The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-02-24
ISLE OF PINES TREATY
A PIECE OF JUGGLERY :
Washington Post. :
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An impartial perusaI Of the official
documents relating to the transfer of
the Isle of Pines from Spain TO the
United States, as contained in the ma
jority and minority reports of the SEN
ate committee on foreign relations on
the Isle OF Pines treaty, leaves the
conviction that the treaty is the pro-
posed contamination of a fine piece
Of jRgglery, whose only apparent OBJ
ject is to smooth over a blunder made
by General Leonard Wood.
In the treaty Of Paris, Spain celed
to the United States 'the Island Of
Porto Rico and other islands now I'M
der Spanish sovereignty in the West
Indies" II is now cOntended that the
Isle Of Pines was not one Of the "other
islands," but was considered a part
Of Cuba. The United States, how
ever, did not so consider the Isle of
Pines during or after the war, accord
ing to the correspondence of various
officials. A military government was
established in the Isle of Pines. ad-
miRistered by Governor General Wood.
Assistant Secretary Of War Meikle-
john made the Official statement that
the Isle OF Pines belonged to the Unit
ed States. I" The first shadow of
doubt upon the title Of the United
States 10 the Isle Of Pines was cast
by Senator Plat, Of Connecticut, in
his famous amendment, when he used
the words; THAT the Isle of Pines
shall be omitted from the proposed
constitutional boundaries Of Cuba, the
title thereto being left to future adj
Justment by treaty" This was not,
Of course, a concession that the island
belonged TO Cuba, but was quite the
reverse; but upon it has been erected
the fragile plan for the disposal of
the isle for a consideration" that
has all the appearances Of a make
shift and an after-thought Mr.. Root,
as secretary Of war, directed Governor
Wood to advise the incoming Cuban
government that the present govern
ment OF the Isle Of Pines will continue
as de factO government, pending
the settlement Of the title" etc. The
present government" at that time
was, of course, the United States. act,
ing through its military officers in
Cuba. Instead of obeying these in
structions, Governor General Wood
transferred the Isle Of Pines to Cuba.
The blunder was not noticed at the
time, and not until American residents
Of the Isle of Pines made complaint
did the matter demand the attention
Of the United States. Then a treaty
was negotiated 'fOr the adjustment
Of title to the Isle Of Pines" This
treaty was signed March 2, 1904. The
consideration to the United States for
'relinquishing' all "claim Of title
was declared to be "the grants of coal
ing and naval stations in the island
Of Cuba heretofore made" Scrutiny
of the grants" in question shows
them to be in the form Of a lease.
signed July 2, 1903, in which the Unit.
ed states obtains Guantanamo and
Bahia Honda in consideration of 80 OOO
gold per annum. This lease, which
which is really a treaty, was signed
by Minister SqUires and the acting
secretary Of state for Cuba, Jose NJ
Monies, and was approved by tbe
president October 2, 1903. 1t contains
no hint or suggestion OF any consid.
Grafton other than the $4,000 gold DER
annum.