The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-26
Who VIII Continue to Man the Coast
FortihcatiOns Until Cuba Organ
fzes a Force of It's own.
SECRETARY OF WARS ORDER
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED TC
GOVERNOR GENERAL WOOD.
Matter Discussed by the Cabinet-An-
other Conference at the white
House over Reciprocity.

WASHINGTON, March 25.-Secpetary
Root this afternoon made public his order
10 General Wood, directing him to turn
the control and government of Cuba
TO its people on May 20 next. The order
requires the Cuban government to assume
all treaty obligations and directs General
Wood to continue a small artillery force
20 avoid leaving the island entirely defense
less 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 directed TO consult with President
elect Palma and substitute such persons as
ne shall desire for those now holding Off
cial positions in Cuba. The text Of the
order follows:
''Sir-You are authorized to provide for
the Inauguration, on the 10Th of May next.
of the government elected by the people of
Cuba, and on the establishment of said
government to leave the government and
control of the Island of Cuba to its 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 30. 1902 approved March 2.
1901.
Upon the transfer of government and
COHlIOA 10 EEtSlueLl anu OOnSIcSS 81
elected you will advise them that such
transfer is on the express understanding
and condition that the government
doesffhereupOn and by the acceptance
therdD pursuant to the provisions of the
appeAax to the Constitution of Cuba
adopted by the constitutional convention of
Cuba on June II. 1901, assume and take all
and several the obligations assumed by the
United States with respect to Cuba by the
treaty between the United States of Amer
fts and her Majesty. the Queen Regent of
Spain, signed at Paris on the 10th day OF
December. 1898. IL Is the purpose of the
United States government forthwith on the
Inauguration OF the new government of
Cuba 10 terminate the occupancy of the
island by the United States and TO 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 defenseless against external
attack you may leave in the coast fortIfi-
cations such small number OF artillerymen
may be necessary for such reasonable
time as may be required 10 enable the new
government to organize and substitute
therefor an adequate military force of its
own by which time II is anticipated that
the naval stations referred to i'm the stat
ute and the appendix above cited will have
been agreed upon and the said artillery.
men may be transferred thereto.
CONGRESS TO BE CALLED.
"You will convene the Congress elected
by the people of Cuba in joint session at
such reasonable time before the 10Th of
May as shall be necessary for performing
the duties of counting and rectifying the
electoral vote for President and Vice Pres
ident in accordance with the fifty-eighth
article of the Cuban Constitution. At the
same time you Will publish and certify to
the people OF Cuba the instrument adopted
rs the Constitution OF Cuba by the constf-
tutionaI convention on the 2lst day OF Feb
ruary. 1901. together with the appendix
added thereto and forming "A part thereof
adopted by the said convention on the 18th
day of June. 1901. IL IS the understanding
of the government of the United States
20 the new government of Cuba as a going
concern. all the laws promulgated by the
government of occupation continuing in
force and effect and the judicial and
subordinate executive and administrative
officers continuing in the lawful discharge
of their present functions until changed by
the constitutional officers of the new gov
ernment Al the same moment the re-
sponsibility for the collection and eXpendi-
ture OF revenues and for the proper per-
foranance of duty by the officers and en-
r,IOyes OF .he insular government will end
and the responsibility Of the new govern
ment of Cuba therefor will commence
'.In order 10 avoid any embarrassment
20 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
~vOid any occasion for sweeping changes
IN CIVIL service personnel 1mmediatelV
after the inauguration OF the new govern
ment approval is given TO the course which
You have already proposed OF consulting
the President-elect and substituting before
the a0th OF May. wherever ne shall so de-
sire, for the persons now holding official
positions such persons as he may designate.
This method will make il necessary that
the new President and yourself should ap-
uOint representatives TO count and certify
the cash and cash balances and securities
for deposits transferred To the new govern
ment 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 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 viii, however. un-
dOubtedly be important 20 the officers Of
the new government in the conduct OF their
business subsequent to May % You will
accordingly appoint an agent 10 take pos
session OF these papers and retain them at
such place in the Island OF Cuba as may be
agreed upon with the new government until
they can be removed 10 the United States
without detriment 10 the current business
of the new government.
II desire that you communicate the con-
tents OF this letter 20 Mr.. Palma. the Pres
course above described accords with his
views and wishes. ELlHU ROOT
Secretary Of War
BRIG Gen. Leonard Wood. Military Gov
ernor OF Cuba, Havana. Cuba"
TROOPS TO RETURN.
The order issued by General Miles and
General Corbin TO carry out the directions
above given. so far relates 10 the re-
turn OF the United States troops from Cuba,
provides that the organizations shall take
stations follows:
Second Cavalry-First squadron and
troops 1 and X. from Cuba TO Fort Ethan