The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-10
Fundamental Law OF the New Nation
as Agreed Upon I'm Recent
Delegate Convention.
THE TEXT OF THE DOCUMENT
STATUS OF FOREIGNERS AND RIGHTS
OF CITIZENS DEFINED.
Government Modelled I'm Many Re-
spccts on that of the United
states-A Debt Re~pudfated.

mission. Copyright by p. F. Collier q
Son, 1901
on the first Monday in November, 1900.
General Leonard Wood. military governor
OF Cuba. called 10 order the delegates who
had been elected by the people and sent 10
Havana to draw up a Constitution under
which the republic OF Cuba shall be gov
erned. After opening the convention Gen
eral Wood announced the purposes OF the
United States and told the delegates what
their duties would be. ending with. And
when you have completed your Constitution
you shall say what. in your opinion. should
be the relations between the United States
and Cuba"
If there was any anticipation OF delay on
the part OF the United States that expecta-
ton was found to be erroneous when Con-
zalo de Quesado called for night sessions
and announced that those members who OPP
posed the movement would be considered
obstructionists. -Four delegates voted
against it.
The Cubans have surprised every one
who did not know them. have accomplished
their purpose. and have complied with their
instructions. leaving the question Of rela-
tions to be settled in the only proper man.
ner. by direct negotiation between the two
republics.
The following is the result OF their labors:
TEXT OF THE CONSTITUTION.
I'VE, the delegates of the Cuban people,
says the preamble. having met in assem-
bly, for the purpose Of agreeing upon the
adoption OF a fundamental law, which. az
the same time that it provides for the con-
stitution into a sovereign and independent
nation of the people of Cuba, establishes 6
solid and permanent form Of government
capable of complying with its international
obligations. insuring domestic tranquility.
establishing justice, promoting the general
welfare and securing the blessing OF liber-
ty to the inhabitants. do agree upon and
adopt the following Constitution in pur-
suance of said purpose. invoking the pro-
lection of the Almighty"
According to Title 1 the people OF Cuba
are constituted into q sovereign state un-
der a republican form OF government" and
''the territory of the republic comprises the
Island Of Cuba and the islands and keys
adjacent thereto" such as were included
under the Spanish regime. This is divided
into six provinces. as at present. which
may be renamed by the provincial councils
and changed by agreement Of the provin-
cial councils and the congress.
Citizenship Is defined in Title .. Cubans
by birth are those born of Cuban parents;
children Of foreign parents who. after at
tanning majority, register as Cubans. and
persons born abroad of Cuban parents that
have lost their citizenship. who. upon at
tanning majority. register as cubans. Those
who may be naturaiized are: Foreigners
who belonged to the army OF liberation:
foreigners domiciied in Cuba since Jan. 1.
1899: other foreigners after five years resi7
dence; Spaniards who resided in Cuba April
II. 1893. and had not registered as Spanish y
subjects up 10 April IL, 1900; Africans who
may have been slaves in Cuba. and those
emarcipated by the treaty OF ISIS.
Citizenship may be lost by acquiring citi-
zenship in a foreign country, accepting
office or honors from a foreign government.
entering a foreign military or naval serv-
ice and residing IN the country OF birth for
five years. Citizenship lost. however. may
be recovered. Cubans are compelled TO bear
arms and pay taxes.
RIGHTS OF FOREIGNERS AND CITI-
ZENS.
FOREIGNERS are to have equal rights with
Cubans, according TO Title 3, in protection
Of person and property. before the courts.
! and in civil rights, subordinate 10 reguia-
lions made by Congress. and are enjoined
to obey the laws, support the state and
obey the judgments Of the courts.
Title is the bin OF rights. Here are the
Individual Rights" enumerated under this
head:
"AII Cubans shall have equal rights be-
fore the law: no tribunal shall recognizes
personal privileges.
mo person shall be arrested except in the
cases and manner prescribed by law.
"All persons arrested shall be either
placed at liberty or delivered TO the judicial
authorities within twenty-four hours after
their arrest.
THE privacy Of correspondence and other
private shall not be violated.
and the same shall not be seized except by
order OF a competent authority and with
the formalities prescribed by law. and in
this case all points therein not relating TO
the matter under investigation shall be
kept secret. Private dwellings shall be in
violate.
''The expression Of thought shall be free.
be il either by word OF mouth. by writing.
by means OF the public press or by any
other method whatsoever. without being
subject 10 prior censorship; except under
the responsibility determined by law. when
the expression shall reflect upor personal
honor or the public tranquility.
mo person shall be molested I'm the ex-
| ercise OF religion of whatever belief he may
choose nor in his method OF worship. pro-
vided ne conforms TO Christian morality
and public order. The church and state
are separate for all purposes.
Science and learning shall be free and
every person shall have the right 10 learn
as he may elect the profession ne may
wish, and TO found and maintain instltu-
tions OF learning. reserving TO the state the
right to regulate the issuance OF titles for
the exercise Of public professions. So much
OF primary education as shall be compul-
sorry shall be free, the state sustaining the
expenses while the provinces and municl-
paiities are not able to do 50. Higher edu-
cation shall be at the expense OF the state.
"The conhscation OF property shall never
be imposed In any case whatsoever.
mo person shall be obliged I'd pay any
tax or contribution which has not been
previously ordered according to LAM.
EVERY author Or ipvcntor shan have a.
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