The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-03

Feb. ], via Havana. Feb. General |
Maxine Gomez. the commander in chief |
q, the Cuban army. placed himself
squarely in position to-day as an active
ally OF the United States government
in the work OF the reconstruction OF |
Cuba.
As result OF the conference which |
Robert P. Porter. the special commits
slcncr OF President Mckinley. has had
with General Gomez. the latter cabled |
10 PresIden. Mckinley this afternoon, |
assuring him OF his corporation in dis
banding the Cuban army and in the dis
,r!buton among the Cuban soldiers OF
the 100000 appropriated for the pur-
pose OF enabling them TO return 10 their
homes. General Gomez also telcSraphed
to Major General Brooke. saying he
would accept the latter's Invitation to
60 10 Havana.
When Mr.. Porter arrived here last
week he was accompanied by Senior
Gonzalez Queseda, the special COM
missioner OF the Cuban junta ~ Wash
inston; Captain Campbell. OF General
BrOoke's staff: Lieutenant Hanna. OF
General Woods stan. and L corrcspon-
dent OF the Associated Press. General
Gomez had gone TO his camp this morn
tng. but he returned, accompanied by
his staff and fifty horsemen on various
kinds OF mounts. They rode past the
hotel where Mr.. Porter wis stopping,
around the plaza and into L side street
10 the Cuban headquarters.
Received by Gomez.
General Gomez was seer by Senior
ouesada this afternoon. and after an
hours conference Mr.. Porter, accom-
panied by Senior Cuesada. Captain
Campbell and Lieutenant Hanna, was
received by General Gomez In his par
loT. up one flight of stairs and in the
presence OF hts staff.
The old general wore no insignia o;
his rank. He was dressed in linen
coat and dark trousers, and had 4 silk
handkerchief over his coat collar. He
also Wore a black tie. and showed n
heavy silver watch and chain with a
silver cross attached 10 it.
The Cuban commander was cordial
IN greeting Mr.. Porter. and opened the
Interview by referring to the change for
the better which had taken place in
Cuba since he was last here in Septdm-
Der. He also laid stress on the fact that
some people We're asking where was
Cuba's promised liberty.
The answer TO this" said Mr.. POr-
ter. ''is that Cuba has now commercial
and industrial liberty and that Presi-
dent Mckinley has directed me in franz
'ng the Cuban tariff TO make no dis
elimination in favor Of the United
States In the manner that Spain favored
herself. Cuba is free to-day to buy In
the cheapest market. People are re-
turning TO the pursuits OF peace and our
military government will give way 10
the civil government as fast as possi-
ble."
Purpose ofthc Government.
Mr.. Porter also said that the purpose
bs the American government is TO lay
q firm foundation of noble govern
ment for Cuba to give the Cubans all
the liberties they had fought ror. and
that General Gomez must remember
that and more still. For instance. there
ure 5000 or 10000 Spanish soldiers at
CIcntuegos who have no; left Cuba:
that We had only been 4 month on the
island and that President Mckinley
needed and was entitled TO the cooper
alton OF all interested in the welfare
and future OF Cuba. and that he needed
the cooperation OF General Gomez
above all Others.
The first problem. Mr.. Porter then
pointed out. was the disbandment OF the
Cuban army and the return OF the Gu
ban soldiers TO work. This was the spc-
cliic mission which had brought Mr..
Porter 10 Remedies. and In which Pres
ident Mckinley expected General Co.
D!.z's aid.
The Cuban commander in chief re-
piled that he was ready and willing TO
give the aid required, but asked how he
could do II.
To this Mr. Porte replied that Presi-
dent Mckinley would be glad TO have
him go TO Havana and cooperate with
General Brooke in disbandinE the Gu
bans. and in paying over the S3O0O.GOO
appropriated for that purpose.
General Gomez said the amount was
100 small. but that was not his fault
aud he would make It go Hs far as
possible. while likening 1t to the miracle
0. the lOaves and fishes.
has done SO much with 50 small re,
sources "a YOU have done. Hence your
cooperation with General Brooke viii
bring good results"
General Gomez sn.ciaIiv r.uusstnd
that the money for which Mr.. Porter
mad orders In his pocket should be paid
over 10 General Brooke and not 10 him
self. MS he did not want the personal
responsibility Of keeping IL.