The herald., 1898-08-14
HAPPY CUBANS
ANXIOUS TO AID THE GOVERN
MENT IN EVERY WAY
Will Try to Prove Their Ability to
Govern Themselves to the Presi-
dents Satisfaction

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13.-Senor Palma,
the head of the Cuban Junta, has sent the
following cable by way of Santiago.
"Bartolomo Masso, President Cuban Re
public Santiago, Cuba. l have this 18th
day of August, 1898, accepted in the name of
the Cuban provisional government. the
armistlce proclaimed by the United States.
You should give immediate orders to the
army throughout Cuba, suspending all
hostilities. Preliminary terms of peace
signed by representatives of Spain and
the United States provide that Spain will
relnquish all claim over any title toCuba."
Assistant Secretary of War Meiklejohn
has had a conference with Tomas Es-
trada Palma, representative of the repub-
lie of Cuba In this country. at which the
signing of the protocol and the Presidents
proclamation of a cessation of hostilities
were discussed. Mr.. Palma stated to AS
misunderstanding Meiklejohn that he ac
cepted In the name of the Cuban provision
al government the armistice proclaimed by
the United States and had so cabled Presi-
dent Bartolomo Nasso of the Cuban re-
public at Santiago, Cuba. He had also
advised President Masso to give immediate
pending all hosttities, stating to him that
preliminary terms of peace, signed by
representatives of Spain and the United
States provide that Spain will reltnquish
claim over the title to Cuba"
In further reply to inquiries as to mat
tiers discussed by Mr.. Palma and himself,
Assistant-Secretary Meiklejohn made the
following statement:
Pending giving notice of armisf.ce
through the official channels, Mr.. Palma
desires our government to afford MIN
means by fast sailing vessels and other
wise to communicate with the Cuban
forces in different portions of the island
notifying them of the peace proposals and
requesting suspension of hostilities. He
greatly desires the active assistance OF
our government in sending food supplies TO
the Cuban forces in the field and their fam
lies as he is without ship for this purpose.
They desire to cooperate In every respect
and assist in any and every way In pro-
noting the peace plans of OF: govern
ment, and have undoubted confidence in
the good intentions of the government of
the United States, and in the salts actory
outcome of the struggle for the independ-
ence of Cuba, which Is now assured. He Is
especially anxious that the American gov
eminent should Immediately secure the
release of the political prisoners in Spanish
prisons.
| NEW YORK, Aug. 3.-The Times this
| morning prints the following: General
| Thomas Palma. delegate at large of the
Cuban republic. talking of the peace pro-
| tocol and the steps that would be taken by
| the Cuban government, said:
1.-THE first thing to be done by the Cuban
patriots in America after the blockade has
| been raised will be to send relief to the
surviving Cubans In the field. Money
that would otherwise have been spent in
| purchasing guns and ammunition will be
spent In food and clothing for the Cuban
soldiers and their families. This relief will
be sent Immediately with the consent of the
American government.
Another thing that will be looked after
will be to try and secure the release Of
those Cubans who have been deported
| from Cuba and sent to Spanish penal set
| Elements. 1 shall urge that the Washing
| ton authorities secure the release of these
prisoners.
| "As far as the government of Cuba Is
| concerned, the leading men of that govern
ment, from President Masso down, have
| the United States government went to war;
not for the acquisition of Cuba. but to free
| the island for the Cubans 1t may be that
| in years to come the Cubans may of their
own volition request this country to an
mex Cuba, but that is not for the present.
Whether the present government of Cuba
will be recognized now is no matter. The
Cubans do not wish to embarrass the
I,tD rA Inx, ,t,k
that which Is done is for the best.
ut may take several months for the
Spanish government to remove Its soldiers
from the island. After the Spanish soldiers
have gone away there will be left only
about 1900 Spaniards. Many of these
Nigh. renounce allegiance to the Spanish
government. But, assuming that there
should remain 100000 Spanish, that is a
small number in comparison with the
LOO 900 native Cubans. While the Spanish
troops are being removed, think that the
United States government would be wise
| in consulting unof1icially the wishes of the
large native population.
1.-THE American provisional government
which will no doubt be of military char
acter, can do much toward Strengthening
the feeling which the native Cubans al
| ready feel for the United States for hav-
ing freed them from the Spanish yoke.
In what way the United States should try
to get the opinion of the people Of Cuba,
| whether by popular election or otherwise,
Is one of the problems which it will have
to solve. But no matter in what way the
American government goes about 1t, 1t will
always find the native Cubans, not only
| willing, but anxious to help the Americans
in the solution of the problems"