The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-09-16
An ADDRESS TO CJBANS-
From the Provisional
Government.
WHAT CUBA SHOULD Do


tude to the United states for Timely
Aid-This Government Not InimicaI
to Cuban Internationally the
Government Was Not Recognized.
Santiago de Cuba, September IA
The council Of the so-called provision
al government of the republic of Cuba,
represented by Senior BartolOme Maso,
president; Senior Mendez Capote, vice
president, and Senior Font, Senior Ale
mar and Senior Moreno de 10 Rorre,
secretaries, met at Santa Cruz, On Sep
TENDER 1st and formulated a manifesto
to the Cuban people, with an order to
the military commanders of the Gu
ban army, both Of which have been
promulgated. The manifesto, which is
an elaborate document, touches on the
history Of the movement for Cuban in
dependence and the principles upon
which the Cuban people have fought
for their liberty. 1t proceeds in part
as follows:
Though the principal object of our
revolution has been obtained, hat is,
the destruction of Spanish domination,
the work of this counc is not yet at
an end for the Cuban republic; the
ideal for which we nave fought has
not yet been constituted. Now that
hostilities have ceased and Spain has
renowned her sovereignty, it is the du-
ty of this council to set before the
Cuban people the feelings and purposes
of the men who made the revolution.
I'VE always felt confidence hat
through our own perseverance we
would in the long run destroy Spanish
domination, but we must acknowledge
that an indefinite prOlongation Of the
struggle would have annihilated the
little hat was left of our wealth and
population. The entrance upon the
field of a powerful and decisive factor,
upon which we have always relied and
toward which the hearts Of all Cu-
bans have always turned, has put an
end to the horrors of war, to the bene-
fit of all concerned.
This prompt solution we must ac-
knowledge we could never have OBJ
tanned. 1t is roper to acknowledge the
evident truth. That is the best title.
the United States has to our gratitude.
This was u situation when the
people of the United States, their GOV
eminent and congress-, came to our
iNSSCS LIN Jun opO1l tIICIL
the task of delivering US at once from
an unbearable yoke, as our sufferings
could not be endured or permitted
longer. They have accomplished their
programme brilliantly. What is more,
they have liberated in one way Or an
other, from the rule of Spain all peO-
pies by her. The liberation is definite
and i~rrevocable. Spain has been expel-
led from this hemisphere.
W are grateful. In nations as well
as in individuals, gratitude is ennOb-
ling. AS we begin now our national
life we, more han any other people,
must be jealous of u national honor.
1t is, therefore, the duty of his Gun
ell to explain to the people of Cuba
what. in it's opinion. are our duties to-
var the United States and toward
ourselves and what are the rules that
ought to direct our conduct.
When, after a long struggle, the
United States congress recognized the
right Of the people of Cuba to be free
and independent and ordered the Span
ish forces to withdraw from the is
land no Cuban government was recOg-
niZed: but the one we had constituted
though not recognized, was not oppos-
ed and has not been opposed. No steps
have been taken to dislodge it from the
place where it exercised it's function,
nor has it been considered an illegiti-
mate authority which events have dis
solved or destroyed for the good of
the people of Cuba.
ct could not be otherwise. The
United States could not interfere in
our struggle for the sake of what our
enemies might consider a political fac
ton. The American government could
interfere for the benefit of the whole
people of Cuba, a part of whom, being
under Spanish rule, was not free to
cypress a purpose or a preference. The
intention of the United States was
that. as soon as the obstacle of Span
ish rule had been removed. the whole
Cuban people should choose a govern
ment that would shape the destinies of
the island.
THE people of the United States
have all along appreciated he fact
that the majority of the people of Gu
ba is in agreement with our principles;
for the motto of the United States gov
eminent has been the same as our
own-absolute independence for Cuba.
Under these conditions, the Americans
could not take a hostile attitude to-
ward us or consider our authority il
legitimate and harmful to the welfare
of the Cuban people.
These considerations have convinced
us that we should not dissolve and that
the powers we have received from an
assembly elected by the people under
arms should not vanish. On the con-
trary, we feel that we should remain
as a nucleus and guide for those who
have vested such power in us.
W have. therefore, decided to call
together another assembly which will
| determine our future course"
In conclusion, the manifesto gives a
number of reasons why the proposed
assembly should be convened and some
| government or another chosen, mot
with the character Of a as
yet. but as ar official representation
of those Cubans who fought against
Spain and OF those who. in the cities
under Spain's control and in foreign
countries, have helped and supported
them"