[Inclosure in No. 405.]
General Headquarters,
Baire, November 6, 1897. (Third of Independence.)
To the commanding generals of the first, second, and third army corps of eastern Cuba:
Duly informed through the press that the Spanish Government is offering autonomy with the intention by these means to subdue the revolution, or at least to bring about disturbances in our ranks and weaken our cause, this general headquarters reminds you that the spirit and letter of our constitution does not admit with Spain any treaty whatever that is not based upon the absolute independence of Cuba. In accordance with this I will be inexorable, submitting to a summary trial, and will consider as traitors all civil or military officers of whatever rank receives messages, commissions, or has any intercourse with the enemy, as the supreme government of the republic is the only one authorized, and listen to any overtures that may be made, and even the government will only listen to proposals acknowledging the absolute independence of Cuba by the Spanish Government. All persons who come within our lines commissioned by the enemy with proposals to submit to Spain will be tried and punished as spies.
In order to avoid any ignorance being professed on the subject, you will circulate this communication among your subordinates, posting this order during eight days at your headquarters and have it read in the presence of the troops.
Country and liberty.
Commander in Chief of the Department of the East.
Baire is a small village lying about 54 miles from the city of Santiago.
Mr. Hyatt to Mr. Day.
No. 407.]
Santiago de Cuba, November 20, 1897.
Sir: For the benefit of the Department of State I send the inclosed list of civil officers of the insurgent government of Cuba, elected and installed at Yaya, in the province of Porto Principe October 20.
There is rumor of renewed activity on the part of the rebels of eastern Cuba, commanded by Gen. Calixto Gracea, and the shipment of all available Spanish soldiers to Manzanillo corroborates the report.
The Spanish residents of the island are becoming very outspoken in favor of closing the war and annexation to the United States. There are numerous inquiries among them of how they can become citizens of our Government. There are also quite a number of Spanish soldiers making the same inquiry. The business Spaniards here declare that they are tired of doing business at a loss, and that peace and prosperity can only come by annexation. Many are greatly disappointed that the United States consul can not make American citizens of them at once.
With highest, etc.,
United States Consul.
[Inclosure with No. 407.]
List of insurgent officials elected and installed at Yaya Porte Principe, Cuba, October 20, 1897:
Vice-president, Domingo Mendez, Capote.
Secretary of war, Jose B. Alerman.
Secretary of the treasury, Earnisto Font Stearling.
Secretary of foreign affairs, Andres Moreno de la Torre.
Secretary of the interior, Manuel R. Silva.
General-in-chief, Maximo Gomez.
Lieutenant-general, Calixto Gracea.