Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-03-13
A D|GN|F|tD ADDRESS
Issued by General Gomez to the Cuban
People and Army.
THE OLD WARRIOR SAYS HE WAS
NOT A MERCENARY SOLDIER,
AND SINCE CUBA IS FREE HE is
CONTENT TO SHEATH HIS
SWORD-DEMONS IN
FAVOR OF THE GENERAL, WHO
RECEIVED MANY CALLERS YES
TERDAY.
TERDAY

to the Cuban people and army:
BY the use of supreme faculties with
which it is endowed, the Assembly, rep
resenting the army only has deposed
me as Communicated of the Cuban
army, which grade it conferred upon
me during the last war. AS command
er-in-chief, l always followed the die
tates OF my best conscience and the
call of great national needs. 1 en-
deavored in all circumstances to fulfill
my duty.
"The Assembly considers the fact
that | do not aid it in efforts to raise
loans which later would compromise
the greatest financial and political in
terests of Cuba, to be an act of insub-
ordination and want of respect. The
primary cause for the action taken
against me is my conviction that Cuba
should begin the exercise of its own
sovereignty, as a republic of union and
concord, proclaimed at Monte Cristo
and sustained unimpaired on the field
of battle. free from all compromise,
keeping the nations honor spotless.
AS for the rest. as a sincere man, 1
confess l thank them because they re-
lieve me of great political obligations,
and also leave me free to return to my
abandoned home, which during thirty
years of continual strife for the good
of this country that l love so much,
has been my one aspiration. Foreigner
as l am, l did not come to serve this
country by helping it to defend its Just
cause as a mercenary soldier; and con-
sequently since the oppressive power
of Spain has withdrawn from this land.
left Cuba in freedom, | have sheathed
my sword, thinking 1 had finished the
mission which l had voluntarily i'm
posed upon myself. am owed nothing.
| retire contented and satisfied at hay-
ing done all 1 could for the benefit of
my brothers. Wherever destiny rules
that l make my home, there can the
Cubans depend upon a friend"
Governor General Brooke was mott
fed last night of the deposition of
Gomez, and when seen this morning
he was much interested to learn the de-
tails of the Assembly's proceedings. He
said he could not express an opinion
as to the effect of the Assembly's ac-
ton upon the future relations between
General Gomez and the United States.
particularly in the matter of disburs-
ing the 100000 offered by Washing
ton to the Cuban troops as a condi-
ton of DISARMAMENT, but the impress
sion seems to be among the American
authorities that, as the Assembly has
never been officially recognized by the
United States government, so far as
Washington is concerned, will not
amount to more than the resolutions
of any other body of individuals.
The Assembly is being 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"
General Gomez during the day re
ceived numerous visitors all of whom
assured him of their affection and 10y
atty and that the declarations by to
Assembly on whatever subject could not
represent even the army, as the cleo
tions which gave its members their
present positions are really voidable for
illegality in political jobbbery. There
pie support him as against the As
sembly. The local press will probably
attack, the Assembly. urging its dis
solution as the best thing that can hap
pen, and insisting that there is no rea-
son why the United States authori-
ties may not continue to treat with
General Gomez in the matter of pay
ment to the troops.
1t is said on good authority that the
pay IOliS 1OLiLIG 10 PANSsNA ms " A4ttAAN
General Brooke are most complete, full
and fair. and that when the army learns
he can aid the troops in procuring So
00O 900. whereas, it is problematical
whether the assembly can obtain any
thing, there is little doubt as to the
side the army will take in the contro-
versy.
General Gomez enjoys the full conf
dence of the American military authori-
ties, and although he says he is glad
of his new found liberty, since it will
enable him to return home, it is not
believed that he will leave Cuba at
present.
The question of his successor as COM
mander-in-chief has not yet been con-
sidered but General Mayia Rodriguez
is the next in command No doubt
General Gomez technically exceeded his
authority in acting Independently of the
Assembly