"PRIZES: To encourage students, the School will distribute prizes every year, consisting of medals, books, instruments, tools, etc.

"One prize will be given for every 25 students; "honourable mention" will besides be made of others.

"Only those rated first-cla.s.s in each course may be awarded prizes.

"There will be extraordinary prizes, awarded by compet.i.tion, during the first fortnight of September.

"DIPLOMAS: Students will be given at the end of the third year a certificate or diploma of general instruction and apprenticeship of the trade they may have followed, if their practical work of the three years' course is considered satisfactory.

"Those finishing a special course are ent.i.tled to a diploma, after a theoretical and practical examination. These examinations may be solicited at any time excepting during July and August. Those failing in their first examinations will have to wait at least two months before being examined again.

"A certificate of the studies followed and practical work done by each student will accompany every diploma.

"The Director,

"FERNANDO AGUADO Y RICO.

"HAVANA, August, 1898.

"SCHOOL: _Diputacion Provincial_, 32 Empedrado St.

"SHOPS: Belascoain St., between Maloja and Sitios Sts."

The following figures indicate what amount of public money goes to the cause of education in Cuba:

University $120,650 Department of Secretary of Public Instruction 58,300 Professional School 18,300 Drawing and Fine Arts School 8,750 Normal School for Schoolmasters and Schoolmistresses 25,147 -------- Total $231,147

The munic.i.p.alities in all the Island pay $775,646 for 888 schools for boys and girls (1893), four per cent. on all munic.i.p.al taxes taken from this.

The Provincial Elementary State Schools are paid by the _Diputaciones Provinciales._ (Paid out of _cedula_ tax.)

In 1893 they (the _Diputaciones Provinciales_) paid:

Havana $ 37,550 Pinar del Rio (closed) 12,650 Matanzas 14,650 Santa Clara 15,900 Puerto Principe 14,650 Santiago de Cuba 15,900 -------- Total $110,400

The religion of the Island is Roman Catholic, and no other religious bodies are permitted to exercise their belief in public, although no interference has ever been attempted with individual belief so long as the individual was careful not to interfere with the established religion. There are no churches of any kind except Catholic and Baptist.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE CATHEDRAL, SANTIAGO DE CUBA.]

From the beginning until 1788 the Island consisted of a single diocese with the seat of the bishop at Santiago de Cuba, which has always been the religious centre; but in that year the diocese of Havana was created, with a bishop in charge, and Santiago was erected into a bishopric with an archbishop. The religious festivals and celebrations at Santiago are observed with an attempt at magnificence nowhere else approached on the Island.

The priests of the Island are appointed by the archbishop and bishop, and as a rule the Captain-General has not interfered to any extent with religious matters. Generally speaking, the Cuban men, outside of the profession of the Church, do not pay much attention to religious observances, leaving that duty mainly to the women.

The Church has always been a State inst.i.tution and receives its regular annual allowance in the budget, in addition to its private income, which is not small. In 1894 the amount given by the Government amounted to $385,588. Under the new order there will be no union of Church and State, neither will there be any interference with the religious belief and practice of the people. Every denomination will have equal rights in New Cuba.

CHAPTER XXVIII

A VISIT TO GENERAL GOMEZ

"The following account of the author's official visit to General Gomez has an important bearing on the future of the Island, and is deemed of enough importance to insert here in full.

WASHINGTON, D. C., February 6, 1899.

_Hon. Lyman F. Gage, Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D.C._

SIR:

Acting in accordance with your instructions, and after consulting, as you suggested, the President, Secretary of State, and Secretary of War, I proceeded on the afternoon of Friday, January 27th, to Havana. Arriving in Havana Monday morning, January 30th, I called upon Major-General John R. Brooke, Governor-General and Commander of the United States forces in Cuba, and presented the following letter from the Secretary of War:

"WAR DEPARTMENT, "WASHINGTON, D.C., "January 27, 1899.

"DEAR SIR:

"Hon. Robert P. Porter, Commissioner appointed by the President to investigate and report upon the general tax questions of the Island of Cuba, goes to Cuba to investigate those matters further, and also to confer with you upon matters that he will suggest to you.

"Mr. Porter has the entire confidence of the President, who directs that any subject he may bring to your attention shall receive your careful and immediate attention and co-operation.

"Very truly yours, "R. A. ALGER, "Secretary of War.

"Major-General J. R. Brooke, "Military Governor and Division Commander, "Havana, Cuba."

General Brooke was informed that the President wished to bring about an informal and friendly conference between the commander of the United States army in Cuba and General Maximo Gomez, commander-in-chief of the Cuban forces, for the purpose of promoting harmony, disbanding the Cuban army, and aiding the people of the Island, now under arms, to return again to their peaceful occupations. General Brooke was furthermore informed that the sum of $3,000,000 was available for the relief of the Cuban army as soon as some practical plan could be arranged for its distribution; and that in this distribution it was the President's wish that General Gomez should be consulted. The question of the payment of the Cuban troops had been brought before your Commissioner by a commission of Cuban gentlemen, December 14th, and a report made thereon to you January 13th.[20] This report, together with the following memoranda left with the Secretary of War by the Secretary of the Cuban Commission, was submitted to General Brooke.

"MEMORANDA

"Suggestions presented by Colonel J. R. Villalon of the Cuban Commission regarding the distribution of funds appropriated and to be expended on behalf and for the relief of the Cuban army.

"1. A Cuban officer should co-operate with the American disbursing officer for the distribution of funds.

"2. The $100 to be paid per person is to be in part payment of his dues.

"3. Cubans shall surrender their arms to the Cuban a.s.sembly or its appointed representatives.

"4. Immediate action is necessary.

"WASHINGTON, D. C.

"January 26, 1899."

It was explained to General Brooke that the President did not wish this money or any part thereof to be paid out as part payment of salaries or dues, but simply as a relief to the army and an a.s.sistance to those willing to lay down their arms and return to peaceful pursuits. General Brooke entered cordially into these plans and said he would be glad to welcome General Gomez to Havana and avail himself of the General's co-operation in the manner suggested. To this end General Brooke gave your Commissioner the following letter of introduction to General Gomez: