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Show ISLE OF PINES NREBELLIQN Citizens Strenuously Object to Heine: Handed Over to Cuba. MASS MEETIMiS FORM TENTATIVE GOVERNMENT Elecl Officers ami Demand Recognition Rec-ognition as Territory of United states. NKW YORK. Nov lii A cable dln-patch dln-patch to the Herald from Havana says thai the irslihnts of the Isle of Fines have Issued a declaration of their Independence Inde-pendence fri m Cuba and organized a in vv government ns United States territory. ter-ritory. A l iepate to Congress will be sent to Washington in order to have questions affecting the future of the island is-land discussed before the Mouse 'f Representatives Rep-resentatives Ignoring Cuban authoritj Elect Territorial Officers. Mass meotlngR were held under the name of territorial conventions, and of-flclals of-flclals wen appointed to All all positions SXCi pi Ihoae that must be named by the Presldenl under the Constitution of the Inlted States. The first officers of the. now Territory are: T H. Anderson, Secretary of ' State James M Bteett Treasurer; Eid C U.an. delegate to Congress, Con-gress, A T Frlese, I hlel Justice David li. Wall, Sheriff. Orders Legislative Elections. The convention divided the Island Into live distil' l- and ordered elections to ho in id Tuesdaj to Relet I members of the Legislature, which Is to convene next week One ticket was named In each district the only political question be-Ing be-Ing to keep the island under the stars and stripes. The election Is proceeding In an orderlv manner under tho forms of law. the men on the different tickets announcing an-nouncing that they will tnke office tmme-iiiaioiv. tmme-iiiaioiv. without regard to those serving under the t'uban Government. First ofll. lal notice of the affair is contained con-tained in this letter: Notice to President. MUSVS Uerona, Inle .of Pines. Nov 14. Mr Theodore Rooeevslt, President, Washington Washing-ton Dear Sir The people of thla Island. hn Ing purchaed homes under the treaty of Paris, hellevlnit It waa t'nlted States territory, terri-tory, and having waited over three years for recognition Of their right as American ctl-ens. ctl-ens. fearing a continuation of these conditions condi-tions and feeling; alarm nt the condition of Cula during the coming; election, have taken preliminary steps for the establishment of a Territorial Government under the Constitution Constitu-tion of tho t'nlted Ststes. bellelne this the proper step for us to take and the most effective ef-fective way to receive Justice and equity fmm our National law-muklng hody. also relying upon you our President, for a square deal We trust our action will meet your approval approv-al Toura respectfully. T H ANDERSON, Chairman Territorial Convention Only One Opposing Voice. At tho meeting only one voice was raised against the action taken. That was hy a man who expressed fear of the results, asserting that all are liable to punishment under Cuban laws Fully One-third Of those now living on the island is-land are American citizens About balf the natives live hi the little town of Nueva Gerona, Their Inclination Is said to havo the Island belong to the United States. American Club Starts It This movement to sever relations with Cuba tvas fomented by the American i lub Sixty members of tho cluh met l"t Monday, declared themselves a Territorial Terri-torial convention, and took steps to organize a government A recess was t.iki-n until Saturday. More than 2X persons gathered at Nueva Gerona. I nlted States Becretarj of State Ellhu Root, lien Ieor.ard Wood nnd others concerned In having the Cuban banner raised were denounced. It was decided to have a Legislature of eleven men two from each district and one delegate-at-large, Dr. Ramldall receiving re-ceiving the nomination for that office. Was All Enthusiasm. "It was like an old style Southern mass mooting all enthusiasm.' said S. H Fcarey to the Herald correspondent yes-i yes-i terday. Mr. Pearcy is vice-president' of the Isle of Pines company whh h controls con-trols 1SO.OO0 acres out of a total of about 7(XnO0 on the Island ''We are fighting for Justice. ' he continued. con-tinued. "Wood sold us out, lock, stork and barrel, for two coaling stations, after af-ter he had assured us the island would be retained by the T'nlted States. Cuba's onl interest In the Island Is to afford snug berths for a f'-w officials. There are about twelve offices on the island, is-land, all filled by carpet-hnggors. as no native has one The Cuban Government Govern-ment has spent nothing and collects the taxes Denounce Cuban Government. Personally, 1 have Just lost Slmo ns (lour and other merchandise which I brought from Mobile had passed through a warehouse without a roof and nothing to protect tlm goods from rain They have refused to repair the dock or roads Wo claim rights which are guaranteed us. We have set up an American Territory, Terri-tory, and purpose to maintain thnt status Any person who has In his blood any of the spirit displayed by ihoe in the Boston tea party will sympathize with us in our effort for freedom ' |