The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-03
MAKING GOMEZ WILL AID
In the DISARMAMENT of the Cuban
Army.
HE WILL GO TO HAVANA
Three Millions Will Be Distributed to the
Troops and They Will Return to the
Pursuits Of Peace = Porter's
Mission Successful.

Remedies, Santa Clara, Cuba, Feb. 1,
via Havana, Feb. 2.-Maximo Gomez,
the commander-in-chef of the Cuban
army, has placed himself squarely in
position to-day as an active ally of the
United States government in the work
Of the reconstruction of Cuba. AS a
result of a conference which Robert P.
Porter, special commissioner of Presi-
dent Mckinley, has had with Gomez,
the latter cabled to Mckinley this after
noon assuring him Of Gomezs co-opera-
ton in disbanding the Cuban army and
in distributing among the Cuban SOL
diers the $4,000 appropriated for the
purpose of enabling them to return to
their homes. Gomez also telegraphed
to Major General Brooke, saying ne
go to Havana. :.
The success OF Porter's mission great
ly smplifies the return of the military
Cubans to pursuits of peace. In view of
Gomez's supposed prior attitude of hos
tility towards the United States, Porter
|
ity and tender Of S30OO,OO0 was practi-
cally a verbal ultiMatum. Had it no;
been accepted no mere proposals would
have been made. In brief the compact
follows:
First-The Cuban officers in each
province shall assist American officers
in distributing the funds.
Second-These officers shall at once
meet at some convenient point and de-
wise when and where settlements are to
be made and arrange any other de-
tails.
Third-The sum paid to each man
shall not be regarded as part payment
of salary or wages due for services rem
dered, but to facilitate the disbandment
or the army, as relief of suffering
and aid in getting the people to work.
Fourth-The Cubans shall surrender
their arms to the Cuban assembly or to
its representatives. .
Fifth-The committee on distribution
shall use it's best efs19dvors TO distribute
it among the population. so all may Sc
cure work.
Sixth-The $3,000,00O shall be placed
subject to. the order of General Brooks
and action in the matter shall be imme-
date.
When Mr.. Porter arrived here last
week he was accompanied by Senor
Gonzales Quesada the special commits
sioner of the Cuban junta at Washing
ton; Captain Campbell of General
Brooke's staff: Lieutenant Hanna of
General Woods staff and correspond
ent OF the associated press. General
Gomez had gone to his camp this morn
ing, but he returned, accompanied by
his staff and 53 horsemen on various
kinds of mounts. They rode past the
hotel where Mr.. Porter was stopping,
around the plaza and to a side street
to the Cuban headquarters. General
Gomez was seen by Senor Quesada this
afternoon, and after an hours confer
ence this afternoon Mr.. Porter, accom-
panied by Senior Quesada, Captain
Campbell and Lieutenant Hanna, was
received by General Gomez in his par
lor up one flight of stairs and in the
presence of his staff.
The old general wore no insignia of
his rank. He was dressed in linen
coat and dark trousers and had a silk
handkerchief over his coat collar He
also wore a black tie and showed a
heavy silver watch and chain with
cross attached to it.
The Cuban commander was cordial
in greeting Mr. Porter and opened the
interview by referring to the change
for the better which had taken place
in Cuba since he was here in Septem-
ber. He also laid stress on the fact
tnat some people We're asking Where
was Cuba's promised liberty.
THE answer is this" said Mr. Por-
ter that Cuba now has commercial
and industrial liberty and that Presi-
dent Mckinley has directed me in
framing the Cuban tariff to make no
determinations in favor of the United
States in the manner that Spain fa-
vored herself cuba is free to-day to
buy in the cheapest market. The peo-
itc Of
peace and our military government will
give way to civil government as fast
as possible
Mr.. Porter also said that the pur-
pose of the American government was
to lay the foundation of a noble gov
ernment. for Cuba to give the Cubans
all the liberty they had fought for and
that General Gomez must remember
that and more still. For instance there
We're $4,000 to 10000 Spanish soldiers at
Cienfuegos who had not left Cuba; that
we had only been month on the island
and that President Mckinley needed
and was entitled to the co-operatio of
all interested in the welfare and future
of Cuba and that he needed the CO.
operation 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 Gu
ban soldiers to work. This was the
specific mission which had brought
Mr Porter to Remedies, and in which
President Mckinley expected General
Gomez's aid
The Cuban commander in chief re-
piled that he was ready and willing TO
give the aid required, but asked how
he could do so. To this Mr.. Porter re-
piled that President Mckinley would be
glad to have him go to Havana and CO.
operate with General Brooke in dis
banding the Cubans and in paying over
the SO, O0O 900 appropriated for that pur-
pose.
General Gomez said the amount was
too small but that was not his fault
and he would make it go as far as
possible, while likening it to the miracle
of the loaves and fishes.
mo man in history" said Mr. Por-
ter has done SO much with so small
resources as you have done. Hence
your cooperation with General Brooke
will bring good results"
General Gomez especially requested
that ,,,,,ay which Mr. portar