New-York tribune., 1902-05-21
ALL THE WORLD INFORMED
SECRETARY HAY ANNOUNCES THE IN
DEPENDENCE OF CUBAN EMBAR-
RASSNIENT AT THE OUTSET.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE tribune

IBY TELEGRAPH THE rRIBUNE.l
Washington May 20.-The United States for
maHy announced to the world to-day the inde-
pendence of Cuba through telegraphc circular
sent by Secretary Hay to all American ambas-
sadors and ministers abroad. At the same time
the State Department succeeded the War De-
partment as the means of all communication
between this government and the new republic.
The identic note issued for the information of
the nations was in the following terms:
Department of State.
Washington, May 20, 1907.
Sir: I am directed by the President to inform
you that the military occupation or the Island
Of Cuba by the United States has this day
ceased, and that an independent government
republican in form. has been inaugurated there,
under the Presidency of His EXcellency Senior
Don Tomas Estrada Palma.
You instructed to convey this information
through the appropriate channel TO the govern
ment 10 which you are accredited.
l am, sir your obedient servant,
JOHN HAY. Secretary
NO REPRESENTATIVE AT HAVANA.
The State Department. in taking up the
lations between Cuba and this government, IS,
however, seriously embarrassed at the outset
by the lack of facilities for that purpose. the
Senate having failed TO confirm the appointment
Of Minister Squiers until to-day. and there be-
ing no diplomatic agent or other representative
OF the United States in Havana There is no
likelihood that this unfortunate condition will
be remedied for several days.
Secretary Root. in relinquishing his control of
Cuban affairs to-day expressed great regret
that this single miscarriage in the plans Of the
administra tion for estab ablishing the new republic
had occurred. especially as the Cubans, an i'm
pressionable people, would draw unfavorable
conclusions from the fact that another than an
American would probably be at the head OF the
diplomatic corps at Havana. II is the official
uDdersta that the British Min
lister. promoted from the consul generalship, has
his credentials ready 10 present to President
Palma and precedence Is governed by the
date Of recognition the British Minister will be
dean OF the diplomatic corps. Congress could
have avoided this embarrassment by prompt
ness. AS long ago March % Secretary Root
officially called attention TO the omission of pro
vision for a legation and consuls in Cuba from
the Diplomatic and Consular Appropriation bin,
and urged special legislation Immediately The
President was compelled 10 await the enactment
of law 10 nominate diplomatic and consular Of
hcials for Cuba. but he promptly did his part
last week as soon the law reached him. not in
time, however, allowing for further delay In
confirming his nominations, 10 avoid an un-
fortunate hiatus in the relations between wash
ington and Havana, and possibly a permanent
einiury 10 those relations through the impress
sion created in the great majority OF Cuban
minds by the American Minister following the
British and possibly other foreign representa-
tives on public occasions.
The senior military officer left In Cuba is
Colonel w L. Haskin, in command Of the four
companies OF coast artillery at Havana, two
companies guarding the entrance OF Cienfuegos
and two companies at Santiago. This force will
remain in control of the Notifications for several
months least.