The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-04-02
Y I

That the Isle of Pines shall be omit
ted from the proposed constitutional
boundaries of Cuba, the title thereto
being left to future adjustment by
treaty.
VII.
That to- enable the United States to
maintain the independence Of Cuba
and to protect the people thereof, as
we'll as for its own defense, the govern
ment of Cuba will sell or lease to the
United States lands necessay for coal
ing or naval stations at certain specl-
fed points, to be agreed upon with the
president of the United States.
VIII.
That by way of further assurance the
government of Cuba will embody the
foregoing in permanent treaty with
the United States.
The people OF Cuba having framed
constitution embracing the foregoing
requirements and having q president
who is soon to take Office, the time is
near for the fulfllment OF the pleoge
of the United States to leave the gov,
ernment and the control Of the lslana
of Cuba to its people. I am ADVISED
by the secretary of war that it is now
expected that the installation of the
government of Cuba and the termlna-
ton of the military occupation OF tnaJ
island by the United States will take
place on the 20th of May next.
It is necessary and appropriate that
the establishment of international
relations with the government OF CUBA
should coincide with its Inauguration,
as we'll as to provide a channel for the
conduct of diplomatic relations with
the new State as to open the path for
the Immediate negotiation Of econven-
tional agreements to carry out the
provisions of the act above quoted.
It is also advisable that consular repre-
sentation be established without delay
at the principal Cuban ports in order
that commerce with the island may De
conducted with due regard to the
formalities prescribed by the revenue
and navigation statutes of the United
States, and that American citizens IN
Cuba may have sthe customary local
resorts open to them for their bust
ness needs and, the cases arising, for
the protection of their rights.
I therefore recommend that provls-
ion be forthwith made and the salaries
appropriated, to be Immediately avail
able, for
A. Envoy extraordinary and minis
ter nipotentiary to the republic OF
Cuba $40, 600.
3. Secretary of the legation, 1900.
c. Second secretary of the legation,
5. Consul general at Hsbana,
So, 900.
E. Consuls at Cienfuegos, 5000;
Santiago de Cuba, So, 600.
I do not recommend the present
restoration Of the consulates formerly
maintained at Saracoa, Cardenas,
Matanzas, Nuevitas, Sagua la Grande
and San Juan de los Remedies. The
commercial interests at these ports
heretofore have not been large. The
consular fees collected there during
the fiscal year lS96-97 aggregated
s752. 10. It is believed that the actual
needs of the six Offices named can, be
efficiently subserved by agents under
the three principal consular Offices.
until events may show the necessity OF
erecting full consulate at any point.
The commercial and political coadi-
tions in the Island Of Cuba while un-
der the Spanish crown afford little
basis for estimating the local develop
rnent of intercourse with this conntry
Under the influence of the new rela-
tions which have been created by the
achievement Of Cuban independence
and which are to be broadened and
strengthened in every proper way by
conventional pacts with the Cubans
and by wise and beneficial legislation
aiming to stimulate the commerce be-
tween the two countries, if the great
task we accepted in 1898 is to be
fttingly accomplished.
Theodore Roosevelt.
WASHINGTON. March 27. 1902.