Evening star., 1897-03-30
COMETS APPEAL TO AMERICA
He Wants Spanish Butcherfes In Cuba
Stopped.

General Gomez has not been backward in
calling the attention of Presidents Cleve-
land and Mckinley to the cruel methods
pursued by the Spanish soldiers in Cuba
and in asking them to intercede to give in
dependence to the island. According to re-
ports coming from Cuba General Gomez on
March / sent Mr.. Mckinley the following
letter:
I'm the Field, near Sancti Espiritu,
March !, 1897.
THE Hon. William Mckinley, President Of
the United States of America:
Sir: Gen. Weyler has arrived i'm this dis
trict of Sancti Espiritu with a numerous
army. He comes not to fight nor to ex-
pose his strength to the forces with which
i defend these parts, but as a sanguinary
and cruel general, who will avoid combat IS
and spread crime and desolation every
where. He comes to murder the peasants
in the field: to kin the children. and to drive
our prosecuted and outraged women to the
woods. leaving their homes to be burned.
their hearths violated, and their gardens
destroyed. This is how Gen. Weyler paci-
fies Sancti Espiritu, or wherever he may be.
Then he authorizes those who ask him for
bread for their children and alleviation for
their miseries to go out into the country
ard to steal and destroy whatever they
may find.
With this permit me to send you a
copy of a letter which / had the honor to
send your predecessor in office. Mr.. Grover
Cleveland. 1t is the hope that 1t may move
you to sacred action that induces me to
take Up my pen TO trouble you
The Letter to Mr.. Cleveland.
Then follows Gen. Gomez's letter to Pres
ident Cleveland. written on February o.
The letter begins with strong appeal
not only for Cubans but for Americans,
who are victims of cruelty in Cuba The
letter concludes as follows:
1.-The Spanish, unable to exercise acts of
sovereignty over the interior of Cuba, have
forced the peasants to concentrate I'm vii
lagos, where, 1t is hoped. misery will force
them TO serve in the armies of a govern
ment which they abhor. Not only are
these unhappy ones forced to abandon the
only means by which they can live: not
only are they forced to die of starvation,
but they are branded as decided support
ers OF our arms, and against them, their
wives and children is directed a fearful
and cruel persecution.
Ought such facts to be tolerated by a
civilized people? Can human powers. for
getting the fundamental principles of
Christian community, permit these things
to go on? is it possible that civilized peo-
pie will consent TO the sacrifice of UNI
armed and defenseiess men? Can the
American people view, with culpable indIf-
ference