File No. 7622/6.
Chargé Turner to the Secretary of State.
Habana, October 29, 1907.
Sir: Replying to the department’s instruction No. 151 (file No. 7622/5) of the 23d instant, with which was inclosed copy of a letter from Mr. Chauncey Lobingier inquiring about the value of three certificates issued by the Republic of Cuba, dated June 1, 1869, and signed by the treasurer and secretary of the junta, in which the Republic of Cuba pledges itself to pay the amount of money mentioned in the body of the certificate, either after the ratification of a treaty of peace between the Government of Spain and the Republic of Cuba, or after the overthrow of the authority of the Spanish Government in the island of Cuba, or after the recognition by the Government of the United States of America of the political independence of the island of Cuba, I have the honor to state that on inquiry at the Cuban foreign office I have been informed that these certificates are of no value, and that transitory rule No. 1, under Title XIV, amendments to the constitution, “The Republic of Cuba does not recognize any other debts and obligations than those legitimately contracted in behalf of the revolution by the corps commanders of the liberating army subsequent to the 24th day of February, 1895, and prior to the 19th day of September of the same year, the date on which the Jimaguayu constitution was promulgated, and such debts and obligations as the revolutionary government may have contracted subsequently, either by itself or through its legitimate representatives in foreign countries. Congress shall classify said debts and obligations and decide as to the payment of those that may be legitimate”—is still in force.
I have, etc.,