The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-31
Az ECHO FROM THE ISLE or
PINES.

WASHINGTON, Oct So suit has baen
instituted in the United States Circuit Cour,
In which the Collector Of the Port OF New
York appears as the defendant The sui, n
brought for the recovery Of $3.50 and into,
est, as representing the value Of a consign
ment Of 1000 cigars brought to the Un,ed
States from the Isle Of Pines. the plainln
alleging that island to be American teri
tory.
The Isle Of Pines is not and never wa.
American territory. II is "A distinctly
Cuban soil as Long Island or Nantucket or
Key West is American SOIL and as much a
Cuban possession az the Isle OF Wight is al
English possession. This has been declared
and confirmed by an international treaty
between Cuba and the United States. Yet
not withstanding all that, the plaintiff IN
this case has sufficient holding ground TO-
the basis Of a suit at law. This stands by
reason Of an inexcusabls blunder com
m!tted by Gen. Leonard Wood, In violation
OF instructions sent to him from Wash
ington.
By the terms Of the Plat amendment,
the political status OF the Isle of Pines was
declared to be in suspense until tito 70 /,
should be determined by treaty. Prepare
tory to the American withdrawal from
Cuba, Secretary Root. on May 3. 1902. sent
TO Gen. Wood specific instructions regard
ing certain points in connection with the
transfer One Of these papers was marked
ID" That paper contained tho following
passage:
II Is understood by the United States snss n.
present Government Of the Isle OF Pines THAT ,s
the Americana will continue a. q Do faeto Govern.
ment pending the settlement Of the title 70 said
island by treaty pursuant 10 the Cuban Constitu
ton and the act of Congress Of tho United Sss,es
approved March 2, 1901.
Upon the submission Of this, among othsr
matters, to Senior Estrada Palma al the time
Of the Official transfer Of authority IN Cuba,
that gentleman replied In the following
words:
II Is understood that the Isle Of Pines Z 10 oon.
tinue DE- rdeio under the Jurisdiction Of the Govern
ment Of the Republic Of Cuba. &C.
Although Senior Pslmas reply wss dat
contradiction OF the American statement
Gen. Wood paid no attention to 1t. Nor,
upon withdrawing from Cuba, did he
leave any American representative. not
even a soldier, as sign OF the continuance
Of American authority in the Isle Of Pines
Nor were the Piheros notified that their
territory would continue to be subject to
the control Of the War Department in
Washington. The 5000 inhabitants OF
the island supposed that they were then
-libre y independence. even as were their
fellow citizens on the mainland Of Cuba
They had no reason for thinking otherwise
The suit brought probably stands in the
nature of test case. There is q consider
able American financial interest In the is
land, and the leading investors have openly
stated that one Of the principal influences
which led to their investment lay In opinions
given to them unofficially by high officials
Upon the strength Of that, they purchased
large tract Of land. inaugurated enterprises,
and advertised land for sale In the American
possession-the Isle Of Pines.
This case is merely one Of q number OF
legal and diplomatic complications which are
likely to arise at any time as q part Of the
crop sowed in Cuba by that mastery ad-
ministrator who is to be rewarded for his
supposed achievements in Cuba by promo
ton over the head Of many a trained and
tried soldier Of the United States Regular
army.