Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-05-23
WHY GOMEZ WITHDREW
What He Wanted to Straighter
Out, as He Thought, the At
fairs of the Island

Havana, May 19.-The expected mani.
festo of Gen. Maxine Gomez was issued
this evening. 1t reviews his part in the
negotiations with Gov.-Gen Brooke and
speaks of his love for Cuba and his suf-
ferings on her behalf in the past, and
continues.
The hour has now arrived for me to raise
my voice in justification of my position and
to describe the arduous work ] have done
since my first visit to Gen. Brooke. l pro-
tested to him against the sum offered by
the United States as insufficient to accom-
plish the good intended. While waiting an
answer to my protest, i sought a solution
of the question. Gen. Brooke, representing
the chief magistrate Of the United States,
announced his inability to add to the sum
already settled upon.
Spectators then attempted to intervene
Offering suggestions which were refused by
me. They presented a proposition to the
Military assembly, but the scheme was
frustrated by President McKinley's refusal
to recognize that body.
deemed the formation of militia prac-
teal solution and Gen. Brooke who APP
proved the idea, asked me for a summary
of my views on the subject. TO this re
piled that 10000 men were all it would be
possible to get from the former Cuban
army without distinction as to race. My
answer was sent to President Mckinley,
together with q personal letter. giving ex-
phcit reasons why such a course was nee
essary.
l had many conferences with Gen. Brooke
in my endeaYOrS to discover such a plan Of
payment as would not exclude the men who
had never carried arms. Gen. Brooke in
sisted upon the surrender of arms before
the receipt OF money and | also desired that
such arms as had already been surrendered
and such should be surrendered here
after might be delivered to warehouses in
the care Of Cuban armOrerS, to be paid out
Of the Cuban treasury.
l do not think 1t disgrace that the
Cuban soldiers should receive, from gov
eminent which is able to pay, sums that
will relieve their Immediate needs Special
certificates will be given all, redeemable by
the Cuban republic SO soon it is
tablished.
with obtaining peace to have an army with
arms reserved 10 defend Cuba against her
enemies and in the meantime to be guarded
as the relics of 4 glorious struggle. In my
judgment, whether the arms were disposed
of the municipalities or to armOrers, it
would be all the same under the intervening
government. The Cuban commissioners,
however, refused to agree with Gen. Brooke
and the Americans and declined to fix dates
and places where the Cuban soldiery could
deliver up arms and receive payment from
the American paymaSters after Identified
ton by their respective chiefs.
After further praise of the governor
generals consideration and Il declaration
of his own desire to correct an error eX-
listing in Cuba with respect to the Unit
States he goes on to say:
l did not act alone as seems to be popu-
larry believed, but always consulted with
our officers. My advice to you now is to
return to your home with the amounts Of
fered by the intervening government and to
practice patience, which will be an addi-
tional proof of your heroism. In this way
we shall reconstruct most rapidly the
homes consecrated by the blood of martyrs,
blood poured out in behalf of Il purpose
now attained and thus begin this cycle of
liberty with the grandest prospects ceded
by the herads of future prosperity and
peace.
This work is your portion. Let 40 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 promised by
Il noble nation, pledged to obtain for us
our rights.
Meanwhile / shall remain where 1 am
generously invited, among the Cubans. l
shall work without cessation for our
pirations and in a narrow sphere assigned
me if necessary. And if it happens that all
logical and just methods shall be exhausted
without the desired result, / will go to
Washington and there tell of Cuba and her
sacred ideals of an independent republic.
and will arbitrate the destiny of our cCun-
try, baptized with blood and sanctifed
with love of independence and liberty
which will never cease demanding in
tones of SubtleSt diplomacy for the sake of
the nation that is to be in the near fu-
ture. always asking that independence and
liberty which we covet in the name of right
civilization, justice and democracy.