The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-12-06
r N rs IN THE FIELD.
He Has Entered Upon n Winter Campaign
for the Freedom of Cuba.

interest In tnht tney Hatly contradict the talSe
report about Gen. Gomez. recently sent from
Washington by q Spanish informer to a pro-
Spantsl oigan in this city. Tho unnamed in
former declared to the Washington corre-
spondont Of the New York Euenity Post, so
said this anonymous correspondent, that tho
revolutionary commander, after QunrrellinK
with bis Lieutenant. Gen. Maceo. announced
his opposition to the further continuance OF
tho war for liberty. and expressed his readi-
ness to surrender to Spain upon such condi-
tons az could be obtained. The informere en-
tered into particulars, and pretended to quo .
language which he said Gomez had uttered in
his presence. He represented that Gomez
was prepared to mako easy ter ms with Spin,
requiring merely that she should grant certain
reforms to Cuba and extend a general amnesty
to the rebels under his command. The Span
ish informer sought to make Americans be-
lieve that Gen. Gomez was ready to present
his sword to Weyler. as Gen. Robert Z. Lee
presented his sword to Gen. Grant thirty-one
years ago. When the informer had put into tho
mouth OF the revolutionary leader the words.
Let hostilities cease!" lie told OF a storm Of
wrath In the breast of Gen. Maceo. who at once
assumed the military leadership, after which
Gen. Gomez disappeared. presumab 10 turn
up in the Spanish camp with q plea to Weyler
for mercy.
The whole Of this story was false, every
word of It. 1t was told at the Spanish Legation
in Washington before 1t was tran smittej TO the
anti-Cu.An Evening Post in New York. ons of
the objects Of it was to deceive the friends of
Cuba in the United States by leading them to
believe that the revolution was on its last legs.
Another object of it was to deceive the men
fighting under Maceo In Pinar del Rio. A
despatch based upon tho informer's fabrica-
ton was cabled from New York to Havana,
--H E,~-. .I--. $500, - t-,A- 1890 t.
the Rubi Hills. for the purpose OF creating dis
satisfaction among the fighting insurgents by
giving them to understand that the Cuban
leader had given up the hope of Independence
and deserted the cause of the revolution in
which they are enlisted.
The scheme was a failure. The western
army of the Cubans has be.u.active as ever,
aas never ceased to wage war. has not suffered
in the least from dissatisfaction and has daily
manifested its heroic loyalty to the great cause.
No one in 1t has believed that Gomez Vas
faithless. Gen. Maceo himself knew Of the
falsity of the SPANS h informer's story, since
he had never taken part in the rumpus which
the mendacious informer had concocted for
tho encouragement of Spain.
BY the publication of the false report in this
; country some Americans may have been de-
ceived. They were probably unable TO account
for the long inactivity OF the chief military
leader who had won 90 great distlnction dur
Ing the first year Of the war. For many months
there had not been a word OF Information as
to his Whereabouts. He had been out of sight.
no one could guess in what part or which prov
ince of Eastern Cubs. He had lain still. month
after month. while Maceo was In q critical
situation ~,sewhere. Even when Gen. Wey-
ler took the field. early in November. at the
head OF q powerful Spanish army. for the pur-
pose of Attacking the stronghold OF Maceo,
who had O comparatively small force. Gen.
Gomez stayed in concealment. never raising
o hrEer for the relief Of his beleaguered
compatriot. His conduct was unaccountable.
1t then offered a favorable opportunity for the
Spanish informer. who at that time got out
his scandnlous fiction about Gomez's treason
to the Spanish cause.
The fraudulent character of the Spanish re-
port has now been made manifest by tho re-
newal OF military activity for tho winter on
the part of Gen. Gomez. There is no infor-
nation here concerning his plan OF campaign.
or his design in respect to Maceo. Not much
10 known beyond tho fact that he has COM
menced operations for the season. that his
army is moving in q westerly direction. that
attacks have been made upon q number Of
places by the forces under his command and
that within the past few DAYS n portion Of these
forces has carried the Cuban flag up to within
n lew mlleb OF the lOTtluCatlOnS OF Havana. IL
certainly does not look as though tho great
leader were disheartensd. 1t certainly looks
as though 1t were his purpose to deliver a blow
with all the energy of his nature. 1t even
looks as though he had designs upon the enc
my's capital.
A few weeks ago he was in the province of
Puerto Principe. where he took direction of
tho successful siege of the city of Guaimaro,
at which several hundred Spanish prisoners
were CAPTURED, and from which some needed
war material was obtained. He was then In
fine spirits. Soon a~fterward. or less than q
fortnight ago, news was received that his
troops had entered tho province of Matanzas.
adjoining the province OF Havana. In the
week Just past there have been reports of the
appearance Of his advance guard In the last
named province, and of the attack upon tho
town of Guanabacoa, which lies but four or
five miles 10 the eastward of the city Of Ha-
vana. 1t WAS only n raid. and was made in q
region far ahead Of the main body of the revo-
lutionary army. which is said to number co.
600 men; but it IS significant of u purpose, the
development of which must yet awhile be
waited for. The cry Gomez is comingY" has
been raised In province after province, has
created alarm among the Spanish sarrisons
along the line, and has sounded within hearing
of the troops that occupy the chief citadel of
the enemy. Supply depots have been cstab-
lished on the way, from which the soldiers of
freedom can obtain provisions.
These facts are now known. Their bearing
upon the more serious work that must be un-
dertakon, II the revolution is to be successful,
can only be guessed at. 1t may be Gomez's
design 10 make Il diversion in favor of Maceo.
lie may ATTEMPT to cross the trocha. He may
seek an opportunity to assail Weyler's rear or
Hank, Ho may turn his cannon, II that he
possible. upon Havana. 1t is a significant cir
cumstance that no has in some way procured
a numb"r OF pieces o. artillery. The lack of
this weapon OF war in past tines upon the rev.
stationary side-has served as a restraining in
fuence, upon all the Cuban forces In the fold.
Spain has had an abundance OF artillery all
through the war. Cuba has not had a single
cannon until a very recent time. In conse-
guence Spain has been able TO meet Cuba at
long range. while Cuba could strike Spain
only AT rloho quarters. II 10 to be hoped that
Gomez has more large cannon, as well as more
Tlhes' tiaIi lie Is supposed to be in possession Of.
II he has half MS many cannon as he ought TO
nave Iof an army Of the size OF that which he
fortunes of the war.
IT cannot be told why Gomez has STAYED out
or SlRnt ANA remained ina,,fIya fpr so long IL