The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-29
PART OF CUBAN TERRITORY.
Outcry Against American Retention
of the Isle of Pines.

HAVANA. Nov 2S.-The Discussion.
commenting on the report that the United
States intends to retain the Isle Of Pines
says that the statement may be mere
canard, but, on the other hand. II may
have been put out as feeler. The paper
expresses the opinion that it would be an
act of robbery for the United States 10
keep the island which always belonged
to Cuba. The inhabitants are regar led
as Cubans. The Treaty of Paris applied
to the Isle of Pines. and the Spaniards
residing there had to declare their In
tention of remaining Spanish subjects or
become Cubans. The inhabitants also
voted in the Cuban elections.
Senior Sanguily says that he introduced
motion in the convention to the enecf
that the relations between Cuba and the
United States should be considered while
the constitution is being made In order
to follow the course which seems most
likely to give a peaceful and satisfactory
result He says II the Cubans draw up
a constitution for an absolutely free and
independent government they will then
be logically unable to suggest relations
which would curtail that freedom. He
had no wish to curtail Cuban freedom,
but, nevertheless. he thought peace at any
price q better solution than trouble with
the United States.
He thought an army and navy unneces-
sary. and that Cuba should be free to
make commercial treaties. The best
guarantee for the internal peace OF the
island, he added, is the Jealousy with
which the Cubaps regard their own indie
penlence. which they feel sure would be
endangered If Internal order was upset.
II has been suggested that the delegates
come 10 a private understanding with the
Government CT the United States regard
ing the relations before saying what these
relations should be, and thus avoid trout
BILE afterward.
The Constitutional Convention met to-
day pursuant to adjournment, and decided
to further adjourn until next Tuesday, on
which day the sections, comprising six
delegates each. will begin to study prof.
ects which may have been presented for
constitution.
Senior Quesada, who proposed the adj
jcurnment, argued that as the sections
would have to supply the basis for con-
stitution If none was presented. the time
until Tuesday could be we'll spent in con-
sidering such basis. Senores Llorente
and Cisneros opposed Senior Quesada.
They said that the convention was work
ing only three hours day, and the dele
gates were being we'll paid. They should
therefore not shirk their work. The mo-
ton to adjourn. however. was carried by
an almost unanimous vote.
Senior Gualberto Gomez proposed that
the convention adopt the reply drawn up
by him in response to General Woods
speech opening the convention, and this
in face of the resolution previously
adopted that no answer of any description
should be sent to General Wood. The re-
ply of Senior Gomez amounts to an accep-
lance of the general terms CT the speech.
and expresses the intention of the con-
vention to carry out the terms contained
therein.
Senior Gomez's reason for wanting the
reply adopted is that he desires to let the
Government know the way in which the
convention understands the speech.