I. That the government of Cuba shall never enter into any treaty or other compact with any foreign power or powers which will impair or tend to impair the independence of Cuba, nor in any manner authorize or permit any foreign power or powers to obtain, by colonization or for military or naval purposes or otherwise, lodgment in or control over any portion of said island. II. That said government shall not assume or contract any public debt to pay the interest upon which, and to make reasonable sinking fund provision for the ultimate discharge of which, the ordinary revenues of the island, after defraying the current expenses of government, shall be inadequate. III. That the Government of Cuba consents that the United States may exercise the right to intervene for the preservation of Cuban independence, the maintenance of a government adequate for the protection of life, property, and individual liberty, and for discharging the obligations with respect to Cuba imposed by the treaty of Paris on the United States, now to be assumed and undertaken by the Government of Cuba. IV. That all acts of the United States in Cuba during its military occupancy thereof are ratified and validated, and all lawful rights acquired thereunder shall be maintained and protected. V. That the Government of Cuba will execute, and as far as necessary extend, the plans already devised, or other plans to be mutually agreed upon, for the sanitation of the cities of the island, to the end that a recurrence of epidemic and infectious diseases may be prevented, thereby assuring protection to the people and commerce of Cuba, as well as to the commerce of the southern ports of the United States and the people residing therein. VI. That the Isle of Pines shall be omitted from the proposed constitutional boundaries of Cuba, the title thereto being left to future adjustment by treaty. VII. That to enable the United States to maintain the independence of Cuba, and to protect the people thereof, as well as for its own defense, the Government of Cuba will sell or lease to the United States lands necessary for coaling or naval stations at certain specified points, to be agreed upon with the President of the United States. VIII. That by way of further assurance the Government of Cuba will embody the foregoing provisions in a permanent treaty with the United States. The people of Cuba haying framed a constitution embracing the foregoing requirements, and having elected a President who is soon to take office, the time is near for the fulfillment of the pledge of the United States to leave the government and control of the island of Cuba to its people. I am advised by the Secretary of War that it is now expected that the installation of the Government of Cuba and the termination of the military occupation of that island by the United States will take place on the 20th of May next. It is necessary and appropriate that the establishment of international relations with the Government of Cuba should coincide with its inauguration, as well to provide a channel for the conduct of diplomatic relations with the new State as to open the path for the immediate FR 1902, PT 1-21 negotiation of conventional agreements to carry out the provisions of the act above quoted. It is also advisable that consular representation be established without delay at the principal Cuban ports in order that commerce with the island may be conducted with due regard to the formalities prescribed by the revenue and navigation statutes of the United States, and that American citizens in Cuba may have the customary local resorts open to them for their business needs and, the case arising, for the protection of their rights. I therefore recommend that provision be forthwith made, and the salaries appropriated, to be immediately available, for— a. Envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the Republic of Cuba b. Secretary of legation c. Second secretary of legation. d. Consul-general at Habana... e. Consuls at Cienfuegos. Santiago de Cuba.. $10,000 2,000 1,500 5,000 3,000 3,000 I do not recommend the present restoration of the consulates formerly maintained at Baracoa, Cardenas, Matanzas, Nuevitas, Sagua la Grande, and San Juan de los Remedios. The commercial interests at those ports heretofore have not been large. The consular fees collected there during the fiscal year 1896-97 aggregated $752.10. It is believed that the actual needs of the six offices named can be efficiently subserved by agents under the three principal consular offices until events may show the necessity of erecting a full consulate at any point. The commercial and political conditions in the island of Cuba while under the Spanish Crown afford little basis for estimating the local development of intercourse with this country under the influence of the new relations which have been created by the achievement of Cuban independence, and which are to be broadened and strengthened in every proper way by conventional pacts with the Cubans and by wise and beneficient legislation aiming to stimulate the commerce between the two countries, if the great task we accepted in 1898 is to be fittingly accomplished. WHITE HOUSE, Washington, March 27, 1902. THEODORE ROOSEVELT. RECEPTION OF MINISTER OF THE UNITED STATES. Mr. Squiers to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Habana, May 27, 1902. (Mr. Squiers reports his arrival at Habana on the 26th and reception by the President of Cuba on the 27th of May; that he was the first diplomatic representative to present credentials, and that a most cordial reception was accorded him by the Government and people of Cuba.) No. 1.] Mr. Squiers to Mr. Hay. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: Confirming my telegram of 27th instant, I have the honor to report that, in accordance with my instructions, I sailed from New York on Thursday, 22d instant, on steamer Vigilancia of the Ward Line, and arrived here on the following Monday evening, 26th instant, having been somewhat delayed owing to new machinery. I was met on the arrival of the steamer by Mr. Aurelio Hevia, assistant secretary of state, representing the foreign office; Mr. Steinhardt, in charge of the Cuban archives; Mr. Yero, acting captain of the port; Major Glennan, of the United States Marine-Hospital Service, and Captain Laborde, chief of the harbor police, who extended to me every possible courtesy. I called on His Excellency Mr. Carlos de Zaldo, secretary of state and justice this morning, and arranged with him for my audience with the President, which was fixed at 4 p. m. At the appointed hour I was waited upon by Mr. Hevia, assistant secretary of state, who had been designated to accompany me to the palace. A guard of honor of some thirty troopers also escorted me. At the palace I was met by His Excellency Mr. de Zaldo, who presented me to the President, to whom I handed my letter of credence and took occasion to say: The President sends you his most cordial greetings, and desires me to assure your excellency of his personal interest and sympathy in the welfare and prosperity of your people. In these sentiments I beg to join. To be accredited as the diplomatic representative of the United States near your excellency is to me the greatest possible compliment, and