Evening star., 1898-11-05
President Maso Issues an Address to
the American People.
His VIEW OF THE ISLANDS FUTURE
Believes That Annexation VIII
Come in Due Time.
THE NEW CONSTITUTION
Written for The Evening star.

In order that the real attitude of the pro-
yisional government of Cuba might be thor
oughIy understood upon the question OF
annexation or independence, President Bar
tolomeo Maso has intrusted to Mr.. George
Reno. special envoy between the govern
ment of Cuba and the government at
Washington. an address to the people of
America. in which are clearly laid down the
views of himself and his cabinet upon those
topics which most vitally concern the fu-
ture Of the island 1t Is the first and only
address of General Maso to the citizens of
the United States, and as such 1t Is CT great
interest and Importance. 1t has not hither-
to been published. President Maso wrote
it at the government headquarters in La
Esperanza, September rs II was
brought at once to America by Mr.. Reno.
The following is a close translation of the
original text. made by Mr.. Reno himself.
Standing in that unenviable position, at
the head of an unrecognized republic. 1
find myself encompassed by grave difficult
ties and burdened with responsibilities
which a feeling of solemn duty alone en-
ables me to support. l have the counsel
of brave, intelligent men, but we all
in political darkness We have hardly
dared to take step, lest it conflict with
the plans of the great and generous nation
which has so unselfshly made our free
dom possible.
Not long before the signing of the pro-
tocOl General Emilio March, civil and mill
tary governor of Puerto Principe. sent a
military commission to us urging that per-
mission be given for his forces numbering
1000 men, together with the troops of HoI-
gu!n under General Luque to march across
the province of Camaguey to the railroad
station at Placetas from which point they
Were to take the railroad and Join General
BlanCO III Havana. Permission to move
PcrOSs our territory unmolested by Cuban
troops was asked. in consideration of which
the cities of Holguin and Puerto Principe
were TO be evacuated and turned over t.
us, the latter city to be used as the seat of
the provisional government. Owing to our
inability to communicate with the American
forces to ascertain from the Secretary
of War in Washington whether such action
on our part wDulG be in harmony with the
plans of the War Department. we were
compelled to refuse this permission. not
WfthStandlng our desire TO occupy the city
of Puerto Principe for government pur-
poses From the moment that America
took the first step towar'l making the lib
erty of this island possible we have done
all in our power To restrain those elements
which betrayed disposition to place oh
staCieS in the way of the military leaders
of the United States. and to kee., in har-
many with the purpose of her adnlinistra-
ton
Need OF Public Funds.
Problems social political and economical
press upon US from all sides The starving
cry for food. the naked beg for clothes. the
homeless Look for shelter the sick and suf-
feri7S plead for medicine and for succor:
all look to US for counse! and advice.
Without funds. We are at present unable
10 relieve suffering. as all revenues from
customs and port duties are collected and
held by officials either Of Spain or the
United States. or the latter We make no
complaint, because We believe that in the
end a jus; aCcovnt viii be rendered to US
In a document issued by the American au-
th"rltECs at Santiago it is stated that the
revenues collected At the different Cuban
r4L ..vtr- ,I r,f
states VIII be used for the maintenance Of
fha army Of occupation and for the paw
ment Of those municipal officials who will
hold Office until the evacuation of the Span
tarIs.
Troops Not Needed.
The Spaniards. we are told are TO go by
December l. or soon after. Then is to
come an American army of occupation
some saying that it is to be 5OGpO strong.
II 5 but natural that We should ask, Why
is this great army sent to Cuba? When
the Spaniards are gone who is it going TO
hght2 Surely not the Cubans Such a
thought would be mpnstrOus You have
encouraged Us. you have freed us, you have
led US You Will continue t. advise, TO
guide and protect US. We need your eng1-
neers. your miners and mechanics yo1r
school teachers. your settlers and your can
1talists- When the Spanish forces evacuate
Cuba there VIII be no more use for soldiers
here than there will be in the state of New
York
God knows the United States troops are
welcome Americans, armed or unarmed,
are our friends. and consequently they
are welcome To stay with US as long as
they choose. Our home is theirs. But at
present ii is 50 demolished that 1t is diff
cult for US TO entertain our guests as we
would like Our own troops are more than
anxious to diShdnd and attend to long
neglected fields The moment we can give
10 each man a certificate of Indebtedness
stating the amount due him for his services
in the cause Of liberty every Cuban soldier
on the island Will gladly exchange the rifle
for a hoe and 20 TO work II will require
no argument, no persuasion. We have had
quite enough Of war. We want now the
wealth and prosperity that come with
peace 1t is our desire to pay the Cuban
army for its services as soon as possible
not because liberty is not a sufficient re-
ward, but because the majority of our men
Will be compelled To return to homes that
have been burned to fields that have run
Ia weeds, to families that are not only suf-
fering for food, but absolutely destitute
of clothes with which to cover their naked
ness The discharged soldier Of Cuba has
nothing with which to start life tut hope.
To-day we can give him nothing but thanks
and promise. Ii is our desire to give him
al least some seed and d few tools with
which TO till the ground.
The Spaniard. soldier or civilian, who
chooses 10 make his home in Cuba is as
welcome as any one else. and if he sees fit
TO reuounCe his allegiance the mother
country and take the oath of fealty to
cuba he Will nave voice and a vote in the
government: Of the island. This rule will
al ply to all foreigners, and is in accordance
with the principles Of true democracy 1t is
the purpose OF the next assembly at Santa
Cruz either to reinstate the present govern
n1Snt or elect a new provisional government
which will have the power to determine
" no may or may not have the power to
vote, and TO call for a general election in
which all persons SO entitled shall be given
an opportunity to vote without fear, prcju.
dice or restraint. The result of this eIec-
ton VIII be the formation of a stable and
satisfactory government for the Island of
Cuba. TO which the United States is pledged
Constitution to lie Adopted.
The constitution that will be adopted by
tie assemb.5 will be- as is the one now II
force along the same lines as that OF the
United States. Our comparatively small
population. together with the limited area
OF the island. will naturally make some de-
paFtures q matter of necessity. To avoid
the disturbance TO social and commercial
life which is liable TO take place through