The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-05-19
GOMEZ TO THE CUBANS
Has Issued Manifesto Justifyiug
His Course.
PRAISE FOR GEN. BROOKE
Explains Why the Negotiations Failed,
He Did Not Act Alone-Always
Consulted With His Officers.
Gives Good Advice.

Havana, May 1S.-The expected man.
ifesto of General Maximo Gomez was
issued this evening. 1t reviews his part
in the negotiations with General Brooke
and speaks of his love for Cuba and his
sufferings in her behalf in the past.
General Gomez says:
1.-The hour has now arrived for me to
course and to describe the arduous
work I have done since my first visit
to General Brooke. l protested to him
against the sum offered by the United
States as insufficient to accomplish the
intended end. While awaiting an an
swer to my protest | sought a solution
of the question:. General Brooke, rep
resenting the chief magistrate of the
United States, announced his inability
to add to the sum already settled upon.
Spectators then attempted to inter
vene, offering suggestions which were
refused by me. They presented prop
osition to the military assembly, but the
scheme was frustrated by President Nc
Kinley's refusal to recognize that body.
| deemed the formation of a militia
practical solution, and General Brooke
who approved the idea. asked me for
summary Of my views on the subject.
To this l replied that 10 900 men were all
it will be possible to get from the for
mer Cuban army, without distinction
to race. My answer was sent to Presi-
dent Mckinley, together with a per-
sona1 letter giving explicit reasons why
such course was necessary.
Il had many conferences with Cen
eral Brooke in my endeaVors to dis
cover such a plan of payment as would
not exclude the men who had never
carried arms. General Brooke insisted
upon the surrender of arms before the
receipt of money. and I also desired
that such arms as had already been
surrendered and such as should be sur
rendered hereafter might be delivered
to warehouses, in the care of Cuban
armorers, to be paid out of the Cuban
treasury. I do not think it disgrace
that the Cuban soldiers should receive
from a government which is able to pay
sums which would relieve their imme-
diate needs. Special certificates will be
given to all, redeemable by the Cuban
republic, so soon as it is established.
I 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 mean
time to guard as leiics OF meritori-
Gus struggle. In my judgment, wheth-
er the arms were disposed, of to the mu-
inequalities or the armorers it would be
all the same under the intervening
government The Cuban commissioners,
however, refused to agree with General
Brooke and the Americans, and de-
| clined to fix dates and places where the
Cuban soldiers could deliver up their
arms and receive payment from the
American paymasters after identifica-
tion by their respective Chiefs
After further praise of General
Brookes consideration" and a declara-
| ton of his own desire to correct an
| error existing in Cuba with respect to
| the United States he goes on to say:
Il did not act alone, as seems to be
| popularity believed, but always con-
suited with our officers. My advice to
| you now is to return to your homes
with the amounts offered by the inter-
| vening government and to work in pa
| tfence, which will be a practicable
| proof of your heroism. In this way we
| shall reconstruct most rapidly the
homes consecrated by the blood of mar
| tyrs, blood poured out in behalf of
| purpose now attained, and thus begin
this cycle of liberty with the grandest
| prospects, preceded by the heralds of
| future prosperity and peace.
This work is your portion. Let no
| preteXt 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 a noble nation
! pledged to obtain for us our rights.
Meanwhile I shall remain where
am generously invited, among the Gu
bans. / shall work without cessation
| for our aspirations, and in a narrow
| sphere assigned me if necessary. And
| if it happens that all the logical and
i just methods shall be exhausted with
out the desired result, 1 will go to
| Washington, and there tell of Cuba
and her sacred ideals of an independent
republic, and will arbitrate the destiny
| of our country, baptised with blood
and sanctified with our love of indepen-
dence 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 and liberty
which we covet in the name of right,
civilization. Justice and democracy .