The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-05-19
Advises Cubans to Give
Up Arms.
Pledges Himself to an Indepen-
dent Government.

Havana, May 1s.-The expected mani
festo OF General Gomez was issued this
| evening. 1t reviews his part In the nego-
tiations with Governor General Brooke
and speaks of his love for Cuba and his
sufferings on her behalf In the past. Gen.
Gomez says:
"The hour has now arrived for me to
raise my voice in justification OF my
potitionIand to deoribe the arduous work
have done since my first visit to General
Brooke. / protested to him against the
sum offered by the United States as in
sufficient to accomplish the good in
teuded. While waiting an answer to my
protest sought a solution of the ques-
tion. General Brooke representing the
Chief Magistrate of the United States
announced his inability to add to the
sum already settled upon.
"Speculators then attempted to inter-
vene, Offering suggestions which were re-
fused oy me. They presented PROPOSE
tion to the military assembly but the
scheme WAS frustrated by President Nc
Kinley's refusal to recognize that body.
81 deemed the form alton Of militia a
practicable solution and General Brooke.
who approved the idea, asked me for
summary of my views on the subject.
To this replied that ten thousand men
were all 1t would be possible to get from
the former Cut an army without distinc-
tion as to race. My answer was sent to
President Mckinley together with a per-
sonal letter giving explicit reasons why
such q corps was necessary.
II had many conferences with General
Brooke in my endeavors 10 discover such
plan of payment as would not exclude
the men who had never carrisd arms.
General Brooke insisted upon the sur
render of arms before the receipt of pay
ment, and also desired that such arms
as had already been surrendered and such
as should be surrendered hereafter might
be delivered to warehouses in the care Of
Cuban armorers, to be paid out of the
Cuban treasury do not think 1t dis
grace that the Cuban soldiers should
receive, from a government which is able
to pay, sums that will relieve their i'm
mediate needs. Special certificates will
be given to all, redeemable by the Cuban
repu blic SO soon as it is established.
AZ am convinced that it Is compatible
with obtaining peace to have an army,
with arms reserved TO defend Cuba
against her enemies, and in the mean
time to be guarded as the relics of a glori-
Gus struggle.
"In my Judgment, whether the arms
were disposed Of to the municipalities or
to armorers, 1t would be all the same
under the intervening government The
to agree with General Brooke, and the
Americans declined to tx dates and
places where the Cubans:: oldierysc scould
deliver up arms and receive payment
from the American paymasters after
Identification by their respective chiefs -
After further praise Of "Gen. Brooke's
consideration" and declaration of his
own desire to correct an error existing In
Cuba with respect TO the United States,
he goes on to say:
II did nos act alone as seems to be
popularity believed but always consulted
with our officers. My advice to you now
is to return to your homes with the
amounts offered by the intervening gov
eminent ana to practice patience, which
Will be an additional proof of your hero
ism. In this way We shall reconstruct
most rapidly the homes consecrated by
the blood of martyrs. blood poured out in
behalf of purpose now attained and
thus begin this cycle of liberty, with the
grandest prospects. preceded by the her
aids of future prosperity and peace.
This work is your portion. Let no
pretext interfere with the attainment of
the independent government for which
three generations of Cubans have strug-
gled with all sacrifice. and which Is now
promised by a noble nation, pledged to
obtain for US, our rights.
Meanwhile, l shall remain where l
am generously invited, among the
Cubans. shall work without cessation
for our aspirations in narrow sphere
assigned me If Decessary. And II IL hap
pens that all logical and just methods
shall be exhausted without the desired
result, 1 will 20 to Washington and there
tell of Cuba and her sacred ideals of an
independent republic and will arbitrate
the destiny of our country, baptised with
blood and sanctified with our love Of in
dependence and liberty, which we will