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Show ISLE Of PINES CITIZENS DECLARE INDEPENDENCE AND FORM A TERRITORY i NEW Y.ORK, Nov. 15. A cable dispatch dis-patch to the Herald from Havana says that the residents of the Isle of Pines have issued a declaration of their independence inde-pendence from Cuba and organized a new government as a United States Territory. A delegate to Congress will be sent to Washington in order to have 'questions affecting the future of the island discussed before the House of Representatives, ignoring Cuban authority. au-thority. Mass meetings were held under the name of Territorial conventions and officials of-ficials were appointed to fill all positions posi-tions except those that must be named by the President under the Constitution of the United States. New Officers. The first officers of the new Territory are: T. B. Anderson. Secretary of State: James M. Steere, Treasurer; Ed C. Ryan. Delegate to Congress; A. T. Frlese. Chief Justice; David B. Wall. Sheriff. The convention divided the Island into five districts and ordered elections to be held Tuesday to select members of the Legislature, whirh Is to convene next week, tax assessors and collectors. One ticket was named In each district, the only political question being to keep the Islands under the Stars and Stripes. The election is proceeding In an orderly or-derly manner under the forms of law, the men on the different tickets announcing an-nouncing that they will take office Immediately Im-mediately without regard to those serving serv-ing under the Cuban Government. Official Notice. First official notice of the affair is contained in this letter: "Mr. Theodore Roosevelt. President. Washington. Dear sirjThe people of this Island, having purchased homes under the treaty of Paris, believing It was United States territory, and having waited over three years for recognition of their rights as American citisens, fearing a continuation of these conditions condi-tions and feeling alarm at the condition condi-tion of Cuba during the coming election, elec-tion, have taken preliminary steps for the establishment of a Territorial government gov-ernment under the Constitution of the United States, believing this the proper step for us to take and the most effective effec-tive way to receive Justice and equity from our national lawmaking body, also relying upon you. our President, for a square deal. "We trust our action will meet your approval. Yours respectfully. " T. B. ANDERSON. "Chairman Territorial Convention." One Dissenting voice. At the meeting there was only one voice raised against the action taken. That was by a man who expressed fear of the -esults, asserting that all are liable lia-ble to punishment under Cuban laws. Fully one-third of those now living on the island are American cltlrens. About half the natives live In the little town of Nueva Gerona. Their inclination inclina-tion Is said to have the Island belong to the United States. Americans Start Movement. This movement to sever relations with Cuba was fomented by the American Amer-ican club. Sixty members of the club met last Monday, declared themselves a Territorial convention, and took steps to organize a Government. A recess was taken until Saturday. More than two hundred persons gathered gath-ered at Neuva Gerona. United States Secretary of State Elihu Root, Gen. Leonard Wood and 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. Randall receiving the nomination for that office. |