Page:British and Foreign State Papers, vol. 144 (1952).djvu/304

280 2. Sovereignty rests in the people and from the people all public powers emanate.

3. The territory of the Republic is composed of the Island of Cuba, the Isle of Pines, and the other adjacent islands and keys which with them were under the sovereignty of Spain until the ratification of the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898.

The Republic shall not conclude or ratify any pacts or treaties which in any manner limit or lessen national sovereignty or its territorial integrity.

4. The territory of the Republic is divided into Provinces and these latter into municipal districts. The present Provinces shall be named: Pinar del Rio, La Habana, Matanzas, Las Villas, Camagüey and Oriente.

5. The flag of the Republic is that of Narciso López, which was raised on Morro Fort at Havana on May 20, 1902, when the public powers were transmitted to the people of Cuba. The national coat of arms is the one established as such by law. The Republic shall not recognise or consecrate, as having a national character, any flag, anthem or coat of arms other than those to which this Article refers.

On buildings, forts and public dependencies, and at official acts, no flag shall be raised other than the national one, except foreign flags in those cases and in the manner permitted by protocol and by international usages, treaties and the laws. As an exception, the flag of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes may be raised in the City of Bayamo, which is declared a national monument.

The national anthem is the Hymn of Bayamo, composed by Pedro Figueredo, and it shall be the only one played in all government dependencies, barracks and official acts. Foreign anthems can be played in the cases previously specified in connection with foreign flags.

Notwithstanding what is specified in the second paragraph of this Article, flags pertaining to the armed forces can be raised on forts and barracks. In like manner, societies, organisations or associations of any kind can raise their flags or insignia on their buildings, but the national flag shall always occupy a preferential place.

6. The official language of the Republic is Spanish.