The San Francisco call., 1898-04-11
Call Office, Riggs House,


 Senor Gonzales de Quesada, the dip lomatic representative of the Cuban Junta, to-day issued the following signed statement to show that the in surgents have a regularly organized civil government whose independence can be recognized:
 It is circulated by the enemies of the cause of the independence of Cuba that they have no government. or CIVIL or, ganization to recognize. It is admitted by all that there is Cuban army when to re-establish her control of the island, the triumphs and hardships of the Cuban soldiers are written up every day, put the more admirable example of the vir- tue and capacity of the people of Cuba, the creation and working of civil or ganiZation, is lost; and yet there IS no writer who has visited the island, Eng fish or American, who has not told the world of the government or the repuplc of Cuba. At this moment short sketch of the laws and officers of the republc cannot fail to interest the American peo- pie and serve to dispel any doubt in the minds of Senators and Congressman who will be called to vote for resolution rec ogniZing the republic.
 From the very inception of the revolu- tion the Cubans provided for civil power. The Cuban revolutionary party, which prepared and directed the move ment, was q civil organization, headed by Jose Marti. who zealously aided in es- tablishing the paramount influence of the law over the sword. General Gomez then and throughout all the revolution has shown himself desrouS that the civil au- thorities should have the supreme power. When he and Marti landed their first aim was to constitute provisional govern ment. Gomez, as well as all the other military leaders, recognized Marti as the civil head. After the meeting of Gomez. Maceo and Marti at Mejorana on May 1, 1895, call for the selection of representa- tiveS of the Cuban people to form a civil government was made, and Marti and Gomez marched to the central provinces to arrange for these important details. signed by both Gomez and Marti.
 The death of Marti postponed for a time the selection of the representatives, but in the beginning of September 1895, the call previously issued was compiled with: Representatives from each of the provinces of Santiago, Puerto Principe, Se nta Clara and the western part of the island, comprising the provinces of Ma taLZas and Habana, making twenty in all. were elected to the constituent as- government, republican in form. The constituent assembly, composed of doc tors, lawyers and distinguished Cubans, met at Jimaguayu, in the province of Puerto Principe, on September 13, 1895. It was duly organized, it solemnly de- clared the independence of Cuba and it's and confirmed the existence of the re- public of Cuba among the political divis- ions of the world. The constitution, based on democratic and republican principles was to be in force two years, unless the freedom of Cuba was obtained previous to the expiration of that time.
 l. On the 18th of September the following officials of the Government were elected by the constituent assembly in accord ance with the terms of the constitution President, Salvador Cisperos Betancourt of Puerto Principe; Vice-President, Bar tolomeo MaSo of ManZanillo; Secretary of War, Carlos Roloff of Santa Clara; Secre- tary of the Treasury; Severo Pima of Santa Spritus; Secretary of the Interior, San- tiago Gracia Canizares of Remedies Secretary of Foreign Relations, Rafael M. Portunondo of Santiago de Cuba; Sub Matanzas; Sub-Secretary of the Treas ury, Joaquin Castillo of Santiago de Cuba; Sub-Secretary of the Interior, Car los Dubois of Baracoa; Sub-Secretary of Foreign Relations, Fermin Valdez Domin- gueZ of Habana
 The installation of these officers duly followed. The election of the general-in- chief and the second in command who Is to bear the title of lieutenant-general was then held, and resulted in the unanimous election of Maximo Gomez and Antonio Maceo respectively. On tho same day the constituent assembly elect ed by acclamation as delegate pleni- potentiary and general agent abroad of the Cuban republic Tomas Estrada Palma
 During the two years of the Cisneros administration and up to the time of Maceos death, the civil authorities of the republic have exercised their functions republic of Cuba, which is about three fourths of the island. There is a civil governor in every province who has his subordinates and employees. The provinces