Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-20
OF CUBANS
Cisneros Talks of His Visit to Presi-
dent Mckinley.
FEELS GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT
Doubts Whether Cuba VIII Secure
Real Liberty.
INDEPENDENCE OR DEATH


court, the former president of the provi-
siona1 Cuban republic, to President Mckin-
ley last Saturday afternoon was not a very
satisfactory one to the Cuban patriot, who
had hoped for more positive assurances
concerning the future of the island than he
received. Mr.. Cisneros presented a
mortal to the President, the chief feature
of which was protest against any out
side interference with the Cuban people in
the formation Of their constitution. Mr..
Cisneros was seen by Star reporter after
his visit to the White House, and he talked
freely, both Of his interview with Mr.. Nc
kinley and his views regarding the outlook
for the Cuban people. He did not disguise
his fear that the administration might not
keep the promise of Congress that Cuba
should be free. If the Cubans did not get
their independence before the election is
over. he said. he did not think they would
get 1t at all in any peaceable way. He did
not consider that the election of Bryan
would be of any benefit to the Cubans. He
very clearly showed his suspicion that the
move made by the administration looking
to the independence of Cuba would result
in form of independence which would not
be independence in fact, and he showed
ed gerneSs to have some positive action
taken before the elections in November.
President Will Reply Later.
President, Mr. Cisneros was told that an
answer would be made to it. and yesterday
he went to New York where he will wait
a few days, and If no communication is
forthcoming he will return to Havana. The
old Cuban patriot declared that the Cubans
wanted either their independence or death
but he did not say what the people of the
island would do If they fail to secure abso-
lutte independence. preferring to cross that
bridge when he comes TO it.
A Star reporter found Mr.. Cisneros in the
lobby of the Raleigh Hotel Saturday even
Ing. The old patriot. VINO is seventy years
of age, had just returned to his hotel tired
Out with the days exertion. He was alone
and was evidently disappointed with his
visit to the White House Cisneros in 1S4S
when boy of eighteen years, took an ac-
tive part In an insurrectonary movement
against the Spanish government in Cuba
and ever since that time he has been one
OF the most prominent figures of Cuba in
Its struggle for independence. He was
governor of Camaguay during the first year
of the ten years war which began In 1863.
Then he was president of the Cuban senate
from 1863 to 1874. when for two years he
was president of the republic, leaving that
office to again become president Of the SEN
ate. Again when the Cuban people took
up arms against Spain in 1895 Cisneros
became president of the provisional repub-
lie and retained that office until the end of
the war. He Is now a member of the Gu
ban assembly.
Il presented President Mckinley with
an exposition on the election law Of Cuba
and in regard to the convention that is TO
be held in September, and he tod me he
would examine the exposition and would
let me know later what he thinks about
it" said Mr. Cisneros. Il explained some
Of the main features of this exposition to
the President. He told me to give ii to
the Secretary of War which / did This
exposition favors, allowing to make our
own constitution without the interference
of anybody-not even the government OF
ha nj Tod a n h1. ripH
the assembly composed of sixty-two in
stead of thirty-one representatives
Cuba Wants a Navy.
General Lacret and Rev. DR.. Musteier
accompanied me to the White House, and
General Lacret, VINO is the president of the
society Of the marine in Havana. also pre-
sented another exposition, asking that
Cuba be allowed to provide herself with a
navy at once. and the President said he
would also examine that and reply to it
later"
Mr.. Cisperos said he thought Cuba should
have haG her independence long ago, and
when asked how further delays might oc-
cur in securing 1t. said:
IF the United States government should
make objections to our constitution, that
would delay it great deal
How do you regard the management OF
Gen. Wood In Cuba?' the reporter asked.
THAT is very difficult for 10 answer"
he replied, because we do not see the ad
Vantage of it
do you think the island should be i'm
medately turned over 10 the Cubans?"
Yes | do. ! think the island would
progress faster without the government we
now have 1t would progress better if we
had our independence | think everybody
would have more confidence in the manage
ment Of the island by Cubans. and capital
lists would go there more readily. They do
not go there because there is nothing sure
about the government Any kind of gov
could ha bpt fer
than the way 1t is. You will find that same
condition in your own business. If you
have changing policy, doing one way to-
day and another way tomorrow, you will
not prosper.
Il think the island should have been in
dependent since 1850. They should have
given our independence according to the
joint resolution of Congress"
When questioned concerning the Presi-
dents reception of him and reply to his
proposals Mr.. Cisneros answered:
II think he might have said more. He
dill not enter into details. nor did the Sec
retary of War. He simply said he would
take the matter under advisement."
When asked concerning the conduct of
American soldiers In Cuba, Mr.. Cisneros
said he thought they were useless there,
and 1t was against the dignity of the Gu
bans to have them there. He had no fault
to find with the way In which the troops
behave, but he didn't like the idea of hav-
ing them in Cuba. He said while they are
useless there they are subjected to yellow
fever.
I'VE never see them and they do moth
ing he said. 'They are camped ten miles
from Havana and they are kept in camp.
Their maintenance in Cuba Is useless ex-
penditure of money. And then we behave
well without the soldiers. what Is the
of having them there? There are
places in the island where the AMERICANS
have never been and perfect order is main
tained In such places"
How soon do you expect the Americans
to leave Cuba?" he was asked.
Mr.. Cisneros laughed and shook his head.
independence Before Elections.
II think If we do not get our independence !
before the elections here we will never have
1t, never" he replied. IT think IL the
President does not give us our independence
before he Is reelected he will nevr do It,
That is my way of thinking. So want to
push events to have independence before
November"
How do you feel about Bryan?NIf he
were elected would he be more favorable
than McKinley?"
Again the aged Cuban leader laughed an
he settled himself back In his easy chair,
replying:
II think just the same of Bryan. Bryan
Continued on Seventh Page.)