n over the public lands in
Puerto Rico, and that he be directed to ascertain the location and
quantity of lands the title to which remained in the Crown of Spain
at the date of cession of Puerto Rico to the United States, and that
appropriations necessary for surveys be made, and that the methods of
the disposition of such lands be prescribed by law.

On the 25th of July, 1900, I directed that a call be issued for an
election in Cuba for members of a constitutional convention to frame a
constitution as a basis for a stable and independent government in the
island. In pursuance thereof the Military Governor issued the following
instructions:

Whereas the Congress of the United States, by its joint resolution of
April 20, 1898, declared--

"That the people of the island of Cuba are, and of right ought to be,
free and independent.

"That the United States hereby disclaims any disposition or intention to
exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control over said island except
for the pacification thereof, and asserts its determination, when that
is accomplished, to leave the government and control of the island to
its people;"

And whereas, the people of Cuba have established municipal governments,
deriving their authority from the suffrages of the people given under
just and equal laws, and are now ready, in like manner, to proceed to
the establishment of a general government which shall assume and
exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction, and control over the island:

Therefore, it is ordered that a general election be held in the island
of Cuba on the third Saturday of September, in the year nineteen
hundred, to elect delegates to a convention to meet in the city of
Havana at twelve o'clock noon on the first Monday of November, in the
year nineteen hundred, to frame and adopt a constitution for the people
of Cuba, and as a part thereof to provide for and agree with the
Government of the United States upon the relations to exist between that
Government and the Government of Cuba, and to provide for the election
by the people of officers under such constitution and the transfer of
government to the officers so elected.

The election will be held in the several voting precincts of the island
under, and pursuant to, the provisions of the electoral law of April 18,
1900, and the amendments thereof.

The election was held on the 15th of September, and the convention
ass