Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-31
INSURGENT POLICY AS OUTLINED
BY GENERAL GOMEZ.
NOTHING BUT INDEPENDENCE.
NEITHER AUTONOMY NOR ANyExA.
TION ACCEPTABLE.
No Objection to an American Protect.
ornte-Might Some Day Like State.
hood In United States-Oners
of Autonomy Insults to
Patriot Soldiers.

New York, Dec. 50-A correspondent Of
the Herald has just returned to Havana
after having visited the camp of General
Gomez. After long and perilous ride
through country infested with Spanish
troops. he reached General Gomez camp
on December IS, and found the general in
excellent health and spirits. He was able
for the first time in many months to mount
his horse and make a long journey Of in
spection of the various camps into which
the men under his immediate command
were divided
The correspondent put before General
Gomez the programme of autonomy in or
der to secure his opinion The general
smiled contemptuously after glancing over
copy Of an Havana paper containing the
terms. and said:
There is no use wasting time In discuss
ing these terms. 1t makes no difference
whether they may be regarded as liberal
or not. The fact remains that We are not
fighting for autonomy. but for independl
ence. This Spain seems utterly unable toN
realize.
I'VE have been told that the autonomy of
fer is an act of liberality by the mother
country to induce the patriots in arms to
resume their allegiance to Spain. That
Is worse than folly. 1t Is an insult to
the men fighting for freedom. There is not
in the Cuban army one officer SO base as
to accept such terms. We will not even
listen to any overtures. and any person
entering our camps for such a purpose will
be put to death in accordance with my
general orders"
Continuing, General Gomez said that he
had no faith in the ability Of Spain to i'm
mediately plant autonomy, even in the sec
she succeeded or not, the matter was of no
moment to the men in the field, who would
continue to fight. animated by a love Of
freedom and an absolute confidence In ultI-
mate success.
The correspondent asked General Comes
for his opinion as to American intervention
States He replied: Intervention does not
gladly accept the former. as i would ac-
neve If left alone we will achieve our own
Independence unaided, and am loath that
we should be robbed Of any share In the
As far as annexation Is concerned. I cam
not admit its possibility. To that prop
ssa sstsn make se reply as do to
dependence. We have among US young men
who have sacrificed everything to this sa-
who now has but one object s in IN Haa lie. a and
from Cape Maysi to San Antonio.
I'VE have already made fearful sacrifices
and We stand ready to make more in order
to achieve this glorious end. i know that
the people of the United States will never
idea Of arbitrary annexation Of this terri
tory Is inconsistent with the principles up
on which the American republic is found
ed. II in the future, after Cuba has won
her freedom, and 1t is demonstrated that
she is capable Of self-government. it be-
came apparent that her interests would be
advanced by Incorporation into the United
States, I would be the last to object II an
application should be made for the honor
Of admission to the great sisterhood of
states. That Is very different thing from
annexation"
Asked as to his views on an American
protectorate over the island. General Comes
replied that he had no objection, believing
home. with the respect Of all nations, and
would permit Cuba to work out her des-
tiny under the most favorable conditions
in her commerce. favor the United States
above all nations,