The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-02-02
PoRTER.s MISSION.
II Is Financial and StntlNticnI--Pny
of CMbnn VroopS.

Of cuban troops.
Washington, January 31.-It is stated at
the war department that Mr. Robert p.
Porters mission to Cuba is entirely OF n
financial and statistical character, and that
he is not empowered to make any payment
TO the Cuban troops. 1t is admitted that
he may find it within the lines of his duty
while in Cuba collecting this information
to gather all the data he can respecting the
strength and condition of the Cuban
troops.
The best information obtainable so far
at the department, and perhaps 1t is part
of Mr.. Porter's duty TO verify this, is that
the Cuban troops who might properly APP
ply for money in case IL should be decided
10 pay them off number 10000. II Is prob
able ii was by basing q calculation Of
500 per man upon this number that people
in Havana obtained the idea that Mr.. Por-
ter was to disburse 100000 for this pur-
pose.
IL is we'll understood that the sum de-
manded by the Cuban troops on account
OF their back pay is fully ten times this
sum. II probably will be reported to them
that as any payment whatever on this ac-
count must be charged up against the Is
land of Cuba the United states. as the
temporary guardian of the island, is in
duty bound TO avoid burdening IL at
the very outset OF its Independent cx-
istence with a load beyond It's ability
TO bear in the shape of obligations, The
Cuban soldiers will be asked TO take this
sum as payment on account, leaving the
future government OF Cuba to add the re-
Enumeration later on IL 1t shall See tit.
The condition precedent TO this first pay
ment will be solemn premise to disband
at once.
The decision to send Mr.. Porter TO Cuba
YVES reached after full discussion of the
situation of the lnsursent army between
the president and his cabinet Mr.. Porter VIII
confer first with General Brooke and his
mission is not to make or promise any
payments, but gather information. He viii
ask II the Cuban army will dsband on the
present payment OF S3.000,O00. Our legal
right to make this payment was referred
10 the attorney general, who held that any
sum might lawfully be advanced to the in
surgent troops on condition that the treas
ury be subsequently reimbursed from the
revenues of the island and 1t Is understood
that this course VIII be pursued II 1t Is
found that the desired results can be Sc
cured thereby.
The cabinet at today's meeting discussed
very carefully the purposes OF Mr. Por-
ter's visit 10 Cuba. but the greater part
OF the time was given to the consideration
CT matters Of no general interest
Havana. January 3i.--slr. Porter's mis-
sion 10 General Gomez Is OF a two-fold
character--to discuss with him fully The
position OF the Cuban army and 10 invite
him 10 Harana.
The Washington administration desires
an Immediate aud friendly settlement Of
the Cuban army question. As the military
chiefs decisively refuse to accept $4,000. 900
In complete satisfaction OF the claims Of
the scldiery Washington has determined,
II is understood to offer a much larger
sum. even as high as $4,000 900 II less
rnor, ID 10 be a charge upon the revenues
OF the island until paid. The Cubsns.