Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-05-19
G0MEZ'S MANIFESTO.
The Cuban General Explains His Part oil Nego
ti.tions With the Americans.

Havana. May 1S.-The expected
manifesto of Gen. Gomez was issued.
this evening. 1t reviews his part in
the negotiations with Gov General
Brooke and speaks of his love for
Cuba and his sufferings on her behalf
in the past. Gen. Gomez says: The
hour has now arrived for me to raise
my voice in justification of my position
ana to describe the arduouS work |
have done since my first visit TO Gen
Brooke. | protested to him against
the sum offered by the United States
as insufficient to accomplish the good
| intended. While waiting an answer to
my protest, | sought a solution of the
question. Gen. Brooke, representing
the Chief Magistrate of the United
States, announced his inability to add
to the sum already settled upon
Spectators then attempted TO inter-
vene. Offering suggestions which were
refused by me. They presented a pro-
position to the Military Assembly but
the scheme was frustrated by Presi-
dent McI[inley's refusal to recognize
that body.
II deemed the formation of militia Il
practicable solution and Gen. Brooke,
who approved the idea, asked me for
summary of my views on the subject
To this | replied that 10000 were all
it would be possible to get from the
former Cuban army without distinction
as to race. My answer was sent to
President Mckinley, together with IA
personal letter giving explicit reasons
why such Il corps was necessary
Il had many conferences with Gen.
Brooke in my endeavors to discover
to discover such a plan of payment
as would exclude the men who had
never carried arms. Gen. Brooke in
sisted upon the surrender of arms be-
| fore the receipt of payment, and | al
50 desired that such arms as had al
ready been surrendered and such as
should be surrendered hereafter might
be delivered to warehouses in the care
of Cuban armorers to be paid out of
the Cuban treasury.
Il do not think it disgrace that the
Cuban soldiers should receive, from the
government which is able to pay, sums
that will relieve their immediate needs.
Special certificates will be given to ali.
redeemable by the Cuban republic as
soon as il is established.
II am convinced that it is ompatible
with arms reserved to defend Cuba
against her enemies, and in the meantime
to be guarded as the relics of a glorious
struggle In my judgment, whether the
arms were disposed of to the municipali-
ties or to armorcrs, it would be all the
same under the intervening government.
The Cuban commissioners. however, have
refused to agree with Gen. Brooke and
the Americans and declined to fix dates
and places where the Cuban soldiers could
deliver up arms ana receive payment
from the American paymasterS after
Identification by their respective chiefs
After further praise of Gen. Brooke's
consideration and declaration of his
own desire to correct an error existing in
Cuba with respect to the United States,
he goes on to say:
81 did not act alone. as seems to be pop
Uiarly believed, but always consulted
with our officers. Ny advice to YOU now
is to return to your homes with the
amounts offered by the intervening gov
crnmcnt and to practice patience, which
win be an additional proof of your hero
ism. In this way we shall reconstruct
most rapidly the homes consecrated by
the blood Of martyrs, blood poured out in
behalf Of a purpose now attained. ana
thus begin this cycle of liberty with the
grandest prospects, preceded by the her
AIDS Of future prosperity and peace. This
work is your portion. Let no preteNt IN
tnrfprc with the attainment of the indie
pendent government for which three gen
cratic of Cubans have struggled with
all sacrifice, and which Is now promised
Nv a noble nation, pledged TO obtain for
us our rights.
Meanwhile. | shall remain where | am
generously invited among the Cubans.
/ shall work without cessation for our
asDira tons and in narrow sphere as
signed me if necessary. And IL 1t hap
mems that all logical and just methods
snail be exhausted without the desired
result, ! will go to Washington and there
IAN nf cuba and her sacred ideals Of an
;ndaoendent republic and will arbitrate
the destiny of our country. baptized with
blood and sanctifed with our love of in,
ei.,r cease demanding in tones of
l s1hflest diplomacy, for the sake of the
nation that is to be in he near future al
Wy owbich We covct in the name Of right. |
ciyilzation. justice and democracy