Evening star., 1898-12-01
CUBA'S COMMISSION
Purposes of Its Visit to the Capital Of
the Nation.
WHAT IT HOPES TO ACCOMPLISH
The Disarmament and Remunera-
ton of the Troops.
GEN. GARCIA'S VIEW S

| The commission representing the assem-
bly, of Cuba, a body which stands in the
! same relation to the people of the island
| as the Continental Congress did to the
| patriots of the American revolution, ar
| rived in Washington last night from New
| York. The party comprised Gen. Calixto
| Garcia, Gen. Jose Miguel Gomez, Col Man
! uel Sanguilly, Jose Antonio Gonzalez Lanu-
| Ia and Jose R. Villalon, members of the
| commission; Horatio S. Rubens, counselor
| of the commission; Capt. Richard kohly,
| an aid and a colored Cuban attendant. At
| the depot the trave.ers were greeted by
| Gonzalo de Quesada and Ricardo Diaz AL
| bertini of the Cuban legation here, and
| Senor Casanova, a member OF the Cuban
assembly, now In Washington. warm
! welcome awaited the Cubans at the
| Raleigh, where they quartered, and up
| on their arrival they were introduced to and
refreshed by glasses of the concoction
known as the Cuba libre cocktail.
! This liquid was served in frosted glasses
decorated with small American and Cuban
! flags, with Sprig of mint between them.
| The visitors warmly greeted Sonora Quesa-
| da and her interesting little daughter, who is
| already regarded the daughter of the re-
public, and held quite a levee in the par
| lors the second floor, overlooking Penn
| sylvania avenue, which were assigned to
| them. Newspaper men were thick as the
| leaves of Vallambrosa, and an amiable re-
ceptiOn accorded all who came. Cen
erals Garcia and Gomez and Senor l1anuZa
| and Captain Kohly were suffering from Sc
| we're colds contracted in New York, and the
entire party retired early.
Men of Standing.
| The members Of the commission are men
of distinguished appearance. Garcia, tall
! and commanding, is not master of En-
| glish to even a conversational extent, and
| the same is true Of General Gomez.
The latter has strong face, accented by
a coa-black mustache and under-lip tuft,
| and is most amiable in disposition, as most
great fighters usually are. AS has been
said in The Star, he has participated in
many battles, although he is in no way re-
lated TO the great Gomez.
All the Cubans were early astir this
morning, and one of the earliest callers
| upon them was Senator Mason of Illinois.
He received cordial welcome.
Purposes of the Commission.
The members of the commission are nat
uralIy very anxious to discover just what
| the real sentiment of the American people
| is toward the Cubans and the future of
| their island. They are fully and regret
fully aware of the many misrepresentation
| that have been made regarding these inn
portant subjects They are aware that a
SOOu many ptCplt III tuDd itSdiu illS
administration as opposed to the real pa
| triots and their aims and purposes, and it
was mainly to dispel this fallacious impress
sion, If possible, that the commission was
sent to this country to state actual condi-
tions in Cuba and the precise situation there
| to the administration, and to ascertain, if
possible, the policy to be pursued by the
United States toward the island.
AT the same time such suggestions will
| be made by the commission as will tend to
| avoid all possible dangers of friction in the
| future between the Americans and the
| Cubans in the final settlement of the ques-
| tions. Maintaining as the Cubans do, that
the object OF the United States ex-
pressed In the resolutions Cf Congress, was
| to establish stable and Independent gov
| ernment in Cuba and permanent peace,
| they claim that these were the same OBJ
| jects for which they fought
Similar Conditions.
AS to the question Of the disarmament Of
| troops, a similar problem is presented to
| that the Congress of the United States nad
! to consider in 1913. 1t will be reme embered
| by close students of history that the Amer
| lean troops refused to disband without pay,
| and sent several memorials and committees
| to Congress, in which they protested
against the injustice of discriminating
against the very individuals who had Won
| independence for their country.
To cast 10000 men the community
without resources of any kind, which would
| result from the Immediate disbandment of
the Cuban army, and run the consequent
| risks of the acts of individuals driven by
| their necessities to desperation. is a reSpon-
sihilty which the Cubans have been loath
| to assume without consulting the United
| States. 1t is suggested that if only a small
| part of the pay due the Cuban troops could
| be provided for, just sufficient to enable
| the men to return to their peaceful pur-
| suits, leaving the remainder for future set
| tlement, every Cuban soldier would have
/; q
peace and the establishment Of that gov
ernment to which they would look for a
settlement of their dues.
Gen. Garcia on the Flag.
| Gen. Garcia, in conversation with Star
reporter today, in reply to question
whether the occupation of Cuba by the
American army would cause any friction,
| said the Cubans had no objection whatever
! to such occupancy.
THE Cubans have complete faith in the
United States and its promises said Cen
| eral Garcia. THE American flag in Cuba
| is all that is necessary to preserve peace. If
large army of occupancy is designed to
keep the Cubans quiet it will be unneces-
! sary, assure you. The Cubans are entirely
satisfied with the American flag and all
the promise that its stars and stripes mean
| to them
Senior Quesada, charge d'affairs of the
! Cuban legation in this city, called at the
White House today to arrange for a visit
of Gen. Garcia and the distinguished party
| here with him. The President was busy
| and Senior Quesada did not remain. As the
President will probably desire a long talk
with Gen. Garcia it is probable that the
call will be deferred until some time next
| week, after the message has gone TO Con-
gress
AT WORK On DISTRICT BILL.