The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-04
Some Of the Subchiefs Think 1t an In
sent Them with $3,OOO,OOOs
Mr.. PORTER URGES HASTE
THINKS CUBAN SOLDIERS SHOULD BE
EMPLOYED AT ONCE,
And Suggests that They BE Given En-
tire Charge of Policing the Island
The Presidents congratulations.

HAVANA, Feb 3.-The news of General
Gomez's acceptances of the proposals of
President Mckinley, through Robert p
Porter, the Presidents special commission
er, has not yet been thoroughly weighed in
this city. The Cuban leaders seem uncertain
for the moment whether to support General
Gomez or criticise him. Public opinion had
been wrought up to demand and expect a
larger payment. Some of the Cuban major
generals who have not been consulted may
strongly dsapprove of an agreement which
gives them a minute portion of the $4,000
each Of them expected.
Among the Cuban leaders who have given
expression to their views on the subject,
it is asserted that General Gomez was not
authorized to agree to the disbandment of
the army without consulting the Cuban AS
sembly and obtaining it's permission. Indeed,
when the report arrived that General Gomez
had accepted Mr.. Porter's proposition on be-
half of the President, many doubted it, re-
fusing to believe that he would act in this
fashion. A prominent Cuban said to-day:
IF the news is true, the Cuban Assembly
will have grounds for proceeding against
General Gomez The idea of 100000 as a
gift from the United States to the Cuban
soldiers is repugnant and wounds the pride
of the Cubans."
A number of interviews obtained to-day
with prominent Cuban generals go to show
the feeling in the higher military circles.
Gen. 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: II cannot think that General Gomez
would take this resolution regarding mat
ter of such transcendental Importance as
the payment and disbandment of the Cuban
army without consulting the Cuban gem
erals. Although I still believe that the
United States will fulfill its promise to give
Cuba her liberty, ] think the Cuban army
should continue to aid in preserving order
in the island until this promise has been full
filled and until certain other important mat
ters have been clearly decided such as, for
instance who is to pay the cost of the num-
erous and unnecessary American army of
occupation-Cuba or the United States. Gen.
Gomez does not hold the power to disband
the army without the authorization of the
Cuban Assembly and until after consulta-
tion with the generals Generals Leyte,
Vidal and Perraza concur in the views of
General Rodriguez.
CANNOT ACCEPT CHARITY.
General Enrique Colazo said: ''The Cuban
army cannot accept a gift or charity from
any nation. We asked for what is rightly
ours. That which Cuba owes to her defend
ers in arms should be delivered up to no
one because no one has vanquished us. Our
allies cannot and should not exact such a
useless and painful sacrifice. The Cuban
army is not danger to Cuba, but a guar
antee of order
General Lacrete said: Il think Mr. Porter
must have assured General Gomez most
convincingly of our approaching independ-
ence before he would have been willing to
express himself as is reported. At the prop
er time General Gomez will express his
ideas to the people of Cuba.
General Marino Menocal, formerly Cuban
commander in Havana province and now
chief of police in Havana city, said: Il
doubt the truth of the statement attributed
to General Gomez. If it is 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 char
ity from the American government. The
country has asked loan to facilitate the
payment of money rightfully due the army"
All the generals interviewed were inclined
to be guarded in their statements pending
the receipt of the word from General Gomez,
which up to $3.50 o'clock this evening was
not at hand. Still the general feeling in
Cuban military circles is that the COM
mander-in-chief will have an explanation TO
make upon his arrival here, which to many
is remarkable and even incomprehensible
conduct.
Senior Portuendo, president of the execu-
tive committee of the Cuban Assembly,
which acts for the assembly when the lat
ter is not in session, as is now the case
said: General Gomez is only commander
in-chief of the army. AS such he is under
direction of the assembly, which alone rep
resents the army. The assembly is en-
powered TO direct the army as to it's line
of conduct. / have no official data emitting
me to judge of the conduct of General
Gomez respecting the question of disband-
ing the troops, but he is fully aware Of
his own powers as well as those of the
assembly / know his spirit of subordina-
ton to superior authority and / am sure
that he will act within the limits fixed
thereby"
While there promises to be trouble with
the assembly, some declare that Gomez will
he able to sway the deputies to his will and
to secure the disbandment of the army. 1t
is significant, however that the Cubans
who have already been engaged as members
Of the Havana police force had to deposit
their arms and ammunition with the officer
commanding the regiment 70 which they be-
longed 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.
6srx Nv