it will be my constant endeavor to so conduct the business of my legation as to draw still closer the ties of friendship which now unite our people. To which the President replied in Spanish, of which the following is a translation: As the faithful interpreter of the sentiments of the people of Cuba, permit methrough you to assure the illustrious President of the United States that our most ardent desires are the happiness and prosperity of the American people and of their worthy President. At the same time I avail myself of this opportunity to express my satisfaction at your appointment as diplomatic representative of the United States near my Government, since no other person could be more agreeable nor more fit to the end that the friendly relations between both peoples may become the most intimate and cordial. There were also assembled the principal officials of the Government, executive, judicial, and legislative, to all of whom I was formally presented, as I was afterwards to Her Excellency Madam Palma, wife of the President. The reception was a most cordial one and intended to impress my Government with the deep feeling of appreciation and regard for the past which the Cuban people and Government seem to feel toward the people of the United States. During the reception the United States flag was displayed from Morro Castle, the palace, and many of the public buildings. I inclose a copy of a note of thanks to the foreign office which I hope will meet with your approval. I have no wish to be egotistical, but I desire to win, as soon as possible, the confidence and good will of these people, feeling sure that under these conditions I will be able to render far better services to my Government even than would follow a like position under different circumstances. I have, etc., [Inclosure.] H. G. SQUIERS. F. O. No. 1.] Mr. Squiers to Cuban foreign office. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, YOUR EXCELLENCY: I have the honor to request that your excellency will take occasion to thank, in my name, Mr. Aurelio Hevia, assistant secretary of state, Mr. Yero, acting captain of the port, and Captain Laborde, chief of harbor police, for their kindness and courtesy in meeting my steamer and making my arrival here so very comfortable and pleasant. I would also like to express my appreciation of the display of flags on Morro Castle and other public buildings, which I understand was done in honor of the diplomatic representative of the United States. I desire also to congratulate the commanding officer of my military escort to the palace on the fine, soldierly appearance of his men; being an old cavalryman myself, I appreciate the high standard which he and his men have reached. May I add that I have been extremely gratified with the cordial reception accorded me, in my official capacity, which I feel sure will be much appreciated by my Government. I avail, etc., H. G. SQUIERS. RESOLUTION OF UNITED STATES SENATE CONGRATULATING CUBAN REPUBLIC ON ITS APPEARANCE AMONG THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD. No. 4.] Mr. Hay to Mr. Squiers. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, May 26, 1902. SIR: You are instructed to communicate to the foreign office the inclosed copy of the resolution of the Senate of the United States, dated the 21st instant, congratulating the Cuban Republic on its appearance among the nations of the world. I am, etc., JOHN HAY. [Inclosure.] Senate resolution No. 232, Fifty-seventh Congress, first session. Resolved by the Senate of the United States of America, That the Senate views with satisfaction and expresses congratulation at the appearance of the Cuban Republic among the nations of the world. Resolved, That the Secretary of State be directed to transmit to the President of the Cuban Republic a copy of these resolutions. RESOLUTION OF CUBAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THANKING GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES FOR ASSISTANCE. No. 3.] Señor Quesada to Mr. Hay. [Translation.] LEGATION OF CUBA, Washington, June 17, 1902. EXCELLENCY: In compliance with instructions of my Government, I have the honor to send you a resolution of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cuba of the 23d of May last, and sent to the honorable President of Cuba for transmission to the honorable President of the United States. I avail, etc., [Inclosure.-Translation.] GONZALO DE QUESADA. Resolution of the Cuban House of Representatives. HABANA, May 23, 1902. To the honorable PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that the House of Representatives, in its session of the 21st instant, unanimously resolved to sanction the proposition which I transcribe below, to the end that you may be pleased to transmit it to the honorable President of the United States: "Whereas the Cuban people has now seen its aspirations for a country, independence, and freedom crowned with success, thanks to its own heroic efforts and to the noble aid of the glorious nation of the United States of North America; "Whereas the people and Government of the American Union have been generous upholders of the Cuban revolution, and have afforded assistance even greater than that which they themselves received from the country of Lafayette and Victor Hugo in behalf of liberty; "Whereas the American Government proclaimed to the world that Cuba is, and of right ought to be, free and independent, by a joint resolution in pursuance of which it declared war against Spain, and sent its Army and Navy to fight for the rights of the Cuban people until a complete victory was gained, which culminated in the evacuation of the island by the Spanish forces, the flags of both American peoples being unfurled to the breeze; "Whereas the Government and people of the United States have faithfully carried out the solemn agreement which they spontaneously made with the Cuban people and the world at large by securing peace, establishing a Republican Government, and withdrawing after having suitably organized the various branches of the public service throughout the island, for which benefits the country is grateful; "Whereas it is the moral, political, and social duty of the people of Cuba, being legally represented by this House, officially to express its deep gratitude to the noble American people and its upright Government in such a manner as will publicly show how greatly Cuba appreciates the sacrifice made in its behalf by the descendants of Washington, Franklin, and Lincoln: "Now, therefore, the undersigned Representatives have the honor to submit to this House the following proposition, which they think should by all means be sanctioned. They propose "First. That a solemn vote of thanks be passed, a sincere expression of heartfelt gratitude to the Government and people of the United States of North America for their earnest sympathy, their efficient aid, and for the sacrifices made by them in behalf of the independence and freedom of Cuba. "Second. That an expression of our heartfelt thanks shall be conveyed to the officers and soldiers of the American Army and Navy who have aided the Cuban cause with their valor, their blood, and their lives, and who have shared with the Cubans the perils of war and the laurels of victory. |