Evening star., 1896-04-08

HlacneteS. BanderaS force was almost
wholly composed of negroes. stout. athletic
fellows. who were apparently happy. de-
spite the fact that large majority were
without shoes. 1 learned that many of
them had never worn shoes of any descrip-
ton, and would scout the idea of having
any. There was no lawlessnesS apparent,
and as j mentally compared these rebel
troops with the forces of Spain said, THE
Cubans will win
Gen. Gomez impressed me as a man of
brains and wonderful energetic power. His
thoughts came rapidly, and he spoke with
easy clearness and emphasis. He did not
appear narrow-minded, but discussed all
the important phases of the revolution
with a frankness that was almost surpris-
ing.
AS events have proven, Gen. Gomez is at
once one of the most brilliant and astute
military men of the genera ton. With an
inferior force, in point Of number, and
force poorly armed in comparison TO that
of the enemy, he marched from the eX-
tremc eastern end of Cuba to the very gate
Of Havana, the lock of which he almost
picked with the point of the machete. 1e
has outwitted Spain's greatest general, and
he will whip Spain's greatest butcher 90
mez is a pigmy in physique, but giant in
mental force and military ability.
l am not prepared to say that Gen. Gomez
is personally in favor of the annexation of
Cuba to the United States, although he is
really the only Cuban leader of importance
who has not expressed himself on that point.
When l questioned him regarding the mat
ter he simply said he did not care to discuss
it just then.
l learned from other sources, which have
reason to consider as being very reliable,
that Gen. Gomez has dreams of his own
with reference to Cuba's future. He does
not aspire to the presidency Of the island,
when Independence is secured, but will re-
tire to his home in Santo Domingo, where
his family now reside
President Cisneros will not care to keep
"a IA n ma fharp-
fore. the first president Of the free Cuban
republic VIII be Gen. Antonio Maceo.
The dream of Gen. Come. is for sort of
united republic of the West Indies, to in
cude Cuba, Santo Domingo, Hayti, Porto
Rica and possibly Jamaica, with a central
government at Havana. Could this scheme
be brought 20 a successful issue then he
would willingly accept the presidency of the
ag2rega ton.
But the great hope of his life has been the
freeing of Cuba. On one occasion he said:
Il want neither offices nor wealth, but IL
can see Cuba liberated and independent 1
Shall die happily
Shortly before 1 saw Gen Gomez his
forces had severed the international cable
line, running overland between Havana ard
Batabano, which was the favorite route FOR
diplomatic correspondence between the gov
ernments at Washington and Caracas. The
tact was called TO the attention of Gomez
and ne Was reminded that just at that time
he should not interfere with communication
between the United States and Venezuela.
To this he replied: "Oh, 1 am sorry: but
perhaps the government al Washington will
row realize that a war really exists in
Cuba"
Should he Recognized as BelIigerents
AT the same time, speaking to me regard
ing the attitude of the United States in the
matter Of belligerency, Gomez said: Il ad-
mire and love the American republic, but Ii
Is Impossible for me to understand why we
should not be recognized as belligerents.
we suffer greater wrongs than did the
early American colonists, who threw off the
yoke of Great Britain, and we have more
troops in the field than were ever gathered
together by the thirteen states, yet the
American government declines to share
with the patriots now fighting the honor
and glory of freeing Cuba. We have taken
the words of Patrick Henry as our motto,
and Will have liberty or DEATH"
can imagine the bright smile that will
chase over his little bronzed face when he
hears of the late action of Congress on that
question that worried him so much. Clear
er than ever will he see the star of Cuban
liberty rising over the island.
On only one occasion during my exper-
ience in Cuba did 1 believe, even for a few
moments, that my gentle spirit was to be
waited to other shores. This was on my
trip from Havana to see Gen. Gomez.
1t was just beyond Bejucal. about twenty
miles from Havana, when l was warned by