Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-12-19
WILL FIGHT
FOR ISLAND
THE ISLE OF PINES ASSOCIATION
DEFIEs SECRETARY
ROOT.
LETTER TO THE PUBLIC
Charles Raynard, President of the
Isle Of Pines Association, Declares
That the American Citizens on the
Island Will Make Hard Fight.

Havana, Cuba, Dec. IS. - Charles
Raynard, president of the Isle of
Pines association, forwarded Sunday
by the advice of his attorneys a let
ter in reply to Secretary Roots COM
munication of November q in which
the secretary outlined to Raynard the
attitude OF the United States govern
ment toward the proposed formation
of territorial government in the island
as part OF the United States
Raynard contradicts Roots state
ment that the Isle of Pines is lawfully
subject to the Cuban government and
says the Cuban republic exists solely
by virtue OF constitution, the terms
OF which expressly exclude the Isle of
Pines from the domain Of the repub-
lie. The Plat amendment passed by
the United States congress he says,
also remains in force until it is repeal
ed, or modified, and every officer of
the American government, no matter
how high, is bound under it's terms to
consider the Isle of Pines outside of
Cuban control and Jurisdiction, per-
sonal opinions Of such officers to the
contrary Notwithstanding.
Roots Opinion Contradictory.
The letter says Roots opinion as to
the validity of the claim of the United
States to the Isle of Pines is directly
opposed to tie opinions of President
Mckinley, Secretary of State Hay and
General Leonard Wood, and it quotes
some official acts and unofficial re-
marks to prove this.
Raynard declares Root himself, as
secretary of war, just prior to turning
over Cuba to the Cubans, directed the
continuance of the then existing gov
ernment Of the Isle of Pines as a de
facto government pending the settle
ment of any question of the title or
jurisdiction, and that General Wood
ruled in like manner on relinquishing
the government Of Cuba, but failed to
carry out his announced intention
This failure Of neglect, Raynard says,
is alone responsible for permitting
Cuba to usurp control of the island.
Secretary Permitted Neglect.
The letter regrets that Root as sec
retary of war permitted such neglect
and disobedience and adds that "Root
in opposition to the expressed wishes
OF Secretary Hay insisted on the nego-
tiation of a treaty abandoning Ameri-
can claims to the Isle of Pines to
Cuba, thus covering and concealing H.
legal acts and omissions of the depart
ment OF the government for which you
were then responsible"
Raynard says the petitioners believe
that when the opportunity is given to
demonstrate the correctness of their
position at Washington, chat Presi-
dent Roosevelt will enforce the law
relating to the ownership Of the Isle
of Pines as faithfully as he enforces
other laws"
Money and Men to Fight.
Havana, Cuba, Dec. 1S.-President
Raynard of the Isle of Pines associa.
ton, in letter to the Associated Press
says:
THE last mail from the United
States brought additional guarantees
of $4,000 cash and of men and all
the ammunition needed to defend our
rights and uphold the American flag
in this isle. This makes over $500, 900
cash, 5000 men and all the munitions
needed should we elect to use force in
maintaining the rights of Americans
on American territory"
Secretary of Interior Andrade, when
shown the above letter, apparently
was undisturbed. He said the United
States doubtless could be depended up
on to prevent the embarllation of men
and munitions Of war for the Isle Of
Pines. Asking whether he regarded
Raynards letter as grounds for prose-
cution, the secretary said it was a mat
ter for the courts to decide, adding that
the government would pay no attention
to such statements.