Evening star., 1902-03-26

ernment of Cuba to its people May 20 next.
The order requires the Cuban government
to assume all treaty obligations, and directs
General Wood to continue a small artillery
force to avoid leaving the island entirely
defenseless until the Cuban government
shall have opportunity to organize its own
force. General Wood also is directed to
convene the Cuban congress before May 20.
He also is to consult with President-elect
Palma and substitute such persons as he
shall desire for those now holding official
positions in Cuba.
Secretary Roots Order.
The text of this order Is as follows:
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, March "a, 1902.
Sir: You are authorized to provide for
the Inauguration, 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 government and
control Of the Island of Cuba to it's people,
pursuant to the provisions of the act of
Congress entitled AN act making appro-
priation for the army for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1902 approved March 2,
1901.
Upon the transfer of government and con-
troll to the president and congress elect
ed you will advise them that such transfer
is upon the express understanding and con-
dition that the new government does there
upon, and by the acceptance thereof, pur-
suant to the provisions of the appendix to
the constitution of Cuba, adopted by Inc
constitutional convention on the 18th of
June, 1901, assume and undertake all and
several the obligations assumed by the
by the treaty between the United
States of America and her ma jesty
the Queen Regent of Spain, signed at Paris
on the 10th day of December, 1898. 1t Is
h.
ment, forthwith upon the inauguration of
the new government of Cuba, to terminate
the occupancy of the island by the United
States and to withdraw from that island
the military forces now in occupancy there
of; but for the preservation and care of the
coast defenses of the island, and to avoid
leaving the island entirely defenseless
against external attack, you may leave in
the coast Notifications such small number
of artillerymen as may be necessary for
such reasonable time may be required to
enable the new government to organize and
substitute therefor an adequate military
force of its own, by which time it is antici-
pated that the naval stations referred to in
the statute and in the appendix to the con-
st1tution above cited Will have been agreed
upon, and the said artiHerymen may be
transferred thereto. r-..-..
You will convene the. congress elected
by the people of Cuba in joint session
at such reasonable time before the Goth Of
May as shall be necessary therefor for
the purpose of performing the duties of
counting and rectifyng the electoral vote
for president and vice president, under the
5Sth article of the Cuban constitution. At
the same time you will publish and certify
to the people of Cuba the instrument
adopted as the constitution of Cuba by the
constitutional convention on the 21st day
Of February, 1901, together with the ap-
pendiX added thereto, and forming a part
thereof. adopted by the said convention
on the 18th day OF June 1901. 1t is the
understanding Of the government of the
United States that the government of the
island will pass to the new president and
congress of Cuba as going concern; all
the laws promulgated by the government
of occupation continuing in force and ef-
feet, and all the judicial and subordinate
executive and administrative officers con-
tinuing in the lawful discharge of their
present functions until changed by the
constitutional officers of the new govern
ment. At the same moment the respon-
sibility Of the United States for the col
lection and expenditure of revenues, and
for the proper performance of duty by the
officers and employees Of the insular gov
ernment, will end, and the respons: :bility
Of the new government Of Cuba therefor
will commence.
In order to avoid any embarrassment
to the new president which might arise
from his assuming executive responsibility
with subordinates whom he does not know,
or In whom he has not confidence and to
avoid any occasion for sweeping changes in
the civil service personnel Immediately after
the inauguration OF the new government,
approval is given to the course which you
have already proposed of consulting the
president-elect, and substituting, before the
10Th of May, wherever he shall so desire
for the persons now holding official posi-
tions, such persons as he may designate
This method will make it necessary that
the new president and yourself should
appoint representatives to count and GER
tify the cash and cash balances, and the
securities for deposits, transferred to the
new government. The consent Of the
owner of the securities for deposits to the
transfer thereof you will, Of course, obtain
OF the auditor and elsewhere relating to
the receipt and disbursement of moneys
during the government of occupation must
necessarily remain within the control, and
available for the use, Of this department.
Access to these papers will, however I'M
doubtedIy be important to the officers of
the new government in the conduct of their
business subsequent to the 10Th Of May
You Will, accordingly appoint an agent
retain them at such place in the Island of
Cuba as may be agreed upon with the new
government, until they can be removed to
the United States without detriment to the
current business Of the new government
L desire that you communicate the con-
tents of this letter to Mr.. Palma, the presi-
dent-elect. and ascertain whether the
views and wishes. 9: srs.it
Very respectfully,
ELIHU ROOT,
Secretary of War.
Brigadier General Leonard Wood,
Military Governor of Cuba.
Havana, Cuba. p .1-f1 sa-..
Order Of Gen. Miles.