The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-04-09
CUBANS in CONTROL MAY 20
The Evacuation Order Made Public
by Secretary Root.
TRANSFER OF THE GOVERNMENT
New Authority Required to Assume All
Treaty Obilsations-Detnilso OF the Plan
OF Observation-Disclosures Troops TO
Remain Until Cubans Can Organize .
Military Force OF Their Own.

Remain Until Cubans Can organize .
Military Force OF Their Own.
Washington. D. C.-Secretary Root
has made public an order to General
Wood. directing him to turn over the
Government Of Cuba to Its people on
May 20 next. The order requires the
Cuban Government to assume all treaty
obligations. and directs General Wood
to continue an artillery force Of 500
men. to avoid leaving the island entire
ly defenseless, until the Cuban Gov
ernment shall have opportunity to or
ganize Its own force. General Wood
also Is directed to convene the Cuban
Congress before May 20. and to con-
suit with Presldent-elect Palma and
substitute such persons as he shall
desire for those now holding official
positions In Cuba.
The order says:
Upon the transfer Of Government
and control to the President and Con-
gress so elected. you will advise them
that such transfer Is upon the express
understanding and condition that the
new Government does thereupon and
by the acceptance thereof. pursuant to
the provisions Of the appendix to the
Constitution of Cuba. adopted by the
Constitutional Convention on the 10Th
Of June. 1901. assume and undertake
all and several the obligations assumed
by the United States with respect to
Cuba by the treaty between the United
States of America and her Majesty the
Queen Regent Of Spain. signed at Paris
on the 10th day of December. 1S9S."
After explaining the object In leav-
Ing on the island o small artillery
force, the order says. relative to the
converting Of the Cuban Congress:
You will convene the Congress elect
ed by the people Of Cuba In joint ses.
sion at such reasonable time before the
Goth Of May as shall be necessary
therefor. for the purpose of perform.
ing the duties Of counting and rectify-
Ing the electoral vote for President and
ce-President. under the ffty-eiehth
article Of the Cuban Constitution. At
the same time you will publish and
certify to the people Of Cuba the In.
strument adopted as the Constitution
Of Cuba by the Constitutional Conven.
tlon on the 21st day Of February. 1911.
together with the appendix added
thereto and forming part thereof.
adopted by the said Convention on the
l2th day of June. 1901. 1t Is the un-
derstanding Of the Government Of the
United States that the Government Of
the island will pass to the new Presi.
dent and Congress Of Cuba as going
concern: all the laws promulgated by
the Government Of occupation continu-
ing In force and effect. and all the
judicial and subordinate executive and
administrative Offices continuing In the
lawful discharge Of their present
functions until changed by the consti-
tutional officers Of the new Govern
ment. At the same moment the re-
sponsibility Of the United States for
the collection and expenditure Of rev.
enues and for the proper performance
Of duty by the officers and employees
Of the insular Government will end,
and the responsibility Of the new
Government Of Cuba therefor will COM
mence."
Provision Is made for the transfer
Of the cash and cash balances and
securities for deposits to tie new Gov
ernment. All vouchers and accounts
relating to the receipt and disburse-
ment Of moneys will remain In con-
troll Of the United States Government.
but they will be made accessible to the
Cuban officials until such time as they
can be removed to this country without
detriment to Cuba.
General Wood Is directed to make
known to President-elect Palma the
contents Of the order and ascertain
whether Its provisions are acceptable
to him.
All OF the troops now on the island
except 500 men Of the coast artillery
are to be brought to the United States
as rapidly as transportation facilities
will permit. between now and May 20.
The order also directs the Giscontinu-
ance Of the entire military department
Of Cuba and places the territory to be
temporarily retained by the United
States In the Department Of the East.
commanded by Major-General Brooke.
General Wood and all the staff officers
on duty In Cuba are ordered to report
to the Adjutant General at Washing.
ton.
Secretary Root has requested Secre-
tary Hay to arrange for diplomatic
representation Of the United States
In Cuba. Provision for consular ser.
vice will also be made.
Six Killed In o Ditch.
By the caving in Of an excavation at
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