The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-11-24
GUT TIE THAT BINDS
Residents of the Isle of Pines
Pull From Cuba.
People Select First Officers Of
the New Territory
Their Letter Seeking Recogni-
cation From Uncle Sam.
This Government Is In a Guam
dry Over the Matter.

Isle of Pines are determined to carry
out their plans of forming government
of their own under the jurisdiction of
the United States. The question of
seeding from Cuba has long been dis
cussed by the islanders. The revolt
came on yesterday.
Massmeetings were held under the
name of territorial conventions and Of
icials were appointed to fill Ell positions
except those that must be named by the
president under the constitution of the
United States. The first officers of the
new territory are:
Secretary of State-T. B. Anderson
Treasurer-James M. Steere.
Delegates to Congress-M. G. Ryan.
Chief Justice-A. T. Friese.
Sheriff-David B. Wall.
The convention divided the island into
five districts and ordered elections to
be held today to select members of the
legislature, which is to convene next
week, tax assessors, and collectors. One
ticket was named in each district, the
only political question being to keep the
island under the stars and stripes.
The election is proceeding in an or
derby manner under the forms of law.
the men on the different tickets an
nouncing that they will take office i'm
mediately without regard to those serv
ing under the Cuban government.
The first official notice of the affair
is contained in this letter:
Nueva Corona, Isle of Pines, Nov. IA.
Mr.. Theodore Roosevelt, President,
Washington-Dear Sir: The people of
this island, having purchased homes I'M
der the treaty of Paris believing it. was
United States territory and having
waited more than three years for recog-
milton of their rights as American citi-
zens, fearing continuation of these
conditions and feeling alarm at the con-
dition. of Cuba during the coming cleo
ton, have taken preliminary steps for
the establishment of territorial gov
eminent under the constitution of the
United States. We believe this the
proper step for us to take and the most
effective way to receive justice and
equity from our national aw-making
body. We also rely upon you, our pres
ident, for square deal. We trust our
action will meet your approval
r. B. ANDERSON,
Chairman Territorial Convention.
This action by the convention repre-
sents the opinion of practically the en-
tire population of the Isle of Pines. At
the meeting there was only one voice
raised against the action taken. That
was by man who expressed fear of the
results, asserting that all are liable to
punishment under Cuban laws.
Fully one third of those now living
on the island are American citizens
There has been a steady immigration
from the United States, while many ma
tives have left there since the Spanish
war, coming to Cuba. About half the
natives remaining live in the little town
| of Nueva Corona. Their inclination Is
said to have the island belong to the
United States. Their opposition to the
4 Cuban administration was shown by the
| fact that at the primaries practically
all inscribed themselves as liberals.
| This movement to sever relations with
Cuba was fomented by the American
club, an organization including most OF
the substantial citizens of the island
Sixty members of the club met last
Monday, declared themselves territor
ial convention, and took steps to organ
ize government. A recess was taker
i until Saturday.
More than 200 persons gathered a
Nueva Corona. A large number O
American women are living on the is
land, and they loudly applaud the senti
ment uttered repeatedly by the chair
man, that after the Isle of Pines hat
become United States territory none hat
a right to sell it to another country
Elihu Root, Gen. Leonard Wood, ant
others concerned in having the CubaI
banner raised were denounced.
1t was decided to have legislature o
leleven men, two from each district, ant
one delegate at large, DR.. Randall re
ceiving the nomination for that office.
at is like an old style southern mass
meeting, all enthusiasm said S. II
Pearcy today. Mr.. Pearcy is vice presi
dent of the Isle of Pines company, which
controls 100000 acres out of total o
about 100000 on the island. He CAM
here to arrange big deal involving TIN
starting of new city on fine port Oh