The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-09-03
CIVIL LAW IN CUBA
inside Views from tho Letters Of a Cuban
GeOaralt0 His Family.
GOVERNMENT OF PEACE FOR THE FUTURE
Elections Pass with Tranquility
Military Operations uninportnnt
-Tmdependence WiIl Be Achieved
--Lctters Helated, but Contents In
terestisig.
Tampa, Fla, Sep. 2, 1897.

Brfgad.er General Enrique Coilaao, of
The Cuban army, has written several
letters to his family in this city on the
situation of affairs in Cuba. The let
ters, though greatly delayed, contain
some interesting features. Under date
of La Parras, Holguin. June 26th. 1897,
he writes:
we have just passed the electoral per-
bod with tranquility and the exercise of
our rights of liberty. There were $4,000
votes cast In the Orient, the eastern
division, which Is composed of the prov
inces OF Camaguey. Puerto Principe and
Santiago. The official board met at
Mala Noche on the oath of June. and
declared the results. The following are
the names, of those who were elected by
the first division:
Enrique Co]lazo, Aurlelo Hevia. Tomas
Pardo, Manuel d'Esprague, while from
the second corps, Boyamo. Manuel Rod
rlguez, Jose fernandez, Random. Jose
Fernandez de Castro and Carlos NJ dc
Cespedes were elected. We have not
learned the result Of the election in
Camaguey yet, but expect 10 march in
that direction In about fifteen or twen-
. ty days. 1t is after this march that
We Will have the preliminary meetings
OF those elected to the assembly The
final meeting to select the new govern
ment Will be held some time In Septem-
Der. 1 think we will make the change
OF government without any difficulty
and in conformity with the laws, so
the outside world can see ,that in the
midst Of this terrible struggle we can
live together as n free people, In the eX-
ercise of our just rights
There has been but little doing in the
way of operations. The excessive rains,
the debility OF the Spanish soldiers and
their sickness has really paralyzed all
operations on their part, and we can
do but little"
In the next letter. under date Of
Potosi. Tunas, July 4th. 1897, he says:
The papers from Madrid have Just
been received and they bring us the in
teiligence OF the agitation in the United
states. ! see the. excitement is great,
but expect nothing to come of 1t until
the close of the year, at least.
we have just passed q terrible crisis
After nine months of drought we were
without vegetables In the Orient, and
there were no cattle. There was no
water. We have an excessive popula-
ton. in Holguin sc, 600 alone, and We
were afraid this crisis wound hnve pros
trated us But 1t was so that we we're
able to bring from Camaguey and Til
mas great herds of cattle, which car
ried us over to the rainy season. Now
we have an abundance OF vegetables
ana all OF The necessities of life
we are assured of the final triumph
winch VIII occur soon IL we are hclped
from the outside, hut later IL we are
ieft TO ourselves, success will be ours
ultimately"
by the same courier that brought over
lhese letters came the address of Gene
raj Coiiazo delivered to his constituents
upon mis- election as n delegate. The
ADDRESS shows that at the meeting of
me assembly, which elects the new
fresldeRt and Cabinet some time this
inonth, u radical change will be made
IN the policy of the governments:
we have had. until now, a govern
ment OF war. We need for the future
a government of peace, respectful or the
law and energctically enforced we
lhust, then. create government in
Wnlch the bhrec powers can act In ner
feet independence, but at the same time
nelplnE each other as q guarantee of
liberty. -
we VIII define by means of 4 more
extended constitution, the form OF Re-
puhtlcan government we need securing
to each State its Individual government
Inc executive power should be vested In
the FFesident, who should he elected by
the people, he having the fun mower
10 appoint ms Cabinet or ministry, be
- '~.sSN "i'u d poNer over the army
also ihe legislative power should re-
SIDE IN the houses Of representatives. tho
'nshipers OF which should be elected nv
popular vote. the house to perform its
functions in limited time taking a re-
cess and being subject TO limited call
Tor aii or hieh the law should provide
1t Will call the outgoing government or
administration to give an account of its
actions. or this should be demanded nj
any time the good of the country de-
mands 1t.
The judicial power should be In.
aependent, with tribunals In each State.
tary as we'll as civil"