Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 2, 1902

Mr. Squiers to Mr. Hay.

Legation of the United States,
Habana, June 16, 1902.

No. 23.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose copy of a communication, with translation, sent by the President of the Republic of Cuba to the King of Spain, and also to heads of other Governments. * * *

I have, etc.,

H. G. Squiers.

[Inclosure.—Translation.]

Tomás Estrada Palma, President of the Republic of Cuba, to His Majesty Alfonso XIII, King of Spain.

Great and Good Friend: I have the distinguished honor to inform Your Majesty that on the 20th of the present month, at 12 o’clock noon, the Republic of Cuba was established, inasmuch as the military occupation of the United States of America ceased on that date, and that I have assumed the duties of Chief Executive, as empowered by the Cuban constitution.

In communicating to Your Majesty such a happy event for this country, I take pleasure in informing you, in the name of the Cuban people, of the unalterable wishes of their present Government to maintain the warmest and most cordial relations of friendship with all nations and especially with the Government and people of Spain.

I express the best wishes for the personal welfare of Your Majesty and the prosperity of the Spanish nation.

Your good friend,

T. Estrada Palma.

Given at the executive mansion the 26th day of May, 1902.

Carlos de Zaldo, Secretary of Justice.