The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-04
EXCEEDED HIS AUTHORITY.
Gomez Has Not the Power to Disband
the Cuban Army.

Havana, Feb. 3.--Among the Cuban
leaders who have given expression to
their views on the subject, it is assert
ed that General Gomez was not au-
thorized to guarantee the disbandment
of the army without consulting the
Cuban assembly and obtaining it's per-
mission. Indeed when the report ar
rived that General Gomez had accepted
Mr.. Porter's proposition on behalf of
the president, many doubted it, refus
ing to believe that he would act in this
fashion. prominent Cuban said to-
day:
IF the news is true the Cuban as
sembly Will have grounds for proceed
ing against General Gomez. The idea
of $3,000,000 as a gift from the United
States to the Cuban soldiers is repug
nant and wounds the pride of Cubans."
General Mayia Rodriguez, commander
of the Cuban forces in the provinces of
Pinar del Rio, Havana, Matanzas and
Santa Clara. and second in command
in the Cuban army, said:
Il cannot think that General Gomez
would take this resolution regarding the
matter of such transcendental impor-
tance as the payment and disbandment
of the Cuban army without consulting
the Cuban generals. General Gomez
does not hold the power to disband the
army without the authorization of the
Cuban assembly, and until after con-
sultation with generals"
Generals Leyte. Vidal and PerraZa
concur in the views of General Rod
riguez. General Lacret said:
Il think Mr.. Porter must have as
sured General Gomez most convincing
ly of our approaching independence
before he would have been willing to
express himself as is reported. At the
proper time General Gomez will ex-
press his ideas to the people of Cuba
General Mario Menocal, formerly Gu
ban commander in Havana, and now
chief of police in Havana city, said:
Il doubt the truth of the statement
attributed to General Gomez. If it is
true l can simply say that General
Gomez is not authorized to solve this
problem unaided. The Cuban army
does not ask and cannot accept charity
from the American government The
country has asked loan to facilitate
the payment of money rightfully due
the army
All the generals interviewed We're in
clined to be guarded in their statements
pending the receipt of word from Cen
eral Gomez, which, up to $50
O'Clock this evening. was not at hand.
Still the general feeling in Cuban mill
tary circles is that the commander-in-
chief will have an explanation upon his
arrival here of his conduct, which to
sible.
Senior Portuondo, president of the
executive committee of the Cuban as
sembly, which acts for the assembly
when the latter is not in session, as is
now the case, said: General Gomez is
only commander-in-chief of the army
AS such he is under the direction of
the assembly which alone represents
the army. The assembly is empowered
to direct the army as to it's line of con-
duct
While there promises to be trouble
with the assembly, some declare that
Gomez will be able to sway the deputies
to his will and to secure the disband-
ment of the army. 1t is significant
however, that the Cubans who have al
ready been engaged as members of the
Havana police force had to deposit their
arms and ammunition with the officer
commanding the regiment to which they
had belonged. inform him as to their
new residence and give pledge to re-
turn to the army when called upon to
by the Cuban assembly.