The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-02-07
THE PURPOSE OF
OUR GOVERNMENT
Toward the People of
Cuba.
The Military Government Of the
Island Will Give Way
To the Civil Government as Fas
As Possible.

Mr.. Robert p Porter, the envoy sent
by President Mckinley to see Gen.
Gomez, had an interview with the old
General, who is Commander-in-Chief of
Cuban army, at Remedies, the Province
of Santa Clara, Cuba, Wednesday last,
and they agreed cordially upon the
terms with which tue Cubans will CO
operate with our Government.
A dispatch from Mr.. Porter to the
President gives the following detaile:
First-The Cuban officers in each
province shall ssist the American of
fcels IN distributing the funds.
Second-That these officers shall at
once meet at some convenient point and
devise how, when and where the pay
ments are to be made and arrange any
other details.
Third-That the sum paid to each man
shall not be regarded as part payment of
salary or wages due for service rendered,
but to facilitate the disbandment of the
srmy, as relief OF suffering and as an
aid in getting the people to work.
Fourth-The Cubans shall surrender
their arms to the Cuban Assembly or to
its representatives.
Fifth-The Con- mittee on Distribution
shall use it's best endeayors to distribute
the money among the population, so that
all may secure work.
Sixth-That the 5000. 900 shall be
placed subject to the order of General
Brooke, and that action in the matter
shall be immediate.
General Gomez was rendered public
reception this evening, and Mr.. Porter
was among those present.
The Cuban commander was cordial in
greeting Mr.. Porter, and opened the in
terview by referring to the change fol-
the better which had taken place in
Cuba since he was last here in Septem-
Der. He also laid stress on the fact that
some people were asking where waf
Cuba's promised liberty.
"The answer to this" said Mr.. Porter
sis that Cuba now has commercial and
industrial liberty, and that President Nc.
Kinley has directed me in framing the
Cuban tariff to make no determinations
in favor of the United States in the man
ner that Spain favored herself. Cuba il
free today to buy in the cheapest markets
P. ople are returning to the pursuits o.
peace, and our military government will
give way to the civil government as fast
as possible"
Mr.. Porter also said that the purpose o.
| the American Government is to lay firm
foundation of a noble government fol
Cuba, and give the Cubans allthe liberties
they had fought for. President Mckinley }
needed and was entitled to the coopera
ton of all interested in the welfare and
future of Cuba, and that he needed the
cooperation of General Gomez above
all others.
The first problem, Mr.. Porter pointed
out, was the disbandment of the Cuban
army and the return of the Cuban SOL
dlers to work. This was the specific mis-
sion which had brought Mr.. Porter to
Remedies, and in which President Nc
J Kinley expected General Comes aid.
The Cuban Commander-in-c chief re-
piled that he wss ready and willing to
give the aid re equired, but ssked how be
could do so.
To this Mr.. Porter replied, that Presi-
dent Mckinley would be glad to have
him 60 to Hayana and cooperate with
General Brooke in disbsnding the Gu
bans, and in paying over the 1000 600
appropriated for that purpose.
General Gomez said the amount was
too small, but that was not his fault, and
he would make it 60 as far as possible,
while likening it to the miracle of the
loaves and fishes.
"No man in history said Mr..
Porter, "has done go much with so small
resources as you have done. Hence
your cooperation with General Brooke
will bring good results
General Gomez specially rogue sted
that the money for which Mr.. Porter had
orders in his pocket should be paid over