The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-01-05
CUBAN CABINET ANNOUNCED
by the Newspapers First
Step Toward a uba Government.

Havana, December 31.-Tne names of
the members of General Woods cabinet
have been announced as follows:
Secretary Of state and Government
Diego Tanayo.
Secretary Of Justice-Luis Estevez.
Secretary OF Education-Juan Bap-
ltiSta Hernandez.
Secretary OF Fin2nce-Enrique Varo-
ma
Secretary CT Public works-Jose Ra-
mon Villalon.
Secretary OF Agriculture, Industry
and Commerc-Generai Rus Rivera
All of these names, with the keep
ltion Of that of Senior Hernandez, have
been expected for the past few days
The mention OF Senior Hernandez as
secretary OF education came as a sur
prise. He holds an important professor
ship in the university and is prominent
in Cuban national affairs.
Now that General Wood has appoint
ed his secretaries, he say le hopes that
I~officeSeekers VIII, for the most part,
transfer their attentions TO those Off
Iciaks. giving him time to attend to nee
lessary business. The entire press
speaks favorably OF the appointments,
land h secretaries themselves are con-
lfident OF a successful administration.
Senior Tamayo said: II am firmly
convinced that under General Wood the
secretaries he a chosen will be able
Ito do a great deal toward laying the
foundations of Cuban government. If
they had not had entire confidence in
General Woods ability n sincerity
they would o ave accepted office.
Politics is not my own line, and / will
sustain considerable loss in having to
abandon the practice of my profession;
but / am a Cuban and ready to serve
Cuba When the secretaries have had
la meeting and agreed upon a general
policy after an exchange of ideas / may
be able to discuss it fnteligently- 1t
seems to me that the secretaries have
been Well chosen, and / expect that all
wifi pull weH together"
General Wood, said General Rivera,
lis an easy man to work with, and in
spires confidence by his candor, CONT
lnuity of oppose and perfect knowledge
Iof his own mind. / believe that the
basis of a good constitution can be laid
by the new secretaries. General Wood
lis just the man for the position he holds
land the country is disposed to trust
him, although, of course Il is too soon
It speak with absolute assurance"
THE secretaries nav been We'll chos-
said Senior Verona. They are
2 - ilNI. "a VIZ
finance, my guiding principle will be
Ito reorganiZe the finance system of the
municipalities. I expect hat the work
will be more or less plain sailing as the
customs are now we'll organized. So
also is the department of Posts. Both
departments are running themselves.
In view of the fact that Cuba for some
to come will have to import many
necessities, I shall endeavor to have
the customs charges lowered. My idea
is that the public expenses Of the island
should not be entirely betrayed, a at
present, out of the customs receipts.
Senior Arturo Arostegui, Deputy Col
of customs, has been suspended
ON account of the recent alleged frauds
by appraisers, through which, judging
from the increase of receipts during the
last few days without any apparent in
in the amount Of shipping, The
government must have been robbed dali
lily for some time Of from$10, 900 to $4,000
1T is not believed, however, i'm official
~|circles that Senior Arostegui has been
guilty of amy irregularities, although
sufficient evidence has been laid before
collector Bliss to warrant his suspeH-
sion. pending investigation.