Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-09-15

| Santiago dc Cuba, Sept. 1.-THE council
of the so-called provisional government OF
the republic of Cuba, represented by Sonor
l'artolome Masso, president; Scnor Men
| deZ Capote, yice-presidcnt. and Scnor
| Font Senor Alcman and Scnor Moreno De
| LA Tore, secretaries, met at Santa Cruz
on September and fcrmulat ted II manfes-
to to the Cuban people, with an order to
/ the military commanders OF the Cuban
army, both OF which have been promu-
gated.
The manifesto, which is an elaborate
document, touches on the history Of the
movement for Cuban Independence and
the principles upon which the Cuban peo-
Pile have fought for their liberty. 1t pro-
cceds, in part. as follows:
/ Tho peace prelimnnres have been sign
cd and the government of the United
States has imposed upon Spain an oblga-
ton to renounce all her rights OF soVer-
eighty over the Island of Cuba and to
cvacuate the territory Immediately. The
cessation of hostities has also been
agreed upon.
Though the principal object Of cur
revolution has been obtained, that is, the
destruction of Spanish domination, the
work of this council is not yet at all end
for the Cuban republc-thc ideal for
which we have fought-has not yet been
constituted. Now that hostlitics have
ceased and Spain has renounced her SOW
ereignty, it is the duty of this council 20
set before the Cuban people the feelings
and purposes of the men who made tho
revolution
I'VE always felt confident that through
our own perseverance we would in tho
long run destroy Spanish domination, but
we must acknowledge that an indetinite
lprolongation of the struggle would have
larnihilated the little that was left of our
wealth and population The entrance
Inppu tho fold NJ n nj nd 81,
factor upon which we have always relied
and toward which the hearts Of all Gu
bans have always turned, has put an end
to the horrors of war, to the benefit of all
iconccrned
This prompt solution we must ac-
knowledge we could never have obtained.
Il is proper to acknowledge the evident
truth. That is the best title the Tunited
States mas to our gratitude. We were
abandoned TO the world, some nations ig-
nor!ng us through selishness. others, IS-
norant of our real condition, considering
us an obstinate and ungovernablc people,
because we did not accept the Cajoleries
and batteries with which Spain tried to
, sooth our just anger
This was our situation when the people
= Of the United States, their government
and Congress came to our rescue and
took upon their shoulders the task of de-
livering us at once from an unbearable
yoke, as our sufrerings could not be en-
:, durcd or permitted longer They have
= accomplished their programme brilliantly.
What is more, they have liberated, in one
:. way or another, from the rule of Spain,
all peoples oppressed by her. The liberal
:. ton is definite and irreVocable Spain
, has been expelled from this hemisphere.
I'VE are grateful. In nations as we'll rs
in individuals gratitude is ennobling. Az
We begin now our national life we, more
. than any other people, must he jealous of
our national honor L is, therefore, tho
: duty OF this council to explain to the pco-
q pic of Cuba what. in its opinion. are our
duties toward the United States and to-
:. ward ourselves and what are the rules
that ought to direct our conduct.
: ''When after a long struggle. the Uni
c ted States Congress recognized the right
I of the people of Cuba to be free and in
l. dependent and ordered the Spanish forces
i to withdraw from the island no Cuban
L government was recognized but the one
;. we had constituted. though not recog-
ni2ed, was not opposed and has not been
II opposed. No steps have been taken to
dislodge it from the place where it ex-
|. ercised its function nor has 1t been con-
y sidered an ilegitimate authority which
8 events have dissolved or destroyed for
a the good of the people of Cuba.
J. 1T could not be otherwise. The Uni
o ted States could not interfere in our strug-
It gle for the sake of what our enemies
might consider a political faction. The
o American government could intervene for
II the benefit of the whole people OF Cuba.
Is u part of whom, being under Spanish rule.
vas not free to express purpose or a
preference, The intention of the United
States was that, as soon as the obstacle
OF Spanish rule had been removed the
whole Cuban people should choose a gov
@ ernment that would shape the destines
of the island.
THE people of the United States have
4. all along appreciated the fact that the
Ie majority of the people of Cuba is in agree
II ment with our principles for the motto
st of the United States government has
% been the same as our own-absolute in
J. dependence for Cuba. Under these condi-
IS tions the Americans could not take a
n hostile attitude toward us or consider our
'e authority illegitimate and harmful to the
IS welfare of the Cuban people.
L. These considerations have convinced us
in that we should not dissolve and that the
rs powers we have received from an as
D. semhy elected by the people under arms
er should not vanish. On the contrary VIC
IT feel that we should remain as nucleus and
H. guide for those who have vested such
* power in us.
1r I'VE have. therefore. decided to call to-
g gether another assembly, which will de-
t. etermine our future course"
IN In conclusion the manifesto gives a
I'd number of reasons why the proposed as
IN sembly should be convened and some gov
e. ernment or another chosen mot with the
I'd character of a government as yet but as
an official representation OF those Cubans
pp who fought against Spain and of those
II who, in the cities under Spains contro
and in foreign countries. have helped and