Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-23
Gonzalo De Quesada Reviews the
Affairs of Cuba.
Mr.. ROBERT P. PoRTER'S MISSION
Attitude of Gem Maxine Gomez
Described at Length.
CONDITIONS IN THE ISLAND

| Senor Gonzalo de Quesada, the diplo-
| matte representative in Washington of the
| Cuban assembly, conversed most interest
| ingly today with a representative of The
| Evening Star over the conditions in Cuba,
| in behalf of whose freedom he has been
| such a jealous and potent factor. Senior
| Quesada accompanied Mr. Robert P. Porter
| on his recent visit to Gen. Maximo Gomez
| in Cuba and in his talk today he developed
the causes which led to Mr.. Porter's mis-
| sion, and gave strong presentment of the
| actual facts in connection with it and the
| real attitude and sentiment of Gomez.
Some Interesting Facts.
| "When the commission from the Cuban
assembly, headed by Gen. Calixto Garcia,
! came to Washington some time ago. said
| Senor Quesada, lit came to confer with the
authorities of the United States over the
disbandment of the Cuban army. 1t found
| that S3,o00GG0 was all that could be OBJ
| tanned for the time being, this amount to
| be expended in the discretion of President
| Mckinley. The commission did not regard
| this amount as being sufficient for the
| purposes intended, but accepted it and left
| this country and made its report to the
| Cuban assembly
| In the meantime" continued Senor Que
| sada, lit was reported that General Max
| iino Gomez was utterly opposed to the dis
| bandment of the Cuban army and that he
| intended to have the Cuban and Spanish
| elements in Cuba combine in order TO in
| sist on some action on the part of the
/ United States to carry out the pledges of
| Congress and of President Mckinley in his
| message. From newspaper reports it was
| gathered by the American public that even
| if the Cuban assembly should accept the
| $4,000, 600 and decree the disbandment of
| the Cuban army, that General Gomez would
resist carry ing out such a decree. 1t was
| for these reasons that Mr. Robert P Por-
| ter was sent to Cuba to personally confer
| with General Gomez, and he was accom-
Pallleo by me because it was thought that
General Gomez would thus have full con-
| hdence in the statements which would be
| made to him and in the fact that the
| United States and Cuba had a common OBJ
| ject in view.
The Conference With Gomez
We saw Gen. Gomez, and, after full
| conversation and d thorough exposition
| of the situation, he declared that he was
| ready to cooperate in all things with the
United States after the explanations which
had been made to him..
| The impression became prevalent" said
| Quesada, after a moments reflection, that
|
| agreement with Mr.. Porter but matter
| of fact this was not the case. Gen. Gomez
| simply expressed his personal assent to
the plan developed by Mr. Porter. Gen.
Gomez stated quite plainly that he had de-
piored the treatment which he had there
tcfore received from the representatives of
| the United States government, who hao
| completely ignored him, but that now he
| cCu.d very properly offer himself to aid in
| settling the conditions in Cuba and to act
| as the representative of the Cubans in the
! distribution of the $3,000,O00 which the COM
| mission of the Cuban assembly had ac-
| cepted in this country His action, how
| ever, was in no wise to be interpreted as
| opposing the assembly or as arrogating TO
himself any of the assembly's powers.
| Misrepresentations Corrected.
Some people," continued Quesada, have
| recently published old letters of Gen.
| Gomez, pretending that they were written
after his conference with Mr.. Porter IN
| order to endeavor to show that Gen. Gomez
| had reconsidered his intention to aid in the
reconstruction of Cuba. This was a great
| injustice to Gen. GemeZ. Then, too, 1t
| was stated that although Gen. Gomez had
accepted Gen. Brookeis invitation TO come
| to Havana that he had reconsidered this
determination ard would visit all other
towns except Havana.
Prestige of Gomez.
'.The truth of the matter is that Gen.
WAS received with Sucil llestity
ovations in all the cities of Santa Clara
| and Matanzas provinces that his progress
| to Havana was necessarily slow. This suf-
| ficientiy proves the intense devotion felt
| for Gen. Gomez by the people of Cuba, ire
spective of politics, and shows his great
prestige. 1t indicates, too, very forcibly
| the immense service he will give in aiding
| the reconstruction of the island by CO.
operating with the United States. His ad-
vance to Havana has bpen mark60--Dy the
utmost cordiality on the part of the Amer
| leans, while all classes in Cuba have wed
| with each other to do him honor.
by tomorrow Gen. Gomez will have ar
| rived in Havana, where great preparations
| have been made to honor him. With Gen.
| Gomez and the Cuban assembly united in
| order to aid in the reconstruction of the
! island the problem confronting the United
| States will be made simpler every day
An Awakening in Cuba.
How did you find the actual conditions
| in Cuba?'' queried the reporter.
II was much gratifed at the general
| awakening among the people, was the re-
| sponse, "and particularly at the absolute
confidence felt in the United States and its
| intentions. Absolute security to life and
| property is now assured In Cuba and cap
| ital need not be timd about venturing there,
where the opportunities are SO "abundant
| and full of promise. =
| european capital Is edsSiiS SheSiiiS INC
| island but American. fnanciers seem to
hold back. The Cubans are seeking union
| with the SpaniaFds who want to remain In
the island, with purpose of helping in it's
reconstruction for the, advantage of all.
| found sad remainssof Weylers crimes IN
! the hospitals and orphan asylums. aAxksl
| would like through The Star, which has
| been SO constant and strong champion
| of Cuba's cause, toBappeal to the people
| for necessities for the sufferers-clothing,
| quinine and tonics are the chief necessi-
| ties. They may be safely sent to the may
ors of the Cuban cities and towns for dis
| tribution or can be sent to me, and Will
| forward them with gre eat pleasure.
WILL ENTER HAVANA TOMORROW.
Progress of Gen. Gomez to the Cuban
| Capital.
| According to reports received by Senior
Quesada, from Havana. Gen. Gomez is ex-
peetsd to conclude his itrnInlphal march and
enter the Cuban carata1 tomorrow, His
movement has been tsmsd so as to cores
pond with the anniversary ofathe birth of