Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-04-02
CIsNERos TO M'KINLEY.
President of the Cuban Republic Ap-
peaIs for Recognition by the
United States.

Chicago. April 1.-The Inter Ocean to-day
prints an open letter which President Cis-
neros of the Cuban republic, has sent to
President Mckinley. The letter, which is of
great length, was sent TO the Inter Ocean
by one of its correspondents who visited
Cisneros at his executive headquarters 20! on
Cubitas mountain, state of Camaguey- Cls-
neros says:
..During the administration CT your high
Office, there will be many questions and
matters of Importance for ycu TO decide.
Affairs at home and abroad Will tax the
strength you are known to possess, but L
would ask you in the name of God and my
people to extend early consideration to
what is known in the United States as the
Cuban question. We have at this time in
your beautiful capital legation, as yet
unrecognized officially by your govern
ment. That legation, composed of men We
trust and honor, is amply in the position
to inform the American government of
such details as it may desire.
in the first place. 1 beg you to consider
that the island of Cuba rightfully belongs
to the people of the Western hemisphere.
Its geographical location precludes the pos
sibility of it being considered part of
any other continent: secondly, its people
are essentially American in all their hopes
and aspirations, ard, thirdly, the island
and its people will continue TO grow more
and more strongly American from day to
day and from year to year. Therefore at
the outset. may ! not ask: Why does
Spain struggle against fate? Were 1t posi-
BILE for her to drag the island across the
Atlantic, as she drags men and women to
Jail. were it possible to exterminate the
present population and replant the soil
with her loyal subjects, or were it possi-
BILE to enforce that ignorance and stupidity
she so much desires in the communication
with the great republic, then there might
be q prospect of holding Cuba ever faith
full.
But, even with these, doubt her ahil-
ity to control the island after the passage
of certain period. The sons of Spaniards
coming in, after generations, would be
Cubans, devoted to their little island
domain and with as much detestation for
its enslavery as are the Cubans of to-day.
Therefore, do as she may. Spain is des-
tined to lose Cuba eventually, and could
she hope for success in the present war, it
would only be a matter of a few years
when another rebellion would command
her attention, entailing the loss of thou
sands of lives and the vast expenditure of
money. and with only the prospect of u,ti-
mate defeat"
Cisneros then gives details of the growth
of the revolutionary cause throughout the
island, the establishment of various de-
partments of government, by which the
insurgents collect taxes, maintain armies,
carry mails and concludes as follows:
Without further burdening you. have
the honor to say that every department of
the government is a present in good work
ing order, and that unity of purpose per-
vades every branch, civil and military.
while the people of the island as a whole
are giving us their most earnest support
The army in the field, under the command
of my brave and true friend, General Max
irno Gomez, is conducting a war of energy
and mercy The struggle may go on for
years, and Cuba may continue to fight the
battle against fearful odds alone but so
long as there is God to give us courage
We will cling TO the banner of right and
freedom, and never falter until the vic
tory is won.
Assuring you of the honor I am pos
sessed in addressing you. and wishing you
and your great republic Godspeed. 1 am,
SALVADOR CISNEROS BETANCOURT
President of Cuba
"Cubitas Mountain, Cuba, March %, 1881. /"