the pacification thereof and asserts its de-
termination when that is accomplished, to leave
the government and control OF the island to its
people,
And whereas the people of Cuba have estat-
lshed municipal governments, deriving their au-
thority from the sutfrages OF the people given
under Just and equal laws. and are now ready,
in like manner. to proceed to the establishment OF
a general government which shall assume and
exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction, and control
the island:
Therefore, it is ordered that general cleo.
ton be held in the Island OF Cuba on the third
Saturday OF September, in the year nineteen
hundred, to elect delegates to a convention to
meet iii the city of Havana at IL O'Clock noon
on the first Monday OF November in the wear
nineteen hundred, to frame and adopt a consti-
tuition for the people of Cuba, and as a part
thereof to provide for and agree with the Gov
eminent OF the United States upon the relations
to exist between that Government and the Gov.
eriment of Cuba, and to provide for the election
by the people of officers under such eonstitu-
ton and the transfer OF government to the Of
ficers elected.
The election will be held in the several yot-
ing precincts of the island UNDER and pursuant
to. the provisions OF the electoral law of AnriI
Is, 1900 and the amendments thereof
The election was held on the eth Of
September. and the convention assembled
on the 5th of November, 1900 and is DOW
in session.
In calling the convention to order. the
Military Gorc--or of Cuba made the fol-
lowing statement:
As Military Governor of the island repre-
ssnting the President OF the United States I call
this convention to order.
1t will he your duty. first. to frame and adopt
n constitution for Cuba, and when that has been
done TO formulate what in your opinion ought
to be the relations between Cuba and the United
States
The constitution must be adequate to secure
stable orderly, and free government
When YOU have formulated the relations which
in your opinion ought TO exist between Cuba and
the United States the Government OF the United
States will doubtless take such action on its
part shall lead to fnal and authoritative
agreement between the people Of the two coun-
tries to the promotion OF their common interests
All friends OF Cuba will follow your delibera-
tons with the deepest interest. earnestly desr-
ing that you shall reach Just conclusions. and
that by the dignity. individual sef-rcstrant, and
wise conservatism which shall characterize your
the capacity OF the Cuban people