The record-union., 1898-05-04
WHO THEY ARE.
THE OFFICERS OF THE CUBAN
REPUBLIC AT THIS TIME.
Some Sketches of the Chief Men of
the Insurgents Civil Govern
menS in Cuba.


Bartolome Maso, the President Of
the Cuban Republic, was born in Man
zanlIlo in 1884; he studied literature
and was a contributor to the newspa-
pers. He was one of those who rose
with Cespedes in 1868, and attained the
rank of Colonel. After the revolution
he devoted himself to the development
of his estates, but was soon imprisoned
by the Spanish General, Polarieja, in
the MORO Castle, at Santiago de Cuba.
He was exiled to Spain and later con-
demned to the chain gang in Chapa-
rinas, only returning to Manzanillo on
a pardon granted in 1888. BY sheer
honesty and perseverance he acquired
fortune in his calling, taking no part
in the political controversies of the
Spanish political parties
The failure of Minister Mauras re-
form plan made the fervent patriot an
enthusiastic conspirator of this man of
peace. He was the soul of the con-
spiracy which brought about the Marti
agitation. On the 24th of February,
1898, he settled his business affairs,
paid his obligations even to the last
penny, and with tranquil conscience
went to the field. He was one of the
first to engage in battle in 1868 and one
of the first to do the same in 1895. Maso
was the eliminating figure of this rev.
olution. The Constituent Assembly
holding session at Jimaguayu on Sep
tember 19, 1895, elected him to the
Vice-Presidency of the republic At
the last election he was made President
of the Republic of Cuba
DR.. Domingo Mendez Capote, Vice
President of the Republic of Cuba. was
born in Cardenas on May II, 1868
Studied law in that city, obtaining his
degree at the University of Havana
He was appointed to a professorship in
that university, and filed it for six
years, until the revolution broke out
In the exercise of his profession he was
counsel for the Spanish-American Pow
er and Light Company, Runkel, Smith
& Co., Western Railway of Havana
and many other corporations.
In January, 1896, he joined the revo-
luton, and was appointed Governor of
Las Villas, which Office he held for ayear
and during his incumbency he was in
trusted by the Government with the
drafting of the penal and criminal pro-
cedure codes now in force. In March,
1897, he was appointed Chief of the
military judicial corps, and elected
Representative by the fourth army
corps to the Assembly, which elected
him President of the republic
Colonel Ernesto Fonts y Sterling, Sec
retary of the Treasury, was born in Ha-
vana the 9th of September, 1869
While yet a child his parents were ex-
lied to Spain, where he remained until
the year 1876, when he returned to Ha-
vana. He studied at Mount Pleasant,
n. Y, and afterwards devoted himself
to the development of his estate at AL
quizar. On October "a 1895, he Joined
the forces of DR.. Juan Bruno de Zayar,
and subsequently was appointed by the
Government of the republic to the office
of Treasurer of Las Villas, which office
he successfully filed until elected to
the office which he now holds.
Brigadier Jose B. Aleman, Secretary
of War, was born at Villa Clara on
March 26, 1865, and pursued his stud
les in Havana, leaving the practice Of
law to edit the newspaper lei Hori-
zonte," in his native town. He was
prosecuted by the Spanish Government
pressed in his paper, which was sup
pressed, and he was thrown into prison.
He represented his native town in the
Provincial Assembly before the revolu-
ton broke out In July, 1895, he rose
against Spain, and General Rodriguez
offered him the command of the Glen
fuegos brigade, which he declined, ac-
cepting only the duty of raising a reg
f,,1I
plished Afterwards he commanded the
brigades of Villa Clara. Cienfuegos and
Sogua
Appointed Sub-Inspector of the Army
he rendered splendid service on the
Jucaro-Moron Trocha. The General
in-Chief, Maxine Gomez, has styled
him IAN honest and immaculate Gu
ban, a good officer, a man of foresight
and a true patriot" When represent
ing the fourth army corps at the AS
sembly, he was elected to the office of
Secretary of War.
Andres Moreno de la Tore, Secretary
of Foreign Relations, was born at Car
denas February T. 1863. He studied
law at Havana and Madrid. Upon his
return he devoted himself to the culti-
vation of the large estates belonging
to his family in Cardenas and Cienfue-
gos. He joined the revolution in Feb
ruary, 1896, and was made Major by
General Gomez on March u, 1896, and
ordered to Camaguey for re-enforce-
ments.
Was appointed Civil Governor of the
province of Matanzas by the Govern
ment of the republic, and came west
ward with a small contingent and
Joined the General in Chief at La Re-
foma. General Gomez, who ordered him
to organize corps in the Cardenas
Jurisdiction, which he successfully ac-
complished. At the same time he was
appointed Auditor of War for the Ma
tanzas division He was intrusted by
General Lacret with carrying to Cen
eral Gomez in Las Villas the sad news
of the death of Major-General Antonio
Maceo. At the battle of Los Charcos
he was shot through the head, and
while convalescing he was elected to
fill the office of Secretary of Foreign
Relations.
DR.. Manuel Ramon Silva, Secretary
of the Interior, was born in Puerto
Principe September 6, 1868. His father
was one of those who, in 1868, went
with his family to share the hardships
of the revolutionary army in the field,
and was captured with all his family
by the Spaniards and exiled to Santo
Domingo. After the treaty of Tanyon
the family returned to Camaguey, and
Young Silva was sent to pursue his
studies at st. Johns College, Fordham,
n. Y, under the supervision OF Or.
Gregorio de Quesada. Later he stud
led arts in Spain. He graduated as
doctor in medicine in Havana in 1891,