Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-03-28
CUBA FOR CUBANS
FULL CONTROL WILL BE GIVEN
ON MAY 20.
Secretary Root Has Ordered the Withdrawal
of All Troops Except Small Force Of
Artillery. which Remains Temporarily =
All Treaty Obligations Must be Assumed
by the New Government.

All Treaty Obligations Must be Assumed
by the New Government.
Washington, March 27.-Secretary
Root has made public his order to Gen
eral Wood directing him to turn over
the government and control of Cuba to
Its people May 20 next. The order re-
quires the Cuban government to assume
all treaty obligations and directs Gen
eral Wood to continue an artillery force,
to avoid leaving the island entirely de-
fenseless, until the Cuban government
shall have opportunity to organize its
own forces. General Wood also is di-
rected to convene the Cuban congress
before May 20. He also is directed to
consult with President-elect Palma and
substitute such persons as he shall de-
sire for those now holding official posi-
tions in Cuba.
The text of the order follows:
"War Department, Washington,
March "a, 19O2-Sir: You are au-
thorized to provide for the Inaugural
tion on the goth of May next of the
government elected by the people of
Cuba, and upon the establishment of
said government to leave the govern
ment and control of the island of Cuba
to its people, pursuant to the provi-
sions of the act of congress entitled, an
act making appropriation for the army
for the fiscal year ending June 80,
1902 approved March 2, 1901.
%Io 1f n,anf
and controlsto 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 con-
stitution of Cuba, adopted by the con-
stitutional convention on the 18th 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, 1898.
It is the.purpose of the United States
government forthwith upon the inaug-
uration of the new government OF
Cuba to terminate the occupancy of the
island by the United States and with
draw from that island the military
forces now in occupancy thereof, but
for the preservation and care of the
coast defenses of the island, and to
avoid leaving the island entirely de-
fenseless against external attack, you
| Loo in, tho
such small number of artillerymen a.
may be necessary, for such reasonable
time as may be required to enable the
new government to organize and substi-
tute therefor an adequate military force
of its own.
."You will convene the congress
elected by the people OF Cuba in joint
session at such reasonable time before
the 2Oth of May as shall be necessary
therefor, for the purpose of performing
the duties of counting and ratifying the
electoral vote for president and vice
president under the 5th article of the
Cuban constitution. At the same time
you will publish and certify to the peo-
pie of Cuba the instrument adopted as
the constitution of Cuba by the consti-
tutional convention on the 21st day OF
FEBRUARY, 1901, together with the ap-
pendix added thereto and forming a
part thereof, adopted by the said con-
vention ON the 18th day of June, 1901
} It is the understanding of the govern
ment of the United States that the gov.
!, ernment of the island will pass to the
new president and congress of Cuba a.
governing concern, all the laws pro
mulgated by the government of oecupa
ton continuing in force and effect, ane
all the judicial and subordinate execu.
tive and administrative officials contin
uing in the lawful discharge of thei
present functions until changed by tn
constitutional officer of the new govern
ment. AT the same moment the re
: sponsibIity of the United States for tn
e collection and expenditure of revenue
o and for the proper performance of dut.
by the officers and employees of the in
sular government will end and the re
sponsibility of the new government Q
: Cuba will, therefore, commence.
"In order to avoid any embarrass
!, ment to the new president which Nigh
: arise from his assuming executive re
# sponsibilities with subordinates who1
!, he does not know, or in whom he ha
e no confidence, and to avoid any occs
It sion for sweeping changes in the civ
q service personnel Immediately after th
d Inauguration of the new government
e approval is given to the course whic
If you have already proposed of consul
}, ing the president-elect and submittin
|
ID shall SO desire, for the persons no
holding official positions such person
g as he may designate.
le 81 desire that you communicate tt
Is contents of this letter to Mr.. Palm
s the president-elect, and ascertai
D, whether the course above described a
II cords with his views and wishes. Vel
of respectfully,
"ELIHU ROOT, Secretary of War.