The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-04-11
THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA.
Mr.. Quesada Proves the Existence of
a Civil Government.

Mr.. Quesada Proves the Existence of
Civil Government.
Gonzalo De Quesada, diplomatic repre-
sentative of the Cuban insurgents, has is
sued statement to show that the revO-
lutionists have regularly organized civil
government, whose independence can be
recognized. He does this. ne asserts, be-
cause enemies have declared that there
was no real organization He says that
from the very inception Of the revolution
airy movement Jose Martf and his patriot
associates were most Jealous in establish
ing the paramount influence of the law
over the sword.
Senior De Quesada tells of the imme-
date steps taken by Gomez, Marti and
Maceo TO constitute a provisional govern
ment in 1895, when they contemplated hos
tile operations, by the calling of con-
vention which. owing to the death of
Marti did not convene until September of
that year. Then twenty delegates from
the various provinces, and men of the
highest standing, were elected and sent
to the constituent assembly, which met
at Jimaguayu. September g. There the
independence of Cuba was solemnly de-
clared.
A constitution was adopted and officers
were elected. headed by Salvador Cisneros
Betancomb. president. Tomas Estrada
Palma was made delegate plenipOten-
tiary and general agent abroad of the
republic.
During the two years Of the Cisneros
administration and up to the present time
of Masso's," the statement continues,
1.-THE civil authorities of the republic have
exercised their functions throughout the
territory controlled by the Republic of
Cuba, which is about three-fourths of the
island. There is a civil governor in ev
cry province. who has his subordinates
and employees.
1.-The provinces are divided into pre-
lectures. under the supervision of the
Secretary of the Interior. That the duties
of the prefecture are in working opera
ton, the official kilograms of the Span
| ish press afford innumerable proofs.
Documents were filed before the Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations las.
April which proved the civil government.
explained as to commerce, government
workshops, manufacture. coast inspec-
tors postOffices: that stamps have been
issued, public schools established, civil
marriage provided for; that the public
treasury is well organized. taxes being
collected and amounting 10 hundreds Of
thousands of dollars. President Cisneros
and afterwards President MassO issuing
State papers as they became opportune
1.-The military authorities are subordi-
nate to the civil government. In many
documents the generals so declare II.
When General Gomez. the COMMANDMENT
chief. took the oath Of the constitution,
in July. 1896. he published the following
circular:
headquarters of the Army of Liberia
tion.-This headquarters being Informed
of the unworthy proceedings Of some
chiefs and officers of the army with re-
gard TO the civil authorities of the
public, and resolved as II is not to con-
sent in any case nor by any person that
the sacred principles Of discipline sub
ordination and morality of the revOlu-
ton should be disregarded. but that re-
spect should be rendered to the majesty
of its democratic Institutions 10 reminds
all chiefs and officers of the inevitable
duty which they nave TO respect the
functionaries OF the civil government.
according 10 their rank.
The military authorities are obliged
to give the decisive protection of their
force to the civil authorities. for the bet
ter fulhllment of their duties.
a The chiefs of the corps. divisions
anu DTlGau1S Will Gl1StlSt severely ali
subordinates against whom any COM
plants may be made of their bad conduct
in this respect. they being answerable to
this headquarters for their leniency or
Indifference.
Five newspapers are also published
in the republic. a constituent assembly
was convoked 20 meet in October. 1891.
to revise the laws and elect new officers.
The government council passed an elect
tives were chosen from the six prov
inces by all the citizens of the republic,
those in the army as well as the civil
ians. The election was untrammeied by
the military.
1T was a brilliant assembly which sat
the most of October and November. DR..
Mendez Capote. ex-professoF of law in
the Havana University. presided. The
outgoing secretaries OF state submitted
their reports. which were examined and
passed upon by committees. A new
constitution was adopted October %
1897 which will be in force two years
unless independence is obtained before
hand. when an assembly shall be called
to provide temporarily for the govern
ment and administration of the republic
until a definite constituent assembly
shall meet. The new government was
elected as follows:
president. BartOlme MassO: vice
president. Domingo Mendez Capote; sec
rotary of war JOSEF. AIeman; secre-
tary of foreign relations. Andres Mo-
reno de LatOrre; secretary of the treas
ury. ErnestO Fonts Sterling: secretary
of the interior DIR. Manuel r Silva:
sub-secretary of war. Rafael De Car
denas; sub-secretary of the treasury.
Col. SaturninO LastOa: sub-secretary OF
foreign relations. Nicolas Alberdi: sub
rotary of the interior Pedro Aguil-
era Kindelan.
THE government council appointed
Major Gen. Maxine Gomez generaI-in-
chief. and Major Gen. Colixto Garcia as
lieutenant general"
DISORDER IN MADRID.