Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-08-08
PRES. mAss0
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| preston as a dernier resort to avoie
absolute slavery, If not annihilation
Once the Spanish people leave this soil
| il will be most serious occasion in,
( deed that could bring about an armed
resistance
."rhe vast majority Of the popula-
ton of Cuba are agriculturalists. ant
| sire to hold office. To be left alone t.
| the cultivation of the soil and the en-
| joyment of their home life is all they
| ask.
9TH Sc people comprise -eighths
of our population. OF the remainder.
our leaders. political and military,
many were educated in the United
States.
There they have imbibed the spirit
Of liberty and learned the meaning Of a
true Republican form of government.
In their knowledge. ability and integ-
rity we place our trust, and under the
guidance and protection of the United
states | can see for Cuba a future Of
brightness.
ut is true that the temper Of our peo-
pie Is peculiarly sensitive, with ten
dcncy to distrust toward all who at
tempt to rule or govern. This is but
the natural result Of our long period
: OF subjecti0n ana oppression AT the
hands of Spain. But 1t is equally true
that our people are responsive and
eager to grasp the hand of friendship.
This has been extended TO us by the
United States in a most generous and
sclf-sacrilcinG manner and no true
Cuban viii ever forget It.
But of public schools in Cuba. we
have had none. and our public press
has been but the mouthpiece Of the
monarchy. and in consequence Of
large percentage of our populacc -
completely ignorant. ana has a ten
dcncy to distrust any effort to govern
them by a foreign power.
For this reason. II for no other, the
establishment Of any form % govern
mcut should be done with the utmost
frankncss on both sides and clear ur-
aerstanding Of the relations that are %
be established between the government
ana the people governed. If the right
men are chosen to govern the task will
be easy; tine people viii govern them
selves II through misinformation the
wrong men ara secured for Office the
problem Of reconstruction may he en-
numbered with more than one diff
Guilty,
If this possible political friction can
hc avoided, through a jusiteious selec-
ton Of the first rulers the path Of those
20 follow will he smooth enough. 1t is
through my long service and intimate
acquaintances with the strength ana
the Weaknesses Of my people that
hope to he able to point cat to the aI-
min.stration Of the United States the
stumbling blocks to he avoided. ana %
be OF material assistance in bringing
about happy and satisfactory solu-
;ion Of the problem Of reconstruction
IN the island Of Cuba
To further this end and to benefit
my country, am willing to make auy
sacrifice
Our first step. with the approval Of
the United States government. Will he
20 call new Assembly, which Will rep
resent as far as possible every section
of territory and condition of people
This Assembly Will elect a new Pro-
vsional government ana Will posses.
more powers than the present on,
which is of necessity a government of
the revolution.
The result of the new Assembly will
be Ia form government which will
still lac limited in power. and who's
most important work viii be the estab-
llshment Of a permanent and complete
government, founded on tn" lines '.c
that of the United States, and ON
which we hope. ana have every reason
to believe. will he satisfactory both to
the United States and Cuba"