The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-04-25

He Favors American Proseetorate Un-
I'll Cuba IL Completely Facilitated.
TOIssue aWanifesto-Decreased Death
Rate I'm Havana

Rate I'm Havana
Havana, April 19.-General Maxine
Gomez has determined TO to
the people Of Cuba his support OF an
American protectorate until such time
as a stable. independent government
may be founded This announcement
would have been made tomorrow. had
he been able to work upon the mani
festo today; but tina was impractical
bic, because he passed the entire time
with his two sons and his daughter,
who will sail for Santo Domingo to-
morrow.
To the correspondent OF the Associ-
ated Press, General Gomez made it
known that he intends TO take this
step after consulting the views of the
leading men in his following. He is
content to cooperate with the Amer
leans until the island is pacihed. the
rural police organized, the Cuban SOL
disry at work and insular reconstruc-
ton far advanced. No definite period
Tor the occupation by the Americans
will be mentioned. but the manifesto
Will avo a cessation OF the agitation
Tor the Immediate withdrawal OF the
United States troops.
The declaration will be so worded
as to retain the support Of those who
desire independence, yet viii illustrate
the necessity Of American assistance.
Governor General Brook is aware OF
the purposes of Gomez, and has talked
with him about them. The announce
ment Will include a recital Of the per-
sonal views Of the Cuban commander
n-chief regarding the So. 900. 600. on
this point he will say that he fayors
buying plantations and factories In
which soldiers could hold stock. draw
ing wages and dividends. but as the
soldiers need shoes, clothing and some
thing to tide them over present neces-
stiles. the money should be paid out
now. He thinks the rural police should
be one body SO that attachments liy-
ing in one part of the island might be
sent, on emergency, into districts
where they would not be affected by
| local influences.
rive Havana newspapers now ad-
Vocate to the United States.
Ell Rec~oncentrado prints today a carl
cature of Gomez driving over the flags
OF SAINT Domingo, Spain and Cuba and
f1ylnS the American flag. The paper
asks: What next?"
General Alexandra Rodriguez. as the
new chief of police. will have command
VI d ger IoFCe IMAM ne ever had be-
fore-9O0 men in Havana and 300 ru-
rales. AS he possesses the power 10
dismiss or appoint, unrestrained by
statutes or boards, he can make the
force personally devoted 10 himself. As
the largest and most compact BODY Of
| Cubans, armed and disciplined. located
in the capital, the police would be a
powerful political weapon should the
American ithdraw The latter believe.
however, that the new chief will use
his position with moderation and fair
| ness.
The Cuban general Del Gado, who,
with four bands Of Cubans, has been
out in search of bandits since Sunday,
has telegraphed General Gomez and
General Lex that he has found a band
and is in hot pursuit of them. General
Lee sent a company Of the Seventh
cavalry, under Captain Sickle, to join
them.
The sanitary department records
show that the number of deaths IN Ha-
vana in 1895 was 1925, in the following
year 1927; in 1897 no fewer h IL. $40.
and last year 20,19S. For the month of
January Of the present year the death
rate reached 1,139; in February the
total was $50; last month it was 759,
and for the first fifteen days of April
the total numbe of deaths was 228.
The loans and contributions Of the
citizens to feed General Gomez and his
bodyguard today include cases of gro
ceries, fish, tomatoes and bread enough
| for four days supply.