The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-03-14
Issues an Address on the Ac-
tion of the Assembly.
GLAD TO BE FREE FROM BURDEN
Says that He Il Thankful for the Oppor-
Iunity Thus Given Him to Return TO His
Abandoned Home, aud that the Cubans
Can Always Depend Upon Him as a
Friend-Many Popular Demonstrations
Are Being Made in His Favor.


meZ has issued the following statement
10 the Cuban people and army:
BY the use of the supreme faculties
with which il is endowed. the Assembly
representing the army only. has deposed
me as COmmander-in-Chief Of the Cuban
army, which grade it conferred upon me
during the late war. AS Commander-in-
chief / always followed the dictates Of
my best conscience and the call OF great
national needs. / endeayored In all cir
cumstances 10 fulfill my duty.
The Assembly considers the fact that
| do not aid il in efforts to raise loans
which later would compromise the great
est financial and political interests of
Cuba 10 be an act of insubordinatlon ard
Of want OF respect The primary cause
for the action taken against NE is my
conviction that Cuba should begin the eX-
ercise OF its own sovereignty as a re-
public OF union and concord. proclaimed
at Monte Cristo and sustained unimpaired
on the field Of battle. free frorn all com
promise, keeping the nations honor spot
less
As for the rest. as a sincere man.
confess / thank them because they re-
heVe me OF great political obligations, and
also leave me free to return TO my aban-
doned home. which, during thirty years
of continual strife for the good c. this
country that love so much. has been ny
one aspiration. Foreigner as / am. / did
not come 10 serve this country by help
ing II TO defend its just cause as a mer-
cehary soldier; and. consequently, since
Ihe oppressive power of Spain has with
draWn from this land and left Cuba in
freedom, l had sheathed my sword, think
hFatG GIeI .,
voluntarily imposed upon myself. I am
owed nothing L retire contented and SAT-
lsiled at having done ali | could for the
benefit Of my brothers. Wherever destiny
rules that make by home. there can The
CuDans depend upon a friend"
Discussing the Eff, CT.
Gov Gen. Brooke was notified last night
OF the deposition of Gomez, and when
seen this morning he was much interested
10 learn the details Of the Assembly's pro-
ceedings. He said he could not express an
opinion as to the effect of the Assemblv's
action upon the future relations between
Gen Gomez and the United States. partic-
ularly In the matter Of disbursing the
S,wOVO offered by Washington TO the Gu
ban troops as a condition of disband-
ment, but the impression seems to be
among the American authorities that, as
the Assembly has mever been officially
recognized by the United States govern
ment. its action, so far as Washington is
concerned, Will not amount TO more than
the resolutions OF any other body of in
dividuals.
The Assembly is being strongly censured
by Cubans on all sides, and there were
popular demonstrations this afternoon in
favor of the depOsed cOmmander-in-chief,
the crowds shouting Long live Gomez
and Death to the Assembly"
Gen. Gomez during the day received nu-
merous visitors, all OF whom assured him
OF their affection and loyalty, and that
the declarations by the Assembly, on
whatever subject, could not represent even
the army, as the elections which gave its
members their present positions are really
yoidable for illegality and political job
berry. There is no doubt that a majority
of the people support him as against the
Assembly. The local press will probably
attack the Assembly, urging its dissolu-
ton as the best thing that can happen,
and insisting that there is no reason why
the United States authorities may not
continue to treat with Gen. Gomez in the
matter Of the payment of the troops.
PayrolIs Complete.
Il is said on good authority that the
pay rolls Gomez is preparing TO hand Gen
Brooke are most complete, full and fair
and that when the army learns he can
aid the troops in procuring S3,OO0,001
whereas it is problematical whether the
Assembly can obtain anything, there is
little doubt as TO the side the army will
take in the controversy. The troops are
tired Of the field and insufficient food, and
the indications are that they would read
lily disband on receipt of the S3000,0G0 un-
10 Inv Acc
ises OF a larger payment in the event OF
refusing to disband.
Gen. Gomez enjoys the full confidence
of the American military authorities, and.
although he says he is glad of his new
found liberty, since il will enable him to
return home, it is not believed that he
VIII leave Cuba at present. He has al
ways insisted that an active share in dis
trbuting the money would fall 10 him and
there seems no good reason why he can
not continue to act as Gen. Bro0kes ad-
wiser and helDer
Result of Personal Spite.
The question of his successor as CON-
mander-in-chief has not yet been consid-
cred, but Gen. Mayia Rodriguez is TIE
next in command. No doubt Gen. Co
meZ technically exceeded his authority ia
acting independently of the Assembly.
His course was certainly calculated to
arouse Jealousy in that body. But il is
becoming more and more apparent that
the Assembly's action was largely the re-
suit Of personal spite ana a desire To
aVense sights. II is we'll known that
there has long been trouble between Gen.
Gomez and certain members.
The patriotic clubs have decided to abOl-
ish the Junta ParriOtica. the members OF
which are elected by them. and to estab-
hSh = patriotic league in its place, Gen
Gomez, II is said. will be asked to accept
the Presidency of the new organization.
William Willard Howard general man
a2er of the Cuban Industrial Relief Fund
which has Just established its first station
at Guines the market garden of Havana.
has presented his credentials TO Gov. Gen.
Brooke.
approved Howard's Scheme.
Now, that is just what the island
needs" said Gen. Brooke. THE farmers
must be provided with oxen. agricultural
implements. and seeds. and helped 10
farms where they can support themselves,
thus making unnecessary this distribution
Of ratiens"
Gen Brooke promised that the fund
should receive all the assistance il was in
Els power 10 give, and he gave MIR How
ard the following statement in writing.
Il have no hesitation IN saying that the
purpose Of the Cuban Industrial Relief
Fund is one which should meet with sue