Evening star., 1899-03-15
Cuban Assembly's Committee Will
Not Be Recognized.
MIGHT BETTER REMAIN At HAVANA
Not Regarded as Representing the
People.
FEELING TOWARD GOMEZ

Inc COmm1ttee WhlCn was appointed yes
| terday by the Cuban military assembly to
come to Washington to impress upon the
officials here the insufficiency of the appro-
priation of $1,000 900 for the benefit of the
| Cuban army and endeavor to secure recog-
milton, may as we'll save the amount of
money which they would be obliged to in
vest in travelling expenses, for it can be
stated authoritatively that they will not be
| recognized here in any official capacity.
The War Department officials are not act
uated by any small sentiment of irritation
in this decision, but from conviction that
they are bound by reasons of sound policy
to avoid carefully such official recognition
of any body in Cuba except such fully
representative body as shall be created by
all of the Cuban people through the eX-
ercise of the right of franchise. Prepara-
tory to the extension of the opportunity to
so exercise their rights the officials in Cuba
are now taking steps to secure a census as
a basis. To permit any other body to re-
ceive official recognition might result In
saddling the new republic with mass OF
indebtedness which would prove 10 be q
burden too heavy to be borne, lead to re-
pudiation and then in turn to foreign com.
plicatons growing out Of the claims Of
bondholders.
Not a Representative Body.
But in the case of this particular body,
the Cuban military assembly. the War De-
partment officials feel satisfied that it is
in 40 manner representative of majority
of the Cuban people. 1t is not even repre-
sentative of the majority of the late Cuban
army, for in the opinion of the best in
formed persons here, Gen. Gomez is the
idol of most of the Cuban soldiers.
In making the payments to the Cuban
soldiers. which have been arranged for by
Secretary Alger 1T may be stated that the
personality OF the Cuban commanders will
play little part. The soldiers are to be dealt
with individually, and the money will Ike
handled only by the United States army
paymasters, receipts being taken from the
individuals as it is paid over and the in
dfvidual being held responsible for the
faithful performance of the obligations he
assumes in consideration of receiving the
money.
No Orders Given Gen. Brooke
1t is stated at the War Department today
that there will probably be no necessity for
Gen. Brooke to take any steps looking to
the dispersion of the Cuban assembly at
Havana. No orders had been issued to Gen
Brooke looking to any such action AS
military governor of the island he has alb
solute authority to take any course he
deems necessary for the preservation of the
peace of the island. 1t is said that the Of
fetal information from Havana indicates
that no serious disturbances are likely to
occur as a result of the meetings OF the
assembly.
Strong Cuban Element with Gomez.
1t is not without some satisfaction, how
ever, that this government looks uron the
incidents to this pretentious folly of the
Assembly" 1t has developed the fact that
Gen. Gomez is a man Of qualities to be re-
lied ba e1a of
the PEOPLE of Cuba are with him. There is
every reason for satisfaction al this, as it
greatly simplifies the matter of reaching
the understanding of the people. Gen. Co
meZ is recognized as a man Of character
and capable of reason. He is said to under
stand the good purposes Of this government
toward the Cubans, and to realize that the
welfare of the island and the insurance of
liberty of it's people will be advanced by a
hearty cooperation with the United States
authorities. He has therefore entered into
tEis cooperation with intelligence and
evidence of sincerity. The policy of the
President has been to proceed stem by sten
In Cuba, meeting each problem as it might
arise, and trusting to the opening I'D of the
prospect as the advance is made. The pur-
pose In view Is to give Cuba her indepen-
&c nee as soon as ii is possible TO est ah1;sh
responsible government. 1t NAV be as
serted with absolute positiveness that if
the dominating element in Cuba should Of
iei ~ waive tnelr promised Independence
ana seek annexation at this time to the
United States their offer would be declined.
Independence Before Acquisition.
Under no circumstances would the admin
istration contemplate the permanent ac-
QUESTION of Cuba. even at the instance of
Cubans themselves, before absolute inde-
pendence had been established IT would
be held by the President that Cuba as a
nation could not be in a position to seek to
become part of this government before
1t had actually enjoyed an Independent ma
tional existence. Until an Independent gov
ernment by and for the people of Cuba
has been established there exists no au-
thority to speak for the wishes of the
Cuban people.
Gen. Gomez, it is said, fully understands
this attitude of the President. and it is
for this reason that he is ready to lend
his utmost aid to the federal authorities
He is intelligent enough to do justice to
the high purposes of this government and
TO know that if Cuba is ever to become a
part of the territory of the United States
it will not be until after the people have
government that can speak for them and
every vestige Of United States authority
has been long enough reuBoved from the
island to deprive this government of any
undue influence in determining the choice
of the Cuban people.