Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-17
0oNTRADIGTS Mr.. ROOT
MIR. RAYNARD's CONTENTION BE
aARDING ISLE OF PINES.

HAVANA. December 16.-Charles Ray
nard. president OF the Isle OF Pines Asso-
citation, forwarded today, by advice of his
attorneys a letter in reply to Secretary OF
State Roots communication of November
"a. in which the Secretary outlined to Mr..
Raynard the attitude OF the United States
government toward the proposed formation
OF the territorial government IN the. island
as part Of the United States.
Mr.. Raynard contradicts Mr.. Roots state
ment that the Isle of Pines is lawfully sub
ject to the Cuban government and says
the Cuban republic exists solely by virtue
OF constitution, the terms Of which ex-
pressly exclude the Isle OF Pines from
the domain Of the republic. The Plat
amendment, passed by the United States
Congress. he says. also remains In force
until 1t In repealed or modified and every
officer OF the American government. no mat
ter how high, Is bound under its terms to
consider the Isle OF Pines outside the Gu
ban control and Jurisdiction, personal opin-
ions Of such officers to the contrary not
withstanding
The letter says that Secretary Roots
opinion as to the validity of the claim OF
the United States to the Isle of Pines ID
directly opposite to the opinions OF Presi-
dent Mckinley, Secretary Of State Hay and
zen. Leonard Wood, and 1t quotes some OF
hcial acts and unofficial remarks TO prove
this. MI Raynard declares that Mr.. Root
himself. as Secretary of War, just prior to
the turning over OF Cuba to the Cubans, d.
rected the continuance OF the then exist
ing government OF the Isle OF Pines as a
de facto government. pending settlement
of any question Of title or Jurisdiction, and
that Gen. Wood ruled In a like manner on
relinquishing the government Of Cuba.
This failure or neglect to carry out his an
Is alone responsible for permitting Cuba to
usurp control Of the island. The letter re-
grets that Mr.. Root. as Secretary Of War.
permitted such neglect and disobedtence
and adds that 'tMf. Root in opposition to
the expressed wishes of Secretary of State
Hay insisted on the negotiation of treaty
abandoning American claim to the Isle of
Pines to Cuba, thus covering and conceal
ing illegal acts and omissions Of the de-
partment of the government for which you
were then responsible.
Mr. Raynard dissents from Mr.. Roots
statement that rejection OF the pending
treaty by the Senate will not end Cuban
control over the island and asserts that 1t
would remain United States territory He
says the petitioners believe when an oppor-
tunity is given TO demonstrate the correct
ness of their position at Washington that
President Roosevelt will enforce the law
relating to the ownership of the Isle or
Pines as faithfully as he enforces the laws
relating to the ownership of the Isle or
Pines as faithfully as he inforces the laws
giving protection against other forms Of
robbery
The letter asserts that no department OF
the United States government except the
State Department., ever recognized Cubas
claim to the Isle of Pines and that it was
only done by that department when 1t was
confronted with the alternative of correct
ing wrong or condoning or concealing it.
In conclusion Mr.. Raynard processes as
constituent that the Secretary of State Is
siding against those who are defending
their lawfully acquired interests In Ameri-
can territory" and deeply regrets that 'for
the first time an American Secretary OF
States Is anxious to abandon American ter
ritory and American citizens to an alien
and lawless government for non-considera-
ton and for motives which he seems un-
willing to disclose"