The times., 1899-03-08
GENERAL gomez and
THE CUBAN ARMY
Senor Quesada Says This Coun-
try Has Offered No Money.
He EmphaticalIy Denies the Re
ported Prefer Of $3. 900, 600.
Has just Returned From the Island
Speaks. lie says. with Full
Authority.

According to the statements of SenOr
Gonzala de Quesada, representative of the
Cuban Junta, the American Govern
ment has never offered a sum of money to
General Gomez with which to discharge
the claims of Cuban soldiers. and except
for the published fakes given out by
company of American capitalists which is
endeavoring TO engineer a wholesale bond
issue. the Cuban Assembly has never ia
vorably contemplated any such financial
scheme. This statement. however. does
not alter the fact that the United States
has offered to distribute $1,000, 900 among
the Cuban troops who were actually in the
field when the peace protocol was signed,
and that General Gomez, as General in
Chief of the Revolutionary Army, is
looked 10 10 supply the roster and other
evidence necessary TO secure before the
money can be paid to the men.
1t has never been expected, according to
Senor Quesada, that the United States Gov
ernment would recognize financial obliga-
tions issued by the Cuban Assembly. even
though that Assembly represented the
whole people of Cuba, and the present
Assembly of the Cuban army now in ses-
SiOn near mas neIlntT l1e power
nor the desire 10 favor a Cuban bond issue.
1t is claimed that the company of Amerit al
capitalists, in its endeayors to induce the
American Government to guarantee a bond
issue made by the Assembly of the Cuban
army, has misrepresented matters. This
company. Senor Quesada says, has offered
TO float 600 for the Assembly. de-
manding in payment over SIS 600, 900 worth
of bonds.
General Gomez the sum of s., 600 600 with
which to pay the Cuban army" said Senior
Quesada last night. The United States
has never promised that if the offer of
S5.oOo,0 coo were accepted and confirmed by
the Assembly an additional $4,000. 900
would be advanced.
Il have just returned from Cuba On
mission 10 General Gomez. and / know
whereof | speak / have seen the state
through the 'COrtes.' This shows that it
is fake, as there is no Cortes in Cuba.
and the offer could hardly come via the
Spanish Cortes.
No pledge was ever given General
Gomez that as soon as the Cuban army
was disbanded the United States would
retire from the island, and. further no
pledge was ever given General Come that
as soon as the machinery Tor taking vote
OF the people was put in operation the
United States would retire from Cuba and
leave it TO an Independent government.
No assurance has ever been given any
Cuban that the number OF American troops
doing garrison duty on the island would
be reduced in the near future. 1t is
probable that American troops will remain
i'll Cuba for several years.
The greatest fake of all, and the worst
case Of rot in the whole business, is the
assurance that the American Government
has offered 70 elect General Gomez as The
first President Of the island if the terms
are accepted. Il has also beer stated. and
more than. all. believed in some quarters.
that General Gomez had accepted the offer
and affirmed his ambition to become the
/ first President Of Cuba.
This is rot. General Gomez has never
| heard of such silly offer and were he
TO hear of it he would laugh at it. l am
in a position 10 know the inside of these
matters and ! assure you that General
Gomez has no ambition TO become Presi-
| dent. He has always scoffed at the idea
/ aud refused offers OF aid in attaining the
Office. General Gomez has too much good
/ hard sense 10 listen to such stuff.
General Gomez has never taken the
members of the Assembly into his conf
dence in the matter, and has never asked
I that body to confirm the arrangement 10
! accept the 81. .OC0 coo. Gomez has little CON
nection with the Assembly and could make
no such offer or request.
| General Sanguily is not working with
! General Gomez. On the contrary. they
( nave little friendship for one another.
doubt that sanguily has passed word
/ with Gomez for over a year Any state
ment anent Gomez which is said TO come
/ from Sanguily is false
General Gomez is not coming TO Wash
ington. nor will General Sanguiiy accom-
pany MIN, Is has been stated. Everything
/ is proceeding quietly and smoothly in Cuba,
and / expect no disturbance.