The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-26
ORDER TO WOOD.
Presidents Directions About
Turning Over Cuba.

Washington, March 26.-The text of
the order for turning the island of Cuba
over to its people is signed by the sec
rotary of war and reads as follows:
"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 establish
ment of said government, to leave the
government and control of the island of
Cuba to its people, pursuant to the pro-
visions of the act of congress, entitled:
An act making appropriation for the
army for the fiscal year ending June 80,
1909 approved March 2, 1901.
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 con-
stitution of Cuba, adopted by the con-
stitutional convention on the 18th OF
June, 1901, assume and undertake all
and several of 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. 1t
is the purpose of the United States gov
eminent, forthwith upon the Inaugural
ton 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 thereof; but for the
preservation and care of the coast de-
lenses of the island, and to avoid leav-
ing the island entirely defenseless
against external attack, you may leave
in the coast Notifications such small
number of artillerymen as may be nee
essary, for such reasonable time as may
be required to enable the new govern
ment to organize and substitute there
for an adequate military force of it's
own; by which time it is anticipated
that the naval stations referred to in
the statute and in the appendix to the
constitution above cited will have been
agreed upon and said artillerymen may
be transferred thereto.
You will convene the congress elect
ed by the people of Cuba in joint session
at such reasonable time before the 10th
of May as shall be necessary therefore,
for the purpose of performing the duties
of counting and rectifying the electoral
vote for president and vice president
under the fifty-eighth 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 con-
stitutional 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.
1t is the understanding of the govern
ment of the United States that the gov
eminent of the island will pass to the
new president and congress of Cuba
a going concern, all the laws promul-
gated by the government of occupation
continuing in force and effect, and all
the judicial and subordinate executive
and administrative officers continuing
in the lawful discharge of their present
functions until changed by the consti-
tutional officers of the new government.
At the same moment the responsibility
of the United States for the collection
and expenditure of revenues. and for
the proper performance of duty by the
officers and employees of the insular gov
eminent viii end. and the responsibility
of the new government of Cuba will
therefore commence.
I'm order to avoid any enlbarrass-
ment to the new president which might
arise from his assuming executive re-
sponsibility 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 SER
vice personnel, Immediately after the
Inauguration of the new government,
approval is given to the course which
you have already proposed, of consult
ing the preSident-elect and substituting.
before the Goth of May, wherever he
shall desire, for the persons now hold
ing official positions, such persons
he may designate This method viii
make it necessary that the new presi-
dent and yourself should appoint rep
resentatives to count and certify the
cash and cash balances, and the securi-
ties 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.
THE vouchers and accounts in the
office of the auditor and elsewhere, re-
lating 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. undoubtedly
be important to the officers of the new
government in the conduct of their bus
mess subsequent to the Goth of May.
You will accordingly appoint an agent
to take possession of these papers and
retain them at such place in the island