The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-03-29
GENERALS Hired MEN
Arrive in Washington on a
BootIess ErraHd.
WILL NOT BE RECOGNIZED
If Noticed at All, To be Re-
ferred Back to Brooke.

washington, Morch 2S.-Senors Jose r.
ViIalon and A. Hevia, who were appoint
| ed by the Cuban assembly to present to
the Washington authorities the resolutions
Of that body, have arrived in the city.
Their mission, in addition to the presen-
| tation of the resolutions, is to explain in
detail the situation with reference to the
insurgent army. While the assembly did
not reject the $4,000, 600 which General Co
lnez arranged with Mr.. Robert P. Porter
to receive and pay off the Cuban troops,
they believed it to be entirely inadequate
to meet tn situation. They desire at least
SO, 0O0 900 and as much more as can be
obtained. They argue that If the Cuban
army is disbanded after the distribution
of but s3,0OO0oO, which would give each
enlisted man about s6S, that the money
so obtained would be abrely sufficient for
them to procure clothes and return to
their homes, leaving them no margin upon
which to enter upon the peaceful pursuits
Of life. Without the means of subsistence,
Senior Villalon says, disorder would al
most inevitably follow, and perhaps bri-
gandage. The object both Of the United
States and of the assembly, says Senior
ViIaIon, is to secure tranquility in Cuba
preparatory to the setting up by the Gu
ban people of an independent government
and he says that 1t is therefore as much
TO the interests Of the United States au-
thorities as to those who Immediately
represent the Cuban army, to see that
the disbanded soldiers are given an oppor-
tunity to return to civil pursuits. The as
sembIy represents, not the Cuban people,
Mr.. Villalon declares, but only those who
have been in arms struggling for their in
dependence. Had Cuba achieved her alb
solute independence, he says, the revolu-
tionary assembly would have raised suffi-
cient funds to pay off the army in full,
and inasmuch as the United States now
assumes and exercises the functions of a
trustee for the Cuban people during the
re-establShment of order throughout the
island preparatory to the establishment
of a stable and independent government,
he, as the representative Of the assembly,
will urge that it is the duty of the United
States to furnish ample funds, repayable
subsequently out of the Cuabn revenues.
They desire that the Washington authori-
ties shall fully understand the dangers
which may follow if the insurgents are
disbanded and sent to their homes with
out adequate means to begin life afresh
If the United States adheres to the pres
ent understanding with General Gomez
and the army is disbanded upon the
So, 100000 basis, and disorder follows, the
assembly wants its skirts clear of respon-
sibility.
Senior Villalon says that the assembly
desires the most amicable relations with
the United States; that nothing couold ex-
coed the gratitude of the Cubans for the
aid the United States has rendered, but
they cannot too strongly emphasize the
belief that the problem of the future
would be greatly simplified if enough
funds are distributed among the Cuban
soldiers now to insure their ching able to
return to the peaceful pursuits of life.
Use assembly viii, 5ezor Villalon says,
probably be dissolved as soon as the army
is disbanded. as it represents only the Gu
bans in arms. He believes that within a
year a convention representing the whole
Cuban people will meet and form consti-
tuition and be ready for the assumption
of the duties of self-government
Senior Villalon and his colleague will
probably seek an audience with the presi-
dent himself, and If this is denied then
they Will see the secretary of war. If the |
president receives these gentlemen it will
be as visiting citizens not in their repre- |
sentative capacity. No such recognition |
will be accorded them. If they desire to |
present petition or request to this gov !
eminent it will have to go through the |
ordinary channels and in this instance it /
will be through the military arm Of the |
government Such petition when pre- /
scented would be referred 10 General |
Brooke as military governor Of Cuba. |
and the one person authorized to deal !
with Cuban affairs. 1t is also probable /
that these Cubans will be told that any
answer TO the request or petition will /
come from General Brooke.