Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-28

per. The head correspondent was in Ha-
vana. Upon the advent Of Weyler the lat
ter became frightened, and, fearing he
might get into trouble with "the butcher"
repudiated his correspondent who was with
the rebels. Gomez, learning this, charged
Rays with being spy and ordered him
Snot. RAYS, OF course, protested and ask
ed that four days be allowed him in which
to communicate with friends in Havana
and establish his claim to being a newspa-
per man. He then wrote q note to The Star
correspondent, and Gen. Gomez was in
formed by return mail that Rays was your
correspondents assistant. His life was
spared, and he has since done some very
sood work In the Cuban cause
Gen. Gomez to The Star.
IN THE FIELD, NEAR SANTA CRUZ,
March Is, 1896.
Time is always precious with me and my
army, but cannot refuse the request Of
paper that has stood by Cuba from the
very beginning for a statement regarding
the progress Of the war.
I do not believe the battle of Cuban lib
erty can be Won by words or letters, al
though 1 fully appreciate the weight of
public opinion and the assistance to be
gained by proper presentation Of our case
10 the world. Still, I am confident the
American people know and sympathize
with the causes that have brought the
present rebellion about, and that all the
paid friends Of Spain could not in a CEN
tury turn the hearts Of Americans against
US.
You ask me to furnish an estimate of the
amount Of property owned by citizens of
the United States that has been destroyed.
That would be quite impossible for me.
can assure you, however, that not one dol
lars worth Of American property has been
destroyed with the knowledge and consent
OF our officers. OF course, 1t was not to be
expected that American property would in
Instance
guarded it with Jealous care, just as we
have the lives of American citizens.
the Cuban republic will. I assure you, be
able and willing to pay for all the losses
caused by this war. 1t will be in better
position to do SO five years after indepen-
dence is secured than Spain would ever be,
though she might be successful in the pres
emit war.
Watching England.
Today Spai. is submerged in debt. She
owes England over 100000, GOO, and will
never be able to pay more than the inter-
est unless she might be allowed to turn
the Cuban custom houses over to English
control, an attempt she was about to make
| just previous to the recall Of Gen. Campos.
In this connection 1t may be said that we
are not looking for English sympathy. We
know that England has long had her eye
on Cuba, and 1 am firmly of the opinion
| that but for the grand message Of Presi-
| dent Cleveland with reference to VeneZue-
| Ia the custom houses Of our island would
| now be controlled by the Bank of England,
| and thousands of relocated soldiers would
| be assisting Spain in her work Of destruc-
| ton to life and liberty. When 1 read Pres
| ident CleveiardS message, and learned that
| Congress was ready to back him, l did, in
deed, rejoice, for the two told me that
| Spain's possession of Cuba was far from
| being agreeable to the government Of the
| United States.
l think 1 understand President Cleveland.
.IndpiDp actions
| Will speak when he thinks the right time
| has arrived. OF course, we have long
| thought that time was here but we are
| looking at the question from different
| points of view. Again I repeat, he VIII
| speak when to him the moment has arrived,
| and, you may believe, Spain will hear his
voice.
Gomez's Opinion of WeyIer.
| What do I think Of Weyler? 1 might
! answer that question by another What is
| the universal opinion regarding him? He
! has made himself supremely ridiculous in
| the eyes Of the world, and even in the eyes
| Of Spain, that most ridiculous Of nations.
1 was inclined to believe that he had done
| all his talking before leaving SPAIN but, in
| stead of that, / find he is nearly worn out
| and hoarse from proclamations and long
speeches since his arrival in Havana.
HIS military judgment Is far inferior to
| that of Gen. Campos, and we have marched
| with even greater ease from one section of
| the country to the other. Gen. Campos Il
| must do him justice), placed his men to the
| best possible advantage, and 1t was only
through the fortunes of war that we were
| so successful in our long march from the
| Oriente.
Weyler n Benefit to Cuba's Cause.
| Weyler's coming has benefited the Cuban
| cause in many ways. His record was
| against him, and the world knew that Spain
| intended to be old-blooded and inhuman
| when she sent him. The people Of Cuba
| knew this also, and thousands of men who
! were not inclined to join one side or the
| other while Gen. Campos remained are now
bearing arms under our flag. The majority
| Of Spaniards are not fends and butchers by
| any means. and when human devil is sent
| to lead them in the work Of murder and
| outrage they naturally refuse to follow
him. Although massacres have occurred.
and although homes have been ruined and
| wcmanhood outraged, by order of Weyler,
| the lovers of liberty may thank God that
| he was sent to command Spains army in
| Cuba
| We are charged with burning houses, de-
| stroying railroads and bridges, and laying
| growing fields waste-and the charges arc
| in a measure true. We have carried out
such plans. believing that in such cause
| and against such an enemy we were right.
| But no man can truthfully say that we
| have outraged God and love and humanity
| even for liberty's sake. am here to lead
an army against spain, against ner army,
| her towns, her revenues, and I shall wage
it so long the Almighty Father gives
| me strength. NJ. GOMEZ.
| A Prediction.
Capt. Stuart, formerly a British army
officer, but for nearly a year with Gen.
| Antonio Maceo, and from whom at different
| times communications have been published
in the American papers. sends the following
| letter from his chief Capt Stuart prefaces
| the letter with the statement that the hand
| some rebel general is in fine health and
! spirits and the idol of his followers. Capt.
| Stuart further adds: THE general health
| of the army is good, and a vast improve
ment is noticeable from six months ago in
| the matter of arms, ammunition, clothing
| and food. Personally, 1 think Weyler q
| blunder. To be sure, there are more battles
| and more killed and wounded of late but
| the reasons are not given by Weyler The
| rebels are much stronger and so much
holder that 1 myself am surprised. Please
| mark this prediction: Before the end OF
| summer there will not be Spanish soldier
| outside of the cities, and, with a little more
| artillery in our hands, but few Of the cities
will be holding OUT
| Considerable importance should be at
tached to the words of Capt. Stuart. Dur.
| ing the past five months he has been in al
most uninterrupted communication with
| your correspondent, and in no Instance
| where he has made imDortanf stat