The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-04
ANGRY WITH GEN, GOMEZ
DECLARE He HAS ACTED WITH
OUT AUTHORITY.
THE AssEMBLf'S CONSENT NECESSARY
Other Chiefs Assert that the Cubln Army Does
not Ask and Cannot Accept Charity
from the United States let
Ter from Mckinley.

Havana. Feb. 3.-Among the Cuban
leaders who have given expression to
their views on the subject, it is assert
ed that General Gomez was not author
lied to agree to the disbandment Of the
army without consulting tue Cuban
Assembly and obtaining its permission.
Indeed, when the report arrived that
General Gomez had accepted Mr. Port
er's proposition on behalf Of the Presi-
dent, many doubted it, refusing to be-
lieve that he would act in this fash
ion.
A prominent Cuban said to-day
IF the news is true, the Cuban As
sembly will have grounds for proceeding
against General Gomez. The idea Of
$3,00O0O0 as a gift from the United
States to the Cuban soldiers is repugnant
and wounds the pride of Cubans."
A number .of interviews obtained to-
day with prominent Cuban Generals go
to show the feeling in the higher mill
tary circles. General Mayia Rodriguez
commander of the Cuban forces in the
Provinces Of Pinar del Rio, Havana.
Matanzas and Santa Clara. and second
in command in the Cuban army, said:
Il cannot think that General Gomez
would take this resolution regarding
matter Of such transcendental import
ance as the payment and disbandfhent of
the Cuban army without consulting the
Cuban Generals. Although / still be-
lieve that the United States win fulfill
s4.. Tf..l-- Il
think the Cuban army should continue
to aid in preserving order in the island
until this promise has been fulfilled, and
until certain important matters have
been clearly decided, such as, for in
stance, who is to pay the cost Of the
numerous and unnecessary American
army of occupatiOn-Cub or the United
States. General Gomez does not hold
the power to disband the army without
the authorization of the Cuban Assem-
bly, and until consultation with the
Generals"
Generals Leyte Vidal and Perraza and
others concur in the views Of General
Rodriguez
General Enrique Collazo said;
'The Cuban army cannot and should
not accept a gift or charity from any
nation. We asked for what is rightly
ours"
General Mario Menocal, formerly Gu
ban commander in Havana Province,
and now chief of police in Havana city,
said:
Il doubt the truth of the statements
attributed to General Gomez. If they
be true, l can simply say that General
Gomez is not authorized to solve this
problem unaided, The Cuban army
does not ask, and cannot accept charity
from the American Government"
All the Generals interviewed were in
clined to be guarded in their statements,
pending the receipt Of word from Gen
eral Gomez. which, up to $3.50 o'clock
this evening. was not to hand. Still the
general feeling in Cuban military circles
is that the commander-in-chief will have
an explanation, upon his arrival here, of
conduct which to many, is remarkable
and even incomprehensible.
While there promises to be trouble
with the Assembly, some declare that
General Gomez will lie able to sway the
deputies to his will and secure the dis
bandment of the army. 1t is significant,
however. that the Cubans who have al
ready been engaged as members Of the
Havana police force had to deposit their
arms and ammunition with the officers
the regiment to which they
belonged, inform him as to their new
residence and give a pledge to return to
the army when called upon to do so by
the Cuban Assembly
The following message from President
Mckinley was received by Robert H.
Porter this morning and was transmitted
to General MaNimo Goniez:
Hon. Robt T. Porter, Havana:
"The President sends his hearty con-
and thanks for your dis
patch. Convey his cordial greetings to
General Gomez and his grateful appre-
citation of the Generals frank and friend
ly message. The cooperation of Gen
eral Gomez in the reconstruction of Cuba
will be of the greatest value for both
peoples (Signedl
JOHN HAY.
Secretary OF State"
DIED.