The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-22
CUBA'S NEXT PRESIDENT
BARToLoME MhsO, FATHER OF Tn,
PRESENT REpOL UTION,

INN Hi re-
tnte waste Rather Thnn Accept 90 ~.
spanish Dollars for little ana Cisncro.
Recent dispatches brought from Cuba h,
special messenger show that it is almost certain
that Gen. Bartolome Maso will he the nc,,
President of the Provisional Government.
There Ia probably no man who is better fitted
or more entitled to occupy the Presidential
chair than this intrepid and uncompromisinI
defender Of Cuban independence.
In no other way can Cuba show her gratitude
and appreciation Of those sterling Qualities
which have caused Maso to be loved and adj.
mired by the million and more of patriots who
are praying and fighting against overwhelming
odds for liberty. But 1t Is not gratitude alone
which prompts tho selection of Maso to MI the
position OF ch!cr executive.
He is in every way CminCntly fitted to success.
fully handle the reins of government during
those trying times OF war. which require a happy
combination OF f%irmness, tempered with tact; OF
decision. mingled with diplomacy.
Maso is not an obtrusivc man, but his pres.
once in quiet council or heated debate Is always
felt. He Is an effective orator. legislator. and
fighter. He is the Richelieu of the Cuban r-
public. Small Of stature and slight in build. he
is still a most magnetic man, and one can almost
feel the thoughts that cmanate from the mind
before they arc uttered. Maso Is very obscrvant
OF details, an excellent listener. and a brilliant
talker. Although making no %prctcncc as n poet,
many bright stanzas. containing both rhyme
and reason as well as measure, spring from his
brain, afrording entertainment and instruction
to those around him.
A portion OF his education was acquired In
Paris, as well rs his knowledge Of the French
language. or English he knows but very little,
but that little he knows correctly. ! had been
several weeks in his company. not dreaming
that he understood a word Of English, when he
one day INDUCED in a comment 30 well placed
and pronounced that l was astounded. But no
amount OF coaxing could induce him to ATTEMPT
a con versation In the language.
MaBo studies men as a doctor would patients,
and he seld ON makes a mistake in diagnosing
their true strength or weakness. He is effective.
chair is inclin cd TO be combative. And yet both
OF these, grand old men are devoted to and toll.
freedom of Cuba. Cisneros's admiration Of
Maso's ability is SO sincere that he has even
S SI,,n nd faith in Maso. With hand and
Cuban independents, and. although the ns SON Of a
Spaniard, he would never be content with any.
brothers. Rafael and n isais' he fought m throa nsi the the
rank Of MajorGenerel. His brothers lost Their
struggle until Cuba was free. He refused TO
ss,sgIn IL e treaty OF Zanjon, and when Marti. ON
OF the present revolution, Bartolome Maso was
the first man to take up arms against Spain.
or who would follow; he left the city of Manza-
milo, his birthplace. and went to. his country
he commenced TO gather about him a force OF
patriots. Here he was visited by a delegation
tried to persuade ei him that Ty r a struRSIe such such as sb bo
proposed was ill-advised and ill.timed; that the
cause OF autonomy, properly advanced, might
and i'm possible.
Maso replied; "Herminio. you and some of
edict which made 1t an offence. punishable by
death. to approach q Cuban soldier with a propo.
lutte independence. From. this moment on I
shall establish the same rule in my camp, and il
shall put that law into execution. You will
kindly take back with you SIC. DOC, which lowe
to -! Ma 2 Of Clenfueeos: i do not want it said
the money to this Spaniard. and then l am done
i Mbtn th and Tina iedes esSSe1 to in f Sghsa it until we have
The next day Maso was joined by .Amador
GSseFs A NTH Ep p5iatS tS SiffopSas' up aSs tlfs nf 1isss
OF Calcito, which they captured from the Guar
aen Uiviia; getting Mhi:h a small supply Of arms and
Maceo landed there in March. and Gomez in
the letters of Gomez am ,Msrti give to Bar
present revolution. During the first weeks OF
the war word WAS sent to HIM offering $4,000
tate was still his own property. That night he
Maso is 81 o years. DID, il ait . he looks ten
years younger; His eyes are keen and bright,
% wsIl. s an abundance hInd q g. iron gray hair covers =
student and an enthusiastic supporter OF eduoa-
ti0n; H .1,h hssmmSck swings under the same
ent President. and between the two there is not
only perfect harmony. but q genuine brotherly
become President of Cuba Tomorrow. there
would be no radical change in the policy Of tho
would probably r2main intact.
But one thing is certain: There would be no
Under his administrator there can be no home
RUE no autonomy, no peace until the monarch.
ished from the ISLAM Of Cuba. There is no vac.
%illation. no halfway measure. in Maso's compost
ton lion; During the doubtful period of 1850 to
was known as the little war, most Cuonns
lost hope and seemed to be in doubt ns to what
b. There is no other way out Of the difficulty"
slaves; Spain will permit no Cuban to be any.
thing but a tax-paying scrf. II we would have
Spain Will never give until compelled to.
~ we cannot enjoy freedom ourselves. let us
very very thought is% u HI Of , aato S%n yn uafer the ne s %S isS
nag is degradation, and disgrace. Rather than
s sire abs e Hf /, Il ! would y nasnF, 80 to 9h the moqntatns and
to think without paying tribute to spain"
th MG Ioii IKE IL al cubans. is a great admircr Of
49, ~ htNo SlNulCu 1ouE ~
public carefully" he once said TO me. 81 have
great confidence In your people and in your in.
stltutions. hut still l do not un terstand them.
Your government is supposed TO represent tho
people. II Is selected and placed In power TO
carry out their will. and yet this II SO often
seems to fail to do. Your rulers, when in office.
90 not seem TO be studying the desires or tho
welfare OF tho nation. To me they seem rather
70 Re trying to see how few promises they may
fulnl and still remain in Office.
" trust the United States 1.-THE people), and I
40 not trust her, That Is. l put but little faith
IN the party pledges and administrative prom.
ises which are so often held out to Cuba. Your
congressional resolution and Legislative TX:
pressions OF sympathy have many times raised
great hopes in our breasts. hut the irresponsivo
and to us cruel Indifference Of your Adminisrra.
non 9as, put an end 10 such thought long ago.
We feel that from the United States, at Lost.
we are entitled 20 the recognition OF belhe"r.
ency. We Will. be grateful IL it ever comes, but
We have ceased to expect II.
The single star OF our flag is mathematical OF
our tate. We have got to fight our battle for
freedom alone. This century seems TOO busy 10
furnish us with n Lafayette. Rut. what i, it
you say In Englishf We will get there Just the
ann I.