Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1900-12-07
PORTO RICO AND CUBA.
Success I'm the FOrmer-PrOgress
Toward Cuban Autonomy.


Toward Cuban Autonomy.
The civil government Of Porto Rico
provided for by the act OF the Congress
approved April -. 1900. Is in successful
operation. The courts have been estab-
lished: the Governor and his associates
working intelligently and tremendously.
are making a commendable success. On
the 9th of November general election
was held In the island for members Of
the Legislature and the body has been
called to convene on the first Monday OF
December
/ recommend that legislation be enacted
by Congress comforting upon the Secre-
tsry OF the Interior supervision over the
public lands in Porto Rico. and that he
be directed to ascertain the location and
quantity of lands the title to which re-
manned in the crown Of Spain at the date
the cession OF Porto Rico to the United
States. and that appropriations for sur
veys be made and the methods of the
disposition of such lands be prescribed
by law.
On the 18th Of July. 1900, directed
that a call be issued for an election in
Cuba for members Of constitutional
convention to frame a constitution as a
basis for a stable and Independent gov
eminent in the island. In pursuance
thereof the Military Governor issued the
following instructions:
whereas. The Congress OF the United
States by its joint resolution Of April 20.
1888. declared that the people Of the
Island of Cuba are and Of right ought to
be free and independents; that the I'm ted
States hereby disclaims any disposition
or intention to exercise sovereignty. juris-
diction or control over the said island.
except for the pacification thereof. and
accomplished to leave the government
and control of the island to its people:
and whereas the people Of Cuba have es-
tabl.shed municipal governments, deriv-
ing their authority from the SURFACES
of the people given under just and Aual
laws. and are now ready. in like manner
to proceed to the establishment Of a
general government whicH shall assume
and exercise sovereignty. juri-d;cti- n and
control over the island; therefore. 1t is
ordered that a general election be held
in the Island OF Cuba on the third Sat-
urday of September. In Il year 1900. for
delegates 10 convention TO meet In the
City of Havana at IL noon on the first
Monday of November, in the year 1900.
to frame and adopt a constitution for the
people of Cuba. and as part thereof
to provide for and agree with the gov
eminent Of the United States upon the
relations to exist between that govern
ment and the Government of Cuba, and
to provide for election by the people Of
transfer the government to the officers SO
elected.
THE election will be held in the several
voting precincts of the island under and
pursuant to the provisions Of the electoral
law of April IS. 1900. and the amend
ments thereof"
The election was held on the 18th of
September. and the convention assembled
on the 9Th of November. 1900 and Is now
in session. In calling the convention to
order the Military Governor Of Cuba made
the following statement:
LAS Military Governor Of the island.
representing the President of the United
States, l call this convention to order. 1t
will be your duty first to frame and adopt
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 a stable, orderly and free govern
ment. When you have formulated the re-
lations 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 as
shall lead to a final and authoritative
agreement between the people of the two
countries to the promotion Of their COM
mon interests. All friends Of Cuba will
follow your deliberations with the deepest
interest earnestly desiring that you shall
reach just conclusions, and by the dig
nifty, individual self-restraint and wise
conservatism which shall characterize
your proceedings the capacity OF the Gu
ban people for representative government
may be signally illustrated. The funda-
mental distinction between true repubii-