The San Francisco call., 1899-05-19
GOMEZ ADVISES
DISARMAMENT
Tells CubanS to Accept
Uncle Sans Money.

Special Dispatch to The Call.

HAVANA, May 1S-The expected
manifesto of General Maxine Gomez
was issued this evening. 1t reviews
his part in the negotiations with Gen
eraI Brooke and speaks of his love for
Cuba and his sufferings in her behalf
IN the past. General Gomez says:
The hour has now arrived for me 70
raise my voice in justification of my DO
Sltion and to describe the arduous work
l nave done since my first visit to Gen
erai Brooke. | protested to him against
ihe sum offered by the United States as
lnsu1hclent TO accomplish the good in
tended. While waiting an answer to my
protest sought solution of the ques-
Con. General Brooke, representing the
chlet magistrate of the United States
announced his inability to add to the
sum already settled upon.
SPECTATORS then attempted to inter
Eene, offering suggestions which were re-
FUSED by me. They presented a PROPOSE
scheme was frustrated by President Nc
hlnleyS refusal to recognize that body.
/ deemed the formation of militia
practical solution, and General Brooke,
VINO approved the idea, asked me for
summary of my views on the subject.
To this l replied that 10000 men were all
1t would be possible to get from the for
mer Cuban army without distinction to
race. My answer was sent to President
Mckinley, together with a personal let
ter giving explicit reasons why such
course was necessary.
l had many conferences with General
Brooke in my endeavors to discover such
plan of payment as would not exclude
the men who had never carried arms.
General Brooke insisted upon the surren-
der of arms before the receipt of money
and l also desired that such arms a 5
had already 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. | do not think 1t dis
Il
ceive, from a Government which is able
TO pay, sums that will relieve their imme-
diate needs. Special certificates will be
given to all redeemable by the Cuban re-
public as soon as ii is established.
/ am convinced that it is compatible
with obtaining peace to have an army
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-
the same under the intervening govern
ment. The Cuban Commissioners, how
ever, refused to agree with General
Brooke and the Americans and declined
to fix dates and places where the Cuban
soldiers could deliver up arms and re-
ceive payment from the American pay
masters after Identification by their re-
spective chiefs.
After further praise OF General
Brooke's consideration" and a declara-
ror existing in Cuba with respect to the
United States, he goes on to say:
l did not act alone, as seems to be
popularity believed, but always consulted
with our officers. My advice to you now
is to return to your homes with the
amounts offered by the intervening gov
ernment and to practice patience, which
will be an additional proof of your hero
ism. In this way, we shall reconstruct
most rapidly the homes consecrase ed by
the blood of martyrs, blood poured out
in behalf of a purpose now attained, and
thus begin this cycle of liberty with the
grandest prospects, prophesied by the
heralds of future prosperity and peace.
This work is your portion. Let no pre-
text interfere with the attainment of the
independent government for which three
generations of Cubans have struggled
with all sacrifice, and which is now prom
ised by noble nation pledged to obtain
for us our rights. Meanwhile 1 shall re-
main where | am generously invited
among the .Cubans. I shall work without
cessation for our aspirations and in a
narrow sphere assigned me If necessary.
And If II happens that all logical and
just methods shall be exhausted without
the desired result, / will go TO Washing
ton and there tell Of Cuba and her sacred
ideals of an independent republic and will
arbitrate the destiny of our country.
baptized with blood and sanctihed with
our love of independence. and liberty,
which we will never cease demanding in
tones of subtlest diplomacy, for the sake
Of the nation that is to be in the near
future, always asking that Independence
of right, civilization, justice and democ-