Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-03-29
Observation-Disclosures
Final Arrangements Made to Turn
Government Over to People.
FIRST INAUGURATION MAY 20

Cuban Government Will Assume All
Treaty Obligations, and a Small
Force Of American Troops Will Re.
main Temporarily.
Washington, March 26.-May 90
1902, is the new date fixed for turning
over the island of Cuba to its people.
The change of date was made with
the full approval of President-elect
Palma and his advisers, Seniors Tam
ava and Quesada, who were with him
at the war department yesterday. This
date should be memorable one in
Cuban history, for II will not only
mark the acquisition of full independ-
ence, but will be the Cuban Inaugural
ton day, it having been determined
that President Palma shall be lnaugu-
rated on the same day that American
control of the island ceases.
Secretary Root yesterday afternoon
made public his order to General
Wood. directing him to turn over the
control and government of Cuba to
it's people on May 20 next The order
requires the Cuban government to as
sumo all treaty obligations, and di-
reefs General Wood to continue a
small artillery force TO avoid leaving
the island entirely defenseless until the
Cuban government shall have oppor-
tunity to organize it's own force Gen.
erel Wood is also directed to convene
the Cuban congress before May 20. He
is also directed to consult with Presi-
nRnf-pfnnf
persons as he shall desire for those
now holding oficial positions in Cuba.
1t is understood that President-elect
Palma will not go to Havana until the
early part of May. His plans are not
fully matured and will depend on de
velopments OF the near future.
Secretary Root has requested Sec
retary Hay to arrange for diplomatic
representation OF the United States in
Cuba. Provision for consular service
will also be made.
President-elect Palma left last night
for his home In New York. Before
leaving he said:
Il will enter upon my duties as tn ,
president of Cuba. confident in the
belief that there is a splendid future
In store for the island. The people
are naturally of an orderly, peace
able disposition, mild-mannered and
submissive to law and order. What
they need is the opportunity to work.
and with this assured prosperity will
come to the people. The condition
of affairs is very different now from
what it was under the Spanish regime.
when the people were under the rule
and subject to the will OF a captain
general and the military authorities.
THE government of the United
States has shown a most beautiful
example OF good faith in dealing with
weak government which Il under
took 10 rescue from it's oppressors. II
has demonstrated it's generosity and
patriotism. and by the shedding OF it's
own blood has helped Cuba to break
the chain which united it with Spain.
Some countries would have sought
some pretext for selfish gain in under
taking a work OF this character. and
taken advantage of some technicality
for their own ACKNOWLEDGMENT, but the
Contrary spirit has been manifested
by the United States and it has given
to the world an evidence Of good will
seldom found. The people of the Unit
ed States have remembered their own
Declaration OF independence and
have fulfilled q duty To mankind