Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-04
GOMEZ ALREADY IN TROUBLE.
rfom'nen: Cubans Cl,im He Nae No Authority
to Make Agreement With Mr.. Porter.

Havana. Feb. 3.-Among the Cuban
leaders who have given expression to the
Cews on the subject, it is asserted that
! zen; GoInez was not authorized to agree
consulting the Cuban Assembly and OBJ
tanning its permission. indeed. when the
eepori arrived chat Gen. Gomez had ac-
copied Mr.. Forter's propos ton on behalf
of President Mckinley, many doubted 1T.
refusing to believe that he would act IN
ms fashion. A prominent Cuban said,
ms afternoon: IF the news is true, the
cuban Assembly will have grounds tor
proceeding against Gen. Gomez. The idea
OF s9OoO,0co as a gift from the United
states 10 the Cuban soldiers is repugna III
ana wounds the pride of CubanS."
number of interviews obtained, today
with prominent Cuban generals. will go
70 show the feeling in the higher military
circles.
Gen. Mayia Rodriguez, commander of
the Cuban forces in the provinces OF
Pinar del Rio and Santa Clara. and sec
ond in command in the Cuban army
said: Il cannot think that Gen. Gomez
would take this resolution regarding a
matter of such Importance the pay
ment and disarmament of the Cub IN
army without consulting the Cuban gem
erals. Although ! still believe that the
United States will fulfil its promises 10
give Cuba her liberty, 1 think the Cuban
army should continue to aid IN preserving
order in the island until this promise has
been fulfilled ana until certain important
matters have been clearly decided such
as, for instance. who is to pay the cost
of the numerous and unnecessary Amer
lean army of occupatiOn-Cuba or the
United States? Gen. Gomez does not hold
the power to disband the army without
the authorization of the Cuban Assembly
and not until after consultation with the
generals
Gems. Leyte Vidal and Perraza concur
in the views of Gen. Rodriguez. Gen.
have assured Gen. Gomez most convinc-
ingly of our approaching independence.
before he would have been willing to eN-
proper time Gen. Gomez will express his
ideas to the people of Cuba"
Gen. Mario Menocal, formerly Cuban
commander in Havana province and nov
chief of police in Havana city, said: Il
doubt the truth of the statements at
trbuted to Gen. Gomez. II they be true.
| can simply say that Gen. Gomez is NOT
authorized to solve this problem unaided.
The Cuban army does not ask and cannot
accept charity from the American gov
eminent. The country has asked a ioan
to facilitate the payment of money due
to the army.
All the generals interviewed were in
cl.ned to be guarded in their Statements.
pending the receipt of word from Gen.
Gomez. which, up TO $50 this evening,
was not at hand. Still the general feel
ing in Cuban military circles is that the
Commanderi n-chief will have an explain
alton upon his arrival here of conduct
which to many is remarkable and even
ilcomprehenSible.
Senior Pertuendo. president of the ex-
ecutive committee of the Cuban Assem-
bly,. who acts for the Assembly when the
latter is not in session, as is now the
case. said: Gen. Gomez is only the COM
mander of the army. AS such he IS under
the direction of the Assembly, when
alone represents the army. The Assem-
bly, is empowered TO direct the army as
to it's line of conduct. / have no official
data enabling me to judge of the conduct
of Gen. Gomez respecting the question of
dsbandng the troops, but he is fully
aware of his own powers as well as those
of the Assembly. ! know his spirit of
subordnation to superior authority and
know that he will act within the limits
thereby
While there promises to be trouble with
the Assembly. some declare that Gen.
Gomez will be able to sway the deputies
to his will and to secure the disarmament
of the army. 1t is significant, however.
that the Cubans who have already necn
engaged as members of the Havana po-
lice force had to deposit their arms and
ammunition with the officer commanding;
he regiment to which they have be-
longed inform him as to their new resi-
dence and give pledge to return to the
army when called upon to do so by the
Cuban Assembly.