Colombian authorities use your good offices in behalf of any Chinese subject in your district who may request them in the absence of recognized Chinese representation. I am, etc.,

ALVEY A. ADEE,

Acting Secretary.

representing for the time being the interests of the Chinese Government so far as may be demanded by the circumstances of any special case affecting a Chinese subject residing on the Isthmus. When the consular officer so acts he becomes, for the precise matter in hand, to a certain extent the agent of the Chinese Government as to the services he may perform for its subjects, and, as touching responsibility for his acts in relation thereto, it must be deemed to rest with the Government of China, which has solicited his good offices. It is, however, to be distinctly understood that the United States consular officer shall not thereby be held to become a consular officer of the Chinese Government, for such employment is prohibited by the Constitution to officers of the United States who are citizens. The consent of the Colombian authorities is not expected to take the shape of a formal exequatur, whereby the American consul becomes, for the time, in their eyes, the Chinese consul also; but is supposed to be limited to admitting the use of the consul's good offices in behalf of any Chinese subject in his vicinity who may request them in the absence of any recognized Chinese representative.

By reference to a further circular of the Department dated March 19, 1882, which should also be found on your files, it will be seen that the Swiss Government has made provision for reimbursing to the Government of the United States the amount of such expense as may be actually incurred by our officers in extending protection to Swiss citizens, under the circumstances above stated, on presentation of the proper accounts. The Chinese minister has not yet made similar provision, but his attention has been drawn to this practical aspect of the matter, and it is not doubted that only actual and unavoidable expense, shown to have been incurred on behalf of Chinese interests, will be cheerfully borne by the Chinese Government.

In order to avoid delays in the present disturbed condition of communication with Bogotá, I have thought it best to bring the matter directly to the attention of the Colombian minister in Washington instead of approaching his Government through Mr. Scruggs, and I have accordingly requested Señor Becerra, who, it is understood, is in direct relation with the Isthmian authorities, to acquaint the latter with the desire manifested by the Government of China and the disposition of the Government of the United States to accede thereto, and to solicit from them the issuance of such orders as will suffice to attain the friendly object in view.

Pending his response, this instruction is sent to you for your guidance in the event of occasion presenting itself for the discreet and amicable use of your good offices on behalf of Chinese subjects who may need them. By conference with the local authority at Panama you will doubtless be able to obtain cheerful recognition of the limited and unofficial function which this instruction authorizes you to assume.

SIR: The Department has received a note dated the 28th ultimo from the minister of China at this capital, in which he calls attention to the Department's instructions to your predecessor, Mr. Thomas Adamson, touching the extension of friendly protection to Chinese subjects residing on the Isthmus of Panama.

He states that there is at present no diplomatic representative of China on the Isthmus, and asks that, in view of the retirement of Mr. Adamson, those instructions may be renewed to you.

The instructions referred to are No. 34, dated August 26, 1885,

*

* * the orig

inal of which is on file in your consulate-general, and to which you are referred.

I have now, therefore, to instruct you to continue the desired protection under the limitations indicated in said instructions.

I am, etc.,

EDWARD H. STROBEL,
Third Assistant Secretary.

CUBA.

ESTABLISHMENT OF INDEPENDENT GOVERNMENT IN CUBA.

General Wood, Military Governor of Cuba, to the Adjutant-General of the Army.

[Telegram.]

HABANA, CUBA, May 20, 1902.

I have the honor to report to you that in compliance with instructions received I have this day, at 12 o'clock sharp, transferred to the President and Congress of the Republic of Cuba the government and control of the island, to be held and exercised by them under the provisions of the constitution of the Republic of Cuba. The documents sent to me were read, and Mr. Palma, in accepting the responsibilities on behalf of the island, expressed himself in kind and endearing words and thanked the Republic of the United States and its officials for all that has been done for Cuba and for the fulfillment of promises made. The ceremony was most impressive, and I embark on the Brooklyn with my staff for the United States.

WOOD.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, COMMENDING TIMELY CONSIDERATION OF MEASURES FOR MAINTAINING DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR REPRESENTATIVES IN CUBA AND FOR CARRYING OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACT MAKING APPROPRIATION FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE ARMY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1902.

To the Congress of the United States:

I commend to the Congress timely consideration of measures for maintaining diplomatic and consular representatives in Cuba and for carrying out the provisions of the act making appropriation for the support of the Army for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1902, approved March 2, 1901, reading as follows:

Provided further, That in fulfillment of the declaration contained in the joint resolution approved April 20, 1898, entitled "For the recognition of the independence of the people of Cuba, demanding that the Government of Spain relinquish its authority and government in the island of Cuba, and to withdraw its land and naval forces from Cuba and Cuban waters, and directing the President of the United States to use the land and naval forces of the United States to carry these resolutions into effect," the President is hereby authorized to "leave the government and control of the island of Cuba to its people" so soon as a government shall have been established in said island under a constitution which, either as a part thereof or in an ordinance appended thereto, shall define the future relations of the United States with Cuba substantially as follows:

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 having 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,
Habana, May 27, 1902.

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,