Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-24
CUBAN PETITION TO ROOSEVELT.
Palma's New York Foes Want Presi-
dent to Interfere


dent to Interfere.
A petition to President Roosevelt, setting
forth the causes of the revolution in Cuba
and suggesting means by which the trouble
may be ended if the President sees his way
clear to intervene, was prepared yesterday
by leading Cuban business men in New
York. who are now American citizens but
have extensive interests in the island which
will suffer through a prolonged revolution
airy struggle. The authors of the letter as
sert that the only members of the Cuban
colony here who are in sympathy with
President Palma are government employees.
I'VE expect to have more than 200 sigma
lures to the petition within the next few
days." said one of the authors. when we
secure that number we will send it to
President Roosevelt at Oyster Bay, and we
feel certain that he will take some action
upon it which will relieve the situation in
Cuba very quickly"
The petition reads:
1.-The undersigned American citizens with
extensive interests in the Island of Cuba
and without any prejudice as to the politi-
cal conditions of said republic, beg leave to
present you some information and our opin-
ion as to the best solution Of the present
revolt.
THE Idea that is held in Spain and in all
Spanish-speaking countries that the regime
that is in control of the administration must
hold it at all events, even against the will
of the majority, Is the policy that was car
ried out by President Palma's government
during the elections in the island last De-
cember.
1.-The attitude Of the government was such
during the election for primaries that took
place in September, 1905 and SO many
frauds and unlawful acts were executed
that the opposing party, the liberals, de-
cided to withdraw from the campaign and
not cast their votes, a right which they
knew beforehand it would be impossible for
them to execute, having been already pre-
vented by force. Over 1900 members Of the
liberal party were committed and kept in
prison for more than six months for sup
posed political offenses, and after the in
auguration of President Palmas second
term in May last they were set free with
out any explanation whatsoever
"In fact, the conditions in the Cuban re-
public at the time were the same as they
have been lately in the republic Of Panama
with President Amador, with which your
excellency is we'll acquainted, and which
were settled through the good Offices Of the
United States minister at Panama, pre-
venting the pending revolution.
by the text Of the Platt amendment,
which is a part of the Cuban constitution
that has been trampled over and forgotten
by Palma's government, in Its article third
the right of the United States government
to intervene to preserve the independence
of the republic and to support a govern
ment adequate to protect the lives. prop
critics and individual rights of the citizens
is we'll established. The present govern
ment does not protect as it should the indi-
vidual liberties of the citizens of Cuba.
al that the citizens at present in arms In
Cuba are looking for and are endeavoring
to secure, as 1t is stated in their flag, which
Is a Cuban flag with the words, Long life
to the constitution, is a square deal,' and
that the country should be treated in ,ac-
cordance with the constitution. 1t is act
that IL your excellency, as President of the
United States and within the terms of the
Platt amendment, should appoint commits
sion Of Americans to investigate the mat
ter and preside at a presidential election In
accordance with the electoral laws, and seat
in the presidential chair whoever receives
the majority of the votes, we are sure that
all the men in arms in Cuba will lay them
down within twenty-four hours and the
revolution will end.
by such an act the government Of the
United States will and can not only prevent
the shedding of blood, but demonstrate,
moreover, that this country went to war
with Spain for humanity and not for in
tereSted reasons"