The sun., 1897-03-02
Not Aid, but Simple Justice,
Is What Cuba Desires.
CUBAN GOVERNMENT EXISTS.
All He Asks Is That We Should Not
Help Spain to Overthrow It.

Involve the Uuitea states In War with
spain, but Merely to Have This Country
Cea.e Serving the Monarchy with Its Navy
Tho Civil Government OF the Cuban Pa
triots. Its schools. Mail system. Factories,
Newspaper. and General Departments.
HAVANA, Feb. 2s.-THE SUN correspondent met
Gen. Gomez two miles west OF Bacza, between
this town and San Fernando. in the province Of
Santa Clara, Feb. 25, the day after the second
anniversary Of the revolution, which had been
celebrated with great enthusiasm by the Cuban
army throughout the island. Gomez had issued
on the Gath to his troops the following procla-
nation, included In his order OF the day;
SOLDIERS or THE REVOLUTION AND FELLOW
CITIZENS; Two years have elapsed since the
patriotism Of the Cuban people raised the flag Of
our republic to liberate our country from tho
Spanish sway. Cuba may rest satisfied that
every one has done his duty. We are now near
the realization OF our hopes. Let us hope that
year more will not pass without seeing Cuba
free forever; but let us swear by the dear re-
mains OF the heroes who have perished at our
side in this glorious struggle for the highest
ideal that a country can have, that neither time
nor the hardest tolls we may suffer will make us
despair or waver In our resolute attitude. Tira
Cuba iibre"
Your correspondent entered Corners camp at
eo'clock in the morning, under the guidance OF
the Cuban outposts. When the first body Of
Cubans detained me showed them my docu-
meuts from Sancti Spiritus, which proved that 1
was intrusted with special mission to Gen.
Gomez. That band left me in the hands OF
another onc this delivered me to another and
20 went por cordiiierd, as they say here. until
reached Gen. Gomez's headquarters. The Gen
eral was busy in his tent, debating to his two
secretaries. He is writing his recollections OF
the war
He writes or dictates four hours lay" said
DIR. Fernando Frcyre Andrade, the Cuban officer
Of Gomez's staff who entertained me while
waited.
DIR. Andrade was counsel for Senior Luis
Morote, the correspondent OF FL Liberal Of
Madrid, who was court-martialed by the Cubans
and freed some days ago. Gen. Gomez appointed
Dr. Andrnde to defend Senior Morote. The
tribunal gave verdict Of not guilty. 1t had
been shown that Senior Morote was not a spy,
and that no had entered the insurgent
lines bearing a passport from Severe
Pima, y member OF the Cuban Govern
ment. and letters from Marcos Garcia, Major
Mt Sancti Splritus. Marcos Garcia did not dare
20 propose directly to Gen. Gomez the accept
ance Of the reforms, q delicate commission In
trusted TO him In Havana. but was glad to know
that Senior Morote intended TO reach the camp
Of the Cuban Generaln-C Chief, not to propose to
him any arrangement with Spain, but merely to
explain to him what tho reforms were and to
obtain for Ell Liberal the first information Of the
views OF the revolutionists on the subject.
While was speaking with DIR. Andrade rife
vollcys were heard from the south. Their regu-
lsrty and the peculiar sound Of the modern rife
fire made us understand that II Spanish column
zin0n hy III aatn nula ahntf q th..
Cubans was heard. A few moments later the
volleys ceased. I looked at Gomez's tent, but
, could not discover the least sign OF excitement
there. Nobody moved; 1t was as II nothing had
happened. Ten minutes later, the volleys were
repeated at point nearer us, as II an attack
we're to be made on the camp. / looked
around; every ono was quiet and unheeding.
The volleys continued. A Cuban officer on
horseback came up on the gallOp, dismounted
near the tent and entered. A few moments
afterward he came out and rode away rapidly
on his horse In the direction Of the firing.
I began to fear that something grave was
going to happen, In spite OF the general indircr-
ence around me. After half an hour the fire OF
the Cubans began. 1t il distingushaple because
each shot comes separately, each man firing
with care so as not to waste his ammunition.
The Spanish volleys continued, but grew fainter
until they could be heard no longer. / learned
afterward that Spanish column Of about 5000
men had passed near the camp on Its way
TO sancti Spiritus, and had been driven out
OF the line OF march through Gomez's camp
by Cuban guerrilla force under orders from
headquarters. Gomez did not make the least
movement when he heard the volleys, 80 sure
was he OF the result As he received reports
from the officers no interrupted his work only
long enough to give his orders. He knows tho
ST.aE MIA. IL.
can tell from the sound OF their firing whether
they are going TO make IA serious attack or not"
When entered Gomezs tent ] found him
standing near q table covered with papers.
showed him my letters, and transmitted to him
the Instructions had received He offered me
stool in front OF him, and he sat down on
another. He looked AZ strong and vigorous as
ever told him that wished to give, through
THE Sun, his views to the American public.
II have been assailed lately by American cor
resi- ondents' he replied. and suppose that
The American public is well aware now of the
act that We want only the absolute independence
OF the island from SPAIN But there is one thing
That wish to add that II may be clearly under
stood by every man in the United States, espe-
cialIy as II appears that their Administration
VIII now be In the hands OF men who love more
dearly the honor OF the nation. What l should
IKE every American to know is this:
We do not seek to involve the United States
IN a war with spain. We do not try In the least
10 compromise that country in our struggle, or
10 win our Independence with any material help
from The Americans. II there are Americans
who think that the war in Cuba is n menace to
their peace and prosperity because tho Cubans
intend to involve the American Government In
trouble with Spain, they do us the greatest In.
justice.
II Is not our fault II the savage warfare OF
'he spaniards rouscs the whole civilized world
ana II the Spanards insult the American flag
ana arrest and murder American citizens. 1t ID
not our fault II, in view OF such outrages public
opinion IN the United states Is reused against an
administration which tolerates those things
ana stu calls spain "a friendly power All that
u lhe tanlt OF spain, II barharous nation OF bar,
MARQUIS warriors. Tho tubans themselves have
r'Noltcd precisely because they could not suffer
any more Of those crimes of which American
H'iIens are the victims now in Spanish towns.
No. We do not want American help, and We
ula not count upon 1t when VIC rcyolted against