The Cairo bulletin., 1905-12-29
THE ISLE or PINES.

THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
n the Isle of Pines has issued a
strong appeal To the senators and
representatives of the United States
not to approve the pending treaty by
which the isle would become a part
Of Cuba.
1t must be admitted that they make
1 strong case against the treaty. which
We will briefly summarize.
The first statement is that the
island has been officially recognized
10 be United States territory. If no
ther evidence were needed. the fact
hat the pending treaty proposes to
eede the Isle of Pines 10 the govern
nent of Cuba would be sufficient. One
cannot cede what one does not pos
sess. There are other evidences, how
ever.
In 1899 a gentleman wrote to the
war department regarding the status
Of the Isle of Pines. expressing an in
tention to settle there If it were
United States property In reply to
his inquiry he received the following
answer.
Replying to your communicat on of
August 10th instant, soliciting infor-
nation respecting the Isle of Pines, |
m directed by the assistant secre-
airy of war, to advise yeu that this
sfand was ceded by Spain to the
United States and Is therefore part
# our territory. although II is at
ached at present TO the division Of
'uha, for governmental purposes. A
,opy of the Isle of Pines pamphlet Is
nclosed for your information and you
are advised that the disposition Of
public lands must await the action of
congress =. Yours truly,
i JOHN A. PERSHfNG.
Assistant Adiutant General"
During the Administered on of Presi-
lent Mckinley he directed that the
nap showing the possessions of the
United States in the Caribbean sea
should include the Isle of Pines.
The next point raised is that the
constitution of the United States does
rot recognize that any OF its domain
hail be ceded by treaty. The only
way in which this can be done is by
he joint action Of congress and ma
'nrity vote of the people residing in
he territory proposed to be ceded
Nine-tenths Of the people in the Isle
Il Pines are Americans, and they own
ives xths of the island.
When General Wood was military
Governor Of Cuba In 1902 he person
lily assured a committee OF represan-
atives from the island that they
need have no fear regarding the
uture OF the Isle OF Pines" and gave
hem his word that the Isle of Pines
vas and always would remain terri
ory OF the United States.
The Plat amendment and the con
titutiOn of Cuba both declare that
he Cuban laws will not extend 10 the
sic 81 Pines. This Is ignored. and the
amer can residents are uniustly and
lsuriousiy taxed by the government
II Cuba.
The remainder Of the appeal to con
tress is devoted largely to showing
he importance II the isle Of Pines
20 the United States its stragaiic
'osltion after the conclusion Of the
banana canal building. and the vast
wealth tina, might be developed on
he island itself These are incidental
md found ID on the proof given above
hat the island really belongs TO US.
IT which there seems TO be little ques-
tion.If the Isle OF Pines goes 10 Cuba
I viii be a gift. and It will be made
n the expense Of broken faith and Of
promises 10 the men who have settled
there under assurances that they
would be protected by the American
flag