The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-15
After Declaring Its Indepen-
dence of Cuba.
OFFICERS ELECTED.
Official Notice Is Sent to Presi-
dent Roosevelt
Asking the Shelter Of the Stars
and Stripes.

New York. Nov. ia cable dispatch
to the Herald from Havana says:
Residents of the Isle of Pines have
issued a declaration of their indepen-
dence from Cuba and organized a new
government as a United States terri
tory. A delegate to congress will be
sent to Washington in order to have
questions affecting the future Of the
island discussed before the house OF
representatives, ignoring Cuban au-
thority. Mass meetings were held un-
der the name of territorial conventions
and officials were appointed to I'LL all
positions except those that must be
named by the president under the con-
stitution of the United States. The
first officers of the new territory are. T.
B. Anderson, secretary of state; James
M. Steere, treasurer; Ed c. Ryan, dele
gate to congress; A. T. Friese, chief
justice; David B. Wall, sheriff.
The convention divided the island in
to five districts and ordered elections to
be held Tuesday to select members of
the legislature which is to convene next
week, tax assessors and collectors.
One ticket was named in each dis
trict, the only political question being
to keep the island under the stars and
stripes The election is proceeding III
an orderly manner under the forms Of
law, the men on the different tickets
Immediately without regard to those
serving under the Cuban government.
The first official notice of the AFFAIR
is contained in this letter:
"Neuva Corona, Isle of Pines, No
vember IA, 1905. Mr. Theodore Roose-
velt, president Washington Dear Sir:
The people of this island, having puT-
chased homes under the treaty of Paris,
believing it was United States terri
tory, and having waited over three
years for recognition of their rights as
American citizens, fearing a continue
tion Of these conditions and feeling
alarm at the condition of Cuba, during
the coming election have taken pre-
ImiDary steps for the establishment OF
d territorial government under the con-
stitution of the United States, believ-
ing this the proper step for us to take
and the most effective way to receive
justice and equity from our national
law-naking body, also relying upon
you. our president, for a square deal.
I'VE trust our action will meet your
approval. Yours respectfully,
'T. B. ANDERSON,
Chairman territorial convention
At the meeting there was only one
voice raised against the action taken.
This movement to sever relations with
Cuba was fomented by the American
club. Sixty members of the club met
last Monday, declared themselves a ter
ritorial convention and took steps to
organize a government. A recess was
taken until Saturday. More than 200
persons gathered at NeuVa Corona
United States Secretary of State Eaihu
Root, General Leonard Wood and 9TH
ers concerned in having the Cuban
banner raised We're denounced It was
decided to have a legislature of eleven
met. two from each district, and
one delegate-at-large DR.. Randall re-
ceiving the nomination for that Office.
Viii Get No Encouragement
Washington Nov. 15--It has been
known for several months that Amer
lean residents in the Isle of Pines were
becoming restive under Cuban con-
trol but no intimation has been re-
ceiVed in official circles here that they
intended to resort to radical meas
ures to assert what they believe to be
their rights as Americans. The an
nouncement that at mass meetings OF
residents Of the island delegates were
chosen to come to Washington to an
tagonize the treaty pending before The
senate for the formal transfer of the
island to the republic of Cuba was not
surprising to administration officials
but surprise was created at the re-
ported erection of a territorial gov
ernment on the island and the selec-
ton of Independent officials to admin
lister the affairs Of that government.
The would-be seceders will receive no
encouragement from the administra-
ton. Secretary Of State Root when
he was secretary of war, was clear
and emphatic on the point that the
Isle of Pines belonged to Cuba 'as a
matter of right, as matter of inter
national law and as a matter of jus
tice"; furthermore that in procuring
a naval station in Cuba for the United
States there was general under
standing that the Isle of Pines was to
he ceded to Cuba, although its title
had been in doubt.