The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-01
GOWN ACCEPTS.
Cuban Autonomist Leader 10 Take
the Portfolio offered Him.

the Portfolio offered Him.
Atlanta, Ga, Dec 31.-Antonio Gown,
The Cuban leader, who has been appointed
secretary of the interior for the new au-
tonomist cabinet, exploded great fake
to-day Since the announcement that he
had been named a member of the new
cabinet, Senor Gown, who has been Wis
iting in Atlanta for several weeks, per-
sistcntly refused TO see any newspaper re-
porters or to express himself in any man
ner in regard 70 his intentions. In spite
of this, however, a sensational article was
printed here this morning and sent broad
cast over the country, stating that the
distinguished Cuban had declined to ac-
cept the post assigned him in the autono-
mist cabinet, Along with this statement
was printed a lengthy interview, or rather
an alleged interview, in which he was
made to express rather rabd views of the
Cuban situation To-day Senor GOWN felt
SO outraged at the unwarranted liberty
taken with him and his views that he
voluntarily gave TO the press signed
statement In which he says he accepts
the position in the Cuban cabinet, and
VIII give his cordial support TO the auton-
omist movement. The fake story about
his declinatiou made it appear that his
refusal to accept would completely disrupt
the present plans for the autonomy OF
Cuba, and naturally it caused good deal
of talk
Here is the account of Senior GOWNS ac-
ceptance of the cabinet position and his
reputation of the fake Interview with
him printed this morning, as ID appears
in the Journal this afternoon
Atlanta, Ga, Dec. 31.-To the Editor of
the Atlanta Journal: Dear Sir--I have the
pleasure to inform you of my acceptance
of the office or a member Of the new
Cuban cabinet. Yours respectfully,
"Antiono GOWN,
"142 South Pryor Street"
This action is of great Importance and
significance. Mr.. Gown was the organizer
of the autonomist party in Cuba, and his
rejection Of the appointment would have
implied a doubt Of the success of autono-
my at this late date. Some of his friends
here thought he would decline the office.
but Mr. Gown is an autonomist to the
end He is loyal to Spain, but believes
in home rule, and undertakes the respon,
sibiity of filing the most important posi-
ton In the new cabinet. When he brought
the above reply Mr. Gown left the fol-
lowing copy of a note addressed to the
Atlanta Constitutions
Atlanta, Ga. Dec. 81. 1870 the Edi-
tor Of the Atlanta Constitution: Dear Sir
Your paper has been misnformed. !
have accepted the office Of a member of
the new Cuban cabinet. The article pub
lished to-day I'm your paper about me has
been certainly suggested by an enemy Of
mine. There is not a word of truth III
the strong expressions ascribed to me. All
that is quite false / have been, | am,
and l win be an autonomist l am not
the great Cuban: 1 am only an honest
man, true TO his country. Please to make
right. Yours respectfully,
Antonio GOWN"
This is intended as a mild rebuke to the
gorgeous fake which appeared in the
morning paper Of this date in the shape
Of an alleged statement by Mr.. Gown to
some one on Wednesday evening. Mr.. Go
win was made TO say on board the steamer
as he left Havana, pointing to the Span
ish flag: Il will never return while that
fag.ties" He was made to iterate and
reilerate statements Incompatible with his
present position The rcinancer
made him say that he would
never return to Cuba in
political character. Mr.. GOWN is especial
" indignant at the statement credited 70
him that he would never return to Cuba
while the Spanish flag was dying. The
Constitution made him say that such an
appointment was an indignlty and state
ments Ike this under quotation marks
were thickly strewn over column Of
space On yesterday a number of report
ers called at Mr.. GOWNS residence, but
failed to see him. Later in the day a
letter was sent him by the managing ed
itor Of the Journal, requesting him, In
view Of the international interest In his
action, to state whether he would accept
or decline the position rendered him by
the Spanish government An interesting
fact in the history OF Mr.. GOWN, some
what parallel 10 Senator David sB. Hill 3
famous declaration, "I am a democrat"
was related this morning by one of the
Cuban residents Of Atlanta, who is identi-
fed with the reVolutioniSt party. when
Mr.. Gown passed through Tampa" said
he, "a committee of Cubans called on him
10 ascertain his position. He was a man
of commanding position in Cu1a and his
influence would add great weight to that
side The committee said to him: Mr.
GOWN how Is II you have come to tho
United States? Are you with us, or are
you for Spain? This Is a free country;
speak to US freely
"To this he replied; Gentlemen, all I
can say to you is that | am a Cuban
and a Cuban / expect to remain,
"a committee Of Cubans called on him
since he became a resident Of Atlanta, and
asked him the same question. To them
he gave the same reply: 4 am Cuban "
Antonio Gown Is a native Of cuba about
80 years OF age. He is a lawyer by profess
sion and one of the most eminent in the
bar Of that country. He is man of
means ard culture, and is said TO be one
of the most learned men Of the island.
Eighteen years ago he organized the Gu
ban autonomist party or which he wa 8
secretary. That was soon after the close
OF the ten years war, when Martinez
Campos had promised autonomy I'm behalf
OF Spain. Since then he has been a con-
sisient autonomist, and has written much
for the editorial columns Of La Pals (The
Country which is the leading autonomist
newspaper In Cuba. Nine months ago, he
came to the United States and made At
lanta his place OF residence. lie has lived
here so quietly and unOstentatiously THAI
few outside of the Cuban colony In At
lanta knew Of his presence in the city.