The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-04-29
Wermont @attbmam.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 1896.
The Cuban Leader,


stead, who had spent month on the
island as correspondent, presents some
OF the facts about Cuba and her strug
gle for freedom that give the reader
clearer idea of the contest, its charac-
ter and magnitude, than can be OBJ
tanned from the chaotic and frag-
mentary, and often conflicting and un-
trustworthy newspaper reports. A
matter of lively and grateful interest is
the description given of the leaders of
the rebellion, and especially of Maxine
Gomez, the old soldier, whom Mr.. Hal
stead represents as "the personification
and vital substance of the cause of
Cuba. His name is on every tongue,
of friend and foe. In the Spanish
fancy, he haunts all the secluded places,
and the galloping of his horsemen by
night disturbs their dreams. The dis
tinction of his character is remarkable,
his ascendancy undisputed, his capacity
as military man of the highest order"
As an illustration of the character of
individuality and the clearest definition
of the policy of the leader, his procla-
nation of December last is published
in full. We are 80 much accustomed
to the idea that the leaders of this
movement for the liberation of Cuba
are bandits or marauders, Savage
chiefs of still more savage men," that
the presentation of the head and soul
of the war against Spanish power as
man of dignity aud elevation of char
acter, as a true patriot, lover of lib
erty, statesman and an able and bril-
liant military commander, is grateful to
the feelings of those who eagerly give
their sympathy and support to any strug-
gle for freedom, and pray for its success.
Gomez's story of his re-entry upon free
dom's battle, when summoned from the
quiet and seclusion of his home on
the island of San Domingo, after Span
ish perfdy had rendered nugatory the
long war that ended in 1880, is not sur
passed in dignity, pathos and patriotism
by any expressions in the long story of
the struggles of the peoples of the
world against their oppressors. The
Cuban leader views with satisfaction
how far the army of liberation, COM
posed of $4,000 men, may reach. He
expresses complete confidence in his
general staff. He is sure of the sup
ort Of tho T,,h ri in
countries, which collect about 100000
monthly. He never thinks of beliger-
ency to attain victory. If it is recog-
nized, all right. If it is not, "we will
achieve the liberty of Cuba, trusting in
the facts set forth, in its special tao
tics, and in the Incompatible courage
of its sons" He does not underrate
the strength of the forces arrayed
against him, but he believes he will
conquer them, because experience
gives.him ga security that soldiers who
are trained to operate in Europe can
not attain any results in this country"
Here we are in Cuba" he says, "in
the blest land where gigantic noun
tains raise themselves, where nothing
exists but ignored paths, dark, impen-
etrable thickets and wide, doleful plains,
which in their grandeur God made to
serve as an ally in the defence of lib
erty." He trenchantly asks Spain:
When are you going to replace that
youth which the nation loans you?
Are you not Mortified with
the load of responsibility of burying in
Cuba 100000 Spaniards?" He
taunts Spain with her bad credit in the
money market, compelling her to pay
exorbitant interest, when any one
with common guarantees can obtain
loans at the lowest commercial rates.
Gomez announced that he would
burn sugar cane and destroy planta-
tons when this was necessary for the
success of the revolution. No consid-
Grafton would be shown spies and those
who are an obstacle to the plans of
the Cuban army. So he advised
all who are not with the revolu-
ton to go to the cities. He charged
the responsibility for this desOlation to
the government of Spain (which has
proposed that the one who conquers
shall do 30 on pile of ruins" He
would not be the responsible party for
his plans till he succeeds in vanquish-
ing his opponent. He will not change
his policy for anything, but will I" look
upon the prisoner with respect and
meet the cowardly conduct on the part
of the enemy of shooting my officers by
pardoning theirs" He paints DARK
picture of what will be the condition o.
the people of Cuba if the Spanish are
triumphant, and portrays in bright, con