Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-29
CONTRACTS B|NDCUbA
Obligations Must Be Carried
Out by New Government.
MACON READS A DECREE
President Gomez Promises to Re-
spect Agreements.
IN GOOD FINANCIAL CONDITION
Cash Immediately Available for
Purposes of the New Administra-
ton Nearly $4,000, 900.

HAVANA, Cuba. January 29.-Charles
E. Magoon. the recent provisional gov
ernor Of Cuba, before leaving the island
for the United States yesterday after
noon, read the decree turning the govern
ment over to the new president. Gov.
Magoon's decree was in the form of
letter. and it is important in that it out
lines what is expected by the United
States of the new government. The de-
cree follows:
1T is the understanding of the United
States and it declares that all the execu-
tive and legislative DEGREES, regulations
and rulings of the provisional govern
ment now in force are to continue in force
and effect until such time as the same
shall be legally revoked by Cuba.
Obligations Must Be Observed.
"All money obligations of the pro-
visional government down to this date
have been paid as far as practicable.
Such claims and obligations, however, as
may remain unpaid are to be regarded
as claims and obligations of Cuba, and
the United States understands that these
claims and obligations will be SO treated.
The provisional administration con-
structed some and entered into contracts
for other works Of sanitation. and the
government and control of the island
are transferred to you with the express
understanding that said contracts and all
contracts relating to sanitation or other
public purposes shall be held inviolable,
and that they will be executed in &C.
cordance with their terms, and all rights
acquired Hereunder shall be maintained
and protected.
Increase Of Debt Forbidden.
II am also directed by the President
to declare that the United States con-
siders that the second article of the APP
pendiX of the constitution of Cuba for
bids Cuba to assume or contract any
public debt in excess of, or in addition
to. the debt already contracted or author
lied by now existing laws and now eX-
listing DEGREES of the provisional govern
ment: and that the United States will
not recognize or cOncede to be a valid
obligation of Cuba any bond or evidence
Of debt which may be issued in violation
of this understanding.
Soldiers Claims Satisfied.
Il am further directed by the Presi-
dent TO declare that it is the final and
conclusive determination and decision Of
the provisional government that all claims
Of the soldiers of the war Of, liberation
have been fully satisfied and discharged
Cuba remains under no further obliagtion
or Indebtedness in respect thereof: and
that the declaration reinbefore contain
ed in respect of the increase of the Cuban
debt specifically and especially applies
to any attempt to create an Indebtedness
for the discharge of such alleged or pre-
tended obligations
President Gomez replied in an address
that it would be his purpose to carry out
the contracts and agreements SO far as
he could under the constitution.
Magoon's Departure.
The decree was read in the reception
room of the governors palace, to which
President Gomez and the others had re-
paired Immediately after the oath had
been taken by the new executive. Shortly
after Mr.. Magoon left the palace for the
wharf and embarked on the palace
launch being taken to the battleship
Maine where he was received by a salute
and Immediately put to sea, the battleship
Mississippi following. He was escorted
from the palace to the wharf by Vice
President Zayas. members of the diplo-
matte corps, the judiciary and Cuban and
American officers. There was a brief in
formal leave-taking as he boarded the
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