The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-09-15
ELABORATE MANIFESTO
ISSUED BY THE PROVISIONAL GOVERN
MENT OF CUBA.
A Government Which The United States Never
Opposed, and Which Now Calls for
Official Cuban Representation.

Santiago de Cuba, Sept. 14.-The
council of the so-called Provisional Coy
eminent of the Republic of Cuba, repre-
scented by Senior Bartol0me Masso,
President; Senior Mendez CapOte, Vice
President, and Senior Font, Senior Al
men, and Senior Moreno de La Torrc,
Secretaries, met at Santa Cruz on Sep
TENDER 4st and formulated a manifesto
to the Cuban people, with an order TO
the military commanders of the Cuban
army, both of which have been prOmul-
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
people have fought for their liberty. It
proceeds in part, as follows:
Though the principal object of our
revolution has been obtained, that is, the
destruction of Spanish DONNA ton, the
work of this council is not yet at an end,
for the Cuban republic-the ideal for
which we have fought-has not yet been
constituted.
I'VE always felt confident that through
our own perseverance we would, in the
long run, destroy Spanish domination;
but we must acknowledge that an in
definite prolongation of the struggle
would have annihilated the little that
was left of our wealth and population.
The entrance upon the field of II power
full and decisive factor upon which we
have always relied and toward which
the hearts of all Cubans have always
turned, has put an end to the horrors of
war, to the benefit of all concerned.
This prompt solution we could never
have obtained 1t is proper to ac>
knowledge the evident truth That IS
the best title the United States has
to our gratitude.
I'VE are grateful. AS we begin now
our national life. we more than any
other people, must be jealous of our ma
tional honor. 1t is, therefore. the duty
of this council to explain to the people
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 IA long struggle, the
United States Congress recognized the
right Of the people Of Cuba to be free
and independent and ordered the Span
ish forces to withdraw from the island.
no Cuban Government was recognized:
but the one we had constituted. though
not recognized, was not opposed, and
has not been opposed, nor has it been
considered an ilegitimate authority
which events have dissolved or destroy
ed for the good of the people of Cuba.
''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 gov
eminent that would shape the destines
of the island.
THE people of the United States have
all along appreciated the fact that the
majority of the people of Cuba is in
agreement with our principles; for the
motto of the United States Government
has been the same as our oWn-absoute
independence for Cuba. Under these
conditions, the Americans could not
take a hostile attitude toward us nor
consider our authority illegitimate and
harmful to the welfare of the Cuban
people.
These considerations have convinced
us that we should not dissolve, and that
the power we have received from an
assembly elected by the people under
arms should not vanish. We have, there
fore, decided to call together another
assembly which will determine our fu-
ture course"
In conclusion the manifesto gives
number Of reasons why the proposed as
sembly should be convened and some
government or another chosen, mot
with the character of Il government as
yet but as an official representation Of
those Cubaps VINO fought against Spain,
and of those who, in the cities Under
Spain'S control and in foreign countries
have helped and supported them"