Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-15
A CUBAN MANIFESTO,
II is from the Council Of the
Provisional Government
| THE MOVEMENT FOR INDEPENDENCE,
Principles Upon Which The CubanS
Fought for Their Liberty.
WOULD HAVE WON IN THE END.
Prompt Solution of Problem Aford-
ed by United States Gratefully
Acknowledged "Abso1ute Inde-
pendence for Cuba" the Motto'

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, September II
The council of the so-called provisional
government of the republic of Cuba rep
resented by Senor Bartolome Maso' presi-
dent: Senor Mendez Capote, Vice-presi-
dent. and Senior Font Senor Aleman' ana
Senior Moreno de la Tore secretaries
met at Santa Cruz on September lst anu
formulated a manifesto to the Cuban peo-
Mo With an order to the military COM
r,anders of the Cuban army, both Oh
which have been promulgated.
The manifesto, which is an elaborate
document. touches on the history oil the
movement for Cuban independence ana
the principles upon which the Cuban peo-
ple have fought for their liberty II pro-
ceeds, in part, as follows
"Though the principal object OF our
revolution has been obtained-that Is the
destruction of Spanish dominatioh-the
work of this council is not yet at an ehd'
for the Cuban republic-tho ideal LOT
which we have fought-has not yet Deeh
constituted. Now that hostilties nave
ceased and Spain has renounced her soF-
ereignty. 1t is the duty of this couhcl u
cot before the Cuban people the feelings
aud purposes of the men who made the
revolution.
WOULD HAVE WON EVENTUALLY
eve always felt confident that through
our own perseverance we would III the
long run destroy Spanish domination Dut
we must acknowledge that an indefinite
nro,onoation of the struggle would have
annihilated the little that was leit Oh our
wealth and population. The entrance
pnon the field of a powerful ana decislEe
e,ctor upon which we have always de-
nended for relief, and toward which 'he
hearts of all Cubans have always turned
has put an end to the horrors oil war; !"
the benefit of all concerned
This prompt solution, we must ac-
knowledge. We could never have OBTAIN
ed. II is proper 10 acknowledge the eNl-
dent truth That is the best utle tne
United States has TO our gratltuue' We
were abandoned by the world Some Ma
tions ignoring US through seillSI.le9S'
others ignorant of our real condition.
considering us an obstinate and ungov-
errable people. because we did not ae-
.ort tho caioleries and batteries with
which Spain tried to soothe our Just an
ger.
AMERICAS INTERVENTION.
"This was our situation when the peo-
ple of the United States. their govern
ment and Congress, came 10 our rescue
and took upon their shoulders the task
of delivering us at once from an uhpedr-
able yoke. as our sufferings could not De
endured or permitted longer. They nave
accomnIished their programme brilliant
ly What is more, they nave Hperateu'
in one way or another, from the rule
from Spain. all peoples oppressed by her.
The liberation is definite. Spain has been
expelled from this hemisphere.
eve are grateful In nations as well
as IN individuals gratitude is ennobling.
As we begin now our national life, we,
more than any other people, must be
Jealous of our national honor. 1t Is, there
fore. the duty of this council to explain
TO the people of Cuba what, In IT'S opinion,
are our duties toward the United States
and toward ourselves. and what are the
rules that ought to direct our conduct.
NO GOVERNMENT RECOGNIZED.
"When. after a long struggle. the United
States Congress recognized the right OF
the people of Cuba 10 be free and inde-
pendent. and ordered the Spanish forces
TO withdraw from the island, no Cuban
Government was recognized. but the one
we had constituted, though not recog-
nized. was not opposed, and has not seen
opposed. No steps have been taken to
dislodge it from the place where 1t exer-
cised it's functions, nor has II been consid-
cred an illegitmate authority, whlch
events have dissolved or destroyed for the
good of the people of Cuba.
"It could not be otherwise. The United
States could not interfere in our strug-
ole for the sake of what our enemies
might consider a political faction. The
American Government could only inter-
vene for the benefit of the whole people
OF Cuba, part of whom, being under
Snanish rule. was not free 20 express a
nurpose 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 government that would shape
the destinies of the island
.rhe people of the United States have
all along appreciated the fact that the
p,aioritv of the people of Cuba is In agree
r,ent with our principles, for the motto
90 The United States Government has
hoon the same as our own-to-wit, ab-
Int independence for Cuba.
.T,nder these conditions the Americans
oovId not consider our authority illegiu-
r,ate or harmful 10 the welfare OF the
Cuban people.
ANOTHER ASSEMBLY CALLED
"rhese considerations show us that we
shouIa not dissolve. and that the powers
hove received from an assembly
a,ectsd by the people under arms should
-, ,,anish. on the contrary, we feel
NJ. we should remain as nucleus and
ID for those who have vested such
power in us.
1--WE have therefore decided to call to-
oether another assembly, which VIII de-
.ermine our future course
In conclusion. the manifesto gives
,,,mber OF reasons why the proposed as
ssmhlv should be convened. and some
Government or other chosen. not with
The character OF government as yet.
hut as an Official representation OF those
cubans who fought against Spain. and OF