Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-11-08

Havana, Nov. 6.-The Cuban consti-
tutional convention met in Marti
theater at 2 o'clock yesterday after
noon. Long before that hour the the
alter was crowded. Many thousands
were unable to gain admittance and
the streets in the neighborhood were
blocked with people. Gen. Wood and
stan, accompanied by Gen. Fitzhugh
Lee and staff, received an ovation on
entering, the band playing America
Senior CiSnerOs and Gen. Rivera es-
corted Gen. Wood to the platform and
he Immediately opened the conven-
ton. LAS military governor of the
island Of Cuba, representing the
president of the United States" he
said, Il call this convention to order.
1t will be your duty first of all to
frame and adopt a 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 Sc
cure stable, orderly and free GOV
eminent When you have formulated
the relations which, in your
opinion, ought to exist between
Cuba and the United States, the gov
eminent of the United States Will
doubtless take such action on it's part
as shall lead to a final authoritative
agreement between the people of the
TWO countries to promotion of their
common interest"
! The convention organized with Sen
or Llorente, justice Of the supreme
court, as president, and Senior Villuen-
do as secretary. The following oath
was then administered:
1--WE, delegates, elected by the peo-
pie of Cuba to a national constitutions
al convention swear to faithfully to full
fill the duties Of our Office We publicly
and solemnly renounce allegiance to
or compact made with any state or ua-
ton, whether made directly or indf-
rectly, swearing to the sovereignty CT
the free and independent people If
Cuba and swearing to respect the con-
stitution this convention may adopt,
as we'll as the government established
by the constitution
All Of the 81 delegates were present
Senior Alleman, who said the conven-
ton was only continuation of the
fight for independence" moved that
the regulations governing the old Gu
ban assembly at Yaya in 1896 be
adopted. AS nobody seemed familiar
with them, the convention adjourned
until today when copies will be fur
nished the delegates.
A Wire from Wood.
Washington, Nov. GA cablegram
received at the war department from
Gen Wood, military governor of Cuba,
reports an enthusiastic opening of the
constitutional convention at Havana
yesterday. The dispatch follows
THE convention opened promptly
! at 2. Immense enthusiasm and cheer
ing for the United States. Absolutely
harmonious. Every evidence Of the
satisfaction of the people is com
plete."
Last night Gen. Corbin received the
following additional dispatch from
Gen. Wood The following resoIu-
lions, signed by majority of the del
egates as seconders, were presented
to the temporary president of the
convention just as it adjourned
doubtless to be passed at the next
session:
1.-The undersigned delegates propose
that the assembly adopt the following
resolutions: First, that a committee
assemble and proceed Immediately to
call on General Wood and manifest
the satisfaction with which the dele
gates have seen him carry out the
delicate mission entrusted to him;
second, that the same committee re-
quest Gen. Wood to telegraph to the
president of the United States as fol-
lows: THE delegates elected to the
constitutional convention assembled
at their inaugural meeting greet with
profound gratitude and affection the
president of the United States of
North America. They are satisfied
with the honesty demonstrated in the
fulfillment of the declarations made
in favor of the liberty and independ-
ence Of the Cuban people,"