Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-11-16
FORMAL TRANSFER
OF the Isle OF Pines to
Cuba Starts Trouble.
American Residents Own Five
Sixths Of Island, Fee Simple.
They Contend That Cuban Government Should
Pay for the Land.

Washington, Nov. 15.-SenOr Quesada,
the Cuban minister here, called at the
state department, today, ana seemed
to be considerably agitated over the
news of the movement in the Isle of
Pines to oppose the formal transfer OF
the island to Cuba. He had an inter-
view on the subject with Sec. Root, but
declined to make any statement con-
corning il.
The contention of the American res
idents of the isle is that as they own in
fee cinpIc 1iVe-SixthS of the ground
and as the remaining One-SiXth is in
the hands of one or two Spanish fami-
lies, the 1900 native residents being
nOn-prOpCrty owners they have a right
TO be heard by this government. A Sug-
-eStiOn has been made here tina: is
known to have received serious official
consideration to the effect that in view
of the fact that the war department &C
tually die al one time give ground for
4 belief on the part of some persons
that the Iste\of Pines was American. it
would be only just for this govern
mont to pay these settlers for the land.
1t has been known for several months
that American residents i'll the Isle of
L
ban contlol, but no intimation has been
received in official circles here tina t
they intended to resort to radical meas
rres to assert what they believed to be
their rights as American citizens.
Tho announcement that al mass
meetings Of residents Of the island del
egateS were chosen to come to WASH
mgton to antagOniZe the treaty pending
before the Senate for the formal trans
fer of the island to the republic of Gu
la, was not surprising to adniniStra-
ton officials: but surprise was created
at the reported erection OF a terrific
rial government On the island. No OTii-
cial services on the subject have been
received.
Administration officials state frank
~ that the attitude Of residents of the
Isle of Pines toward the treaty nego-
ciated with Cuba for the forma! trans
fer of the island to the Cuban govern
inent has embarrassed, rather serious
~, tn" United States in its relations
with the republic of Cuba.
1t is pointed out that some of those
who located on the Isle of Pines, after
the Spanish war, went there before the
status of the island was understood full
~ ana engaged in schemes for promo
ton Of their private interests. 1t can
he said that the would-be seceders will
receive no encouragement from the
administration. Sec. of State Root
when he was secretary of war, was
very emphatic on the points that the
Isle of Pines belonged to Cuba as n
matter of right, as Il matter OF inter
national law and as Il matter of JUS
ticc:" furthermore, that in procuring
naval stations in Cuba for the United
States, there was general understand
ing that the Isle of Pines was to be
coded to Cuba although its title has
been in doubt.
The reported secession of the resi-
dents from cuba control is deprecated
vigorously bat action regarding il, if
any should lie contemplated, would be
taken only after the government has
been advised officially as to the situ2-
tion.
At the Cuban legation it was said
that nothing more was known about
the secession of the Isle of Pines than
was contained in the newspapers The
belief was expressed that the affair
amounts to nothing"