Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-11-29
The Isle Of Pines BELONGS
to Cuban Republic.
Sec. Root, Backed by Presi-
dent, Issues a Statement,
"Unitsd States Will Not Compel Cuba to Give
Up Isle Agains! Her Wi!I.'

Washington, Nov. 2S.-The admins
t1ation, today. dashed the hopes of the
little band Of American cOlonists on the
Isle OF Pines who have been working
toward the separation of the island
from Cuba and its inclusion in the
United States, when Sec. Root, after
cOnSultin" the President made public
the text of a letter which. be had ad-
dressed to Charlie Maynard. president
of the American Grub Of the Isle of
Pines, defining the attitude of the Unit
cd States government toward the pro-
posed formation of Il territorial gov
ernment in the island as a part OF the
United States. The secretary was most
pointed in the statements i'll his letter
which is as follows:
81 have received your letter Of Oct.
%, in which You say: Kindly advise
me at your earliest convenience the
necessary procedure to establish Il ter
ritorill form OF government for the Isle
of Pines, West Indies, &. $. A.
1T is no part of the duty of the sec
rotary OF state to give advice upon such
subjects. l think it proper, however. to
answer your inquiry 50 far as it may
he necessary to remove an error under
which You appear to rest concerning
the status Of the Isle of Pines and
your rights as residents of that island.
"Thrre is no procedure by which you
and your associates can lawfully estab-
llSh Il territorial government in that
island. The island is lawfully subject
to the control Of the Republic of Cuba
and you ana your associates are bound
TO render obedience to the laws of that
country 50 long rs You remain in the
island. If You fail in that obedience
you will be justly liable to prosecution
in the Cuban courts and to such pun
islnent as may be provided by the
laws of Cuba for such offenSe as you
committed you are not likely to have
any greater power in the future. The
treaty now pending before the Senate,
if approved by that body, will relin-
quish all claims of the United States to
tile Isle of Pines. In my judgment. the
United States has no substantial claim
To the Isle Of Pines. The treaty merely
accords to Cuba what is hers in accord
ance with international law and jus
tice.
"At the time of the treaty of peace
which ended the war between the Unit
ed States and Spain, the Isle of Pines
was, and has been for several centu-
ries. part of Cuba. i have no doubt
whatever, that it continues to be a part
Of Cuba, and that it is not and never
has been tcrritOry of the United States.
This is the view with which President
Roosevelt authorized the pending treaty
and Mr.. Hay signed it and l expect
to urge its confirmation. Nor would the
rejection of the pending treaty put an
end to the control of Cuba over the is
land. A treaty directly contrary to the
one now pending would be necessary
to DO that and there is not the slightest
prospect of such a treaty being made.
You may be quite sure that Cuba will
never consent to give I'D the Isle Of
Pines and that the United States will
never try to compel her to give it up
against her will.
every respectfully,
"ELIHU ROOT"