The Mena star., 1899-01-11

Tn Ills Proviuce-Ex- President MasO
 Lauds Americaas.
 Washington, Jan. 10-Dr Jose Anto- nio Frias, the chairman of the finance committee of the Cuban assembly and one of the leading lawyers of the island, arrived in Washington, and will pre- sent to the department of state gen eral plan for the settlement of the financial system of Cuba. Since the ad journment of the Cuban assembly, when the commission appointed to come to Washington left Santa Cruz, the financial committee, of which Dr. Frias is chairman, has been at work upon their financial plan, which in- cludes a method of appropriating cer- tain of the revenues of the island to- ward the payment of the Gu ban sol diers when they are disbaRded, and also other financial measures for the relief of the people of the island. Dr. Frias said:
 In addition to the financial scheme which we have proposed. Dr. Capote, the vice president of the late revolutionary government and president of the Cuban assembly, has. with the aid of several of the leading representatives in the assembly. worked out an admirable plan for the government of the islands, drawn from his knowledge of the existing laws and practices of the courts and various local offices and which will be submitted to the United States government It would be of great aid to the American governor of the island in directing affairs and should give him a complete knowledge of the status Of things, which 1t would be exceedingly difficult If not impossible. to otherwise obtain. It contains suggestions and the outline of plans which will be of great service in establishing the govern mert and at the same time exhibit to the Americans the ability, judgment and wisdom to govern which 1t is only necessary to estab- fish in the minds of the American authorities to insure absolute independence for Cuba
 Regarding the attitude of Gen. Gomez Dr. Frias said:
 Gen. Gomez has been grossly misrepresented in great many respects l have reason to know that Gen Gomez Is not anti-American. as has been charged against him The state ment that he has opposed American interven- tion know to be absolutely and maliciously false. Patriot as he is he realizes that AmOri- can intervention in the government of Cuba at this time is necessity He sees it as do other Cuban leaders and as it is necessity he not only tolerates 1t without objection, but he Is in favor of It
 Gen. Wood Arrives at New York.
 New York, Jan. 10-The United States transport Mississippi, which sailed from Santiago on the evening of January 4, arrived to-day. On board the transport were Gen. Wood, mili- tary governor of Santiago, and Lieut. Hanna, aide-de-camp; Dr. Castillo, a brother of the Cuban general and Col Gibson, who superintended the dis. tribution of provisions to the starving Cubans Gen. Wood who was inter- viewed at quarantine regarding the protest of the people of Santiago over the disposal of the funds of that province, said he did not care to talk on that matter be- fore he visited Washington. There was some satisfaction, but it did not amount to anything. When he left Santiago every thing was in splen- did shape, schools were being organ ized and ready to receive scholars and nearly 1000 miles of roads had been constructed in the province. The cus- toms receipts were the largest eve r collected and exceeded the amount col lected and turned into the Spanish treasury. Funds were available for meeting the expenses of the admins tTdtlOH OI tue province ana the only expense to the United States would be the cost of maintaining her army. The best of feeling prevailed and the gen. eral condition of things was all that could be desired.
 Ex-President Maso Lauds Americans.
 Santiago de Cuba, Jan. 10. A lunch con was given yesterday to Bartolome Maso, the former president of the Gu. ban revolutionary government, prior to his departure for his home at Man zanillo. Replying to the toast of his health, Maso said he hoped to see the American flag waving soon from every house in Cuba. He then paid a glow. ing tribute to the magnificent work done by Gen. Leonard Wood in this province. Senor Maso also said he was not in sympathy with the men who were continually objecting to everything done in the island by Amer jeans. It was only necessary to see Santiago. he continued, to witness the magnificent results of American rule, and he trusted provincial and civic l autonomy would be granted to the Cubans under a nominal military head at Havana.