The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-03-13
Veteran Leader Replies to Those Who
DepOsed Him.
SAYS HE RETIRES COMMENTED
AND SATISFIED.
Action of the Assembly Not Supported
by Majority Of cubans--tseneral Re-
ceived Many Visitors Yesterday Who
Assured Him of Their Loyalty.

Havana, March l9-Gen. Maxine
Gomez issued the following statement TO
the Cuban people and army:
"By the use of the supreme faculties
with which 1t is endowed, the assembly,
representing the army only, has deposed
me as commander-in.oh chief Of the Cuban
army, which grade 1t conferred upon me
during the last war. As commauder-in-
chief. 1 always followed the dictates Of
my best conscience and the call Of great
national needs. l endeavored In all elf
cumstances fulfil my duty.
"The assembly considers the fact that
do not aid IL in efforts to raise lhns,
which later could compromise the greatest
financial and political interests of Cuba
to be an act OF insubordination and OF
want of respect. The primary cause for
the action taken against me is my consic-
tion that Cuba should bsgin the exercise
Of its own sovereignty as republic OF
union and concord. proclaimed at Monte
Cristo and sustained unimpaired on the
field of battle, free from al. compromise,
keeping the nations honor spotlcss
"As for the rest, as a sincere man, con.
| fess / thank them because they relieve
| me of great political obligations and also
leave me free to return to my abandoned
| home, which, during 30 years of continu-
al strife for the good OF this country that
L love SO much, has been my one aspira-
tion. Foreigner as l am. did not come
TO serve this country by helping IL to de-
fend It's just.cause as a fneroenary soldier
and, consequently, since the oppressive
power of Spain has withdrawn from this
land and left Cuba in freedom, l had vol
unfairly imposed upon myself, l am
owed nothing. l retire contented and
satisfied ut having done all 1 could for
the benefit of my brothers. Wherever
destiny rules that make my home, there
can the Cubsns depend upon friend. "
Governor General Brooke was notified
last night Of the deposition of Gen.
Gomez, and when seen this morning. he
WAS much Interested to learn the details
of the assembly's IS proceedings, He said he
could not express an opinion as to the
effect of the assembly's action upon the
future relations between Gen. Gomez and
the United States, particularly in the
matter of disbursinR the -, 0U0, GOO offered
by Washington to the Cuban troops as q
condition of disbandment, but the in
preston seems to be among the Amett 81
auth 'sizs p TIE assem- bly has ~.
er been officially recognized by the unI-
ed States government, its action so far
as Washington Is concerned, Will not
amount to more than the resolutions OF
any other body of Individuals
The assembly is being strongly censured
by Cubans ON all sides, and there were
popular demonstra tiuns this afternoon in
favor of the deposed chief, the crowds
shouting Long live Gomez" and
death to the ASSEMBLY"
Gen. Gomez during the day received
numerous visitors, all of whom assured
him of their affection and loyalty and
that the declarations by the assembly. on
whatever subject, could not represent
even the army. as the elections which
gave its members their present positions
are really voidable for illegality and po-
Iitical jobbery. There is no doubt that
IA majority of the people support him as
against the assembly. The local press
will probably attack the assembly, urg-
ing its dissolution as the best thing that
can happen and insisting that there is no
reason why the United States authorities
may not continue to treat with Gen.
Gomez in the matter OF the payment to
the troops.
1t Is said on good authority that the
pay rolls he is preparing to hand to Gen.
Brooke are most complete, full and fair,
and that when the army learns he can
aid the troops In procuring $1,000, 900
whers as it is problematical whether the
assembly can OBTAIN anything, there is
little doubt as TO the side the army will
take In the controversy.