The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-02-03

General Maxine Gomez, the commander
in-chief of the Cuban army. placed him
self squarely In position today as an active
ally OF the United States government In
the work of reconstruction of Cuba.
As a result of the conference which Rob
crt p. Porter, the special commissioner OF
President Mckinley, has had with General
Gomez, the latter cabled TO President Nc
INnley this afternoon assuring him Of his
cooperation in dsbanding the Cuban army
and In distributing among the Cuban SOL
diers the s3,O00,000 appropriated for the
purpose of enabling them to return to their
homes. General Gomez also telcgraphcd to
Major General Brooke saying he would ac-
cept the latter's invitation to go to Ha-
vana
The success of Mr.. Porter's mission
greatly simplifes the returning of the mil
itary Cubans to the pursuits of peace.
In view of General Gomez's supposed
prior attitude OF hostility toward the
United States Mr.. Porter came here
clothed with absolute authority and the
tendcr of the $3000,000 was practically
verbal ultimatum. Had 1t not been ac-
cepted no more ultimatums would have
been made.
Mr. Porter made plain the purpose of the
government and was gratihed at the ready
response of Gomez. The conference took
place at the house here occupied by the
Cuban general as his headquarters since
coming to town. In brief the compact Is
as follows:
/. The Cuban officers in each province
shall assist the American officers in dis
tributing the funds.
2, That these officers shall at once meet
at some convenient point and devise how.
when and where the payments are TO be
made, and arrange any other details.
8. That the sum paid to each man shall
not be regarded as part payment of salary
or wages due to service rendered, but to
facilitate the disarmament of the army,
as n relief of suffering and as an aid in
getting the people to work.
H. The Cubans shall surrender their
arms to the Cuban assembly or TO its repre-
sentatives.
5. The committee on distribution shall
use its best endeayor to distribute it
among the population so that all may Sc
cure work.
g. That the 100000 shall be placed
subject to the order of General Brooke.
and that action in the matter shall be i'm
mediate.
Gomez was rendered public reception
this evening and Mr.. Porter was among
those present
When MIR. Porter arrived here last week
he was accompanied by Senior Gonzales
Quosada, the special commissioner of the
Cuban junta at Washington; Captain
Campbell Of General Brookes staff, Lieu
tenant Hanna of General Woods staff and
II correspondent of the Associated Press
General Gomez had gone TO his camp this
morning, but he returned. accompanied
by his staff and Atty men on various kinds
of mounts.
They rode past the hotel where Mr.. Por-
ter WAS stopping, around the plaza and Into
side street to the Cuban quarters Gen
eral Gomez was seen by Senior Quesada
this evening. and after an hours confer
ence. Mr.. Porter, accompanied by senior
! Qucsada, Captain Campbell and Lieutenant
Hanna, was received by General Gomez.
! The old general wore no insignia of mis-
rank. He was dressed in a linen coat and
| dark trousers.
| The Cuban commander cordially greeted
| Mr.. Porter, opening the interview by re-
I ferring to the change for the better which
| had taken place in Cuba's condition since
September. He laid great stress on the
fact that many people were asking where
was Cuba's promised liberty?
1.-THE answer to this" said Mr.. Porter.
| ''ls that Cuba now has commercial and in
dustrial liberty, and that President MeI(n-
| ley has directed me, In framing the Cuban
| tariff to make no DETERMINATIONS in fa
vor of the United States in the manner
| that Spain favored herself. Cuba is free
pie are returning to the pursuits of peace,
and our military government VIII give way
to the civil government as fast as posi-
BILE"
Mr.. Porter also said that the purpose of
the American government was TO lay a Arm
foundation OF noble government for Cuba,
TO give the Cubans all the liberties they
had fought for and that General Gomez
must remember that and more still. For
instance, there are $4,000 or 10000 Spanish
soldiers at cienfuegos who have not left
Cuba: that they had only been month on
the island. and that President Mckinley
needed and was entitled to the cooperation
OF all interested in the welfare and future
of Cuba and that he needed the co-opera-
ton of General Gomez above all others.
The first problem, Mr. Porter then pointed
out. was the disbandment of the Cuban
army and the return Of the Cuban soldiers
to work. This was the specific mission
which had brought Mr.. Porter TO Rene
dos and in which President Mckinley ex-
| pected General Gomez 10 aid The COM
mander- in-chief OF the Cubans replied that
| ne was ready ard willing to give the aid
| required, but asked how he could do so,
To this Mr.. Porter replied that Prcsi-
| dent Mckinley would be glad to have him
| no to Havana and cooperate with General
| Brooke in disbanding the Cuhans and in
paying over the s3.00o.o00 Appropriated for
! that purpose General Gomez said the
amount was too small but that was not
| his fault, and he would make II go as far
! as possible, while likening II TO the miracle
OF the loaves and fishes,
.No man In history said General Co
| mez. has done so much with so small an
amount as have done" He especially re-
| oucsted that the money, for which Mr..
| Porter had orders in his pocket. should be
ppid over TO General Brooke and not 10 him
| self. MS he did not want the personal re-
| sponslbility OF keeping II.
| The Cuban general assured Captain
Campbell Of his good feeling toward Cen
| eral Brooke and the formal compact was
presented TO General Gomez by Mr.. Porter
| and asssnted TO by General Gomez
Immediately after yesterdays confar-
ence General Gomez wrote the following
| letter TO President Mckinley:
President Mckinley;
Republic az Cuba. HeadqnarterE OF tho
Army. Remedies. February !. 1soa,-It has
been a great pleasure 10 me 10 confer With
4 your commissioner. Mr., Porter, introduced
by my friend Qucsada, and 7 an, now
aware Of and plcased with your wishes.
In q short time shall 80 10 Havana and
confer with General Brooke. ! will CO.