Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-11-21
ISLE OF PINES REVOLUTION.

Kansas City Journal - Whatever
rulino this administration may pro-
mulgate regarding the ultimate destiny
Of the Isle Of Pines, the fact remains
that the little band Of American citi-
zens who dominate the island have
demonstrated admirable pluck in
throwing off the yoke of Cuba. The
island has ALWAYS been considered a
part of Cuba and has been under
Cuban domination. 1t is almost circu-
lar In outline and lies about forty
miles south of the west line Of Cuba.
At the time of the invasion Of Cuba by
American troops several Americans
found slumbering under the tropical
sun undisturbed by the clash Of arms
on the larger island. These pioneer
Americans invested in native lands,
and began to cultivate the soil. They
were followed by other emigrants,
nearly all of whom were American cit
liens. Now about 900 American fam
lilies are settled on the Isle of Pines
and not one has renowned his Ameri-
declared that under the treaty Of
Paris, which ended the Cuban war and
established the status OF the islands
OF the West Indies, the Isle of Pines
was brought under the domination Of
the stars and stripes.
Those who have watched the pro-
gress Of events in the little island have
had their sympathies aroused by the
intense patriotism shown among the
white residents there for America.
They have never had anything in COM
mon with Cuba, although Cuban Off
Gals have administered the affairs of
the island. A strong propaganda has
been maintained to advance the cause
of the Americans who resent the in
depreciation Of the Paris treaty which
would give the island back to Cuba.
The controversy hangs upon the mean
ing of a term used in the treaty. This
term is that which conveys "all other
Islands of the Caribbean sea to the
United States. Cubans insist that the
Isle of Pines is an integral part of
Cuba and therefore not included
among "all other islands," while the
Americans Of the little island declare
that 1t belongs to the lands conveyed
to the United States.
The revolution in the Isle Of Pines
has developed a decidedly unique sit
uation. Although several American
authorities have declared that the isle
belonged to Cuba, its people insist up
on allegiance to the United States
They now declare that they will be-
come a territorial part Of this country
whether or no, and President Roose-
VelL must stand In the position OF
either refusing them altogether or OF
recognizing a sovereign and indepen-
dent state which American interven-
ton in Cuba created. In putting forth
a plea for a Square DEAF the revo-
lutionists have made a happy hit.
They believe, and many other people
believe, that thew are right. They
have bought property and settled on
this island under the assurance of high
authorities that they would remain
American citizens under American adj
ministration. If the United States
now repudiates them they must fall
beneath the superior force Of Cubans
If the final Interpretation of the
treaty of Paris gives the Isle Of Pines
to Cuba. then these 300 Americans be-
come traitors and will be punished "
the Cuban authorities, because the
fact that they are American citizens
will not help them II. they conspired
against the government under which
they were living. The whole matter
would be highly amusing as a comic
opera revolution were 1t not that these
several hundred Americans have stak-
ed their all on the result and that /,
is an intensely serious matter with
them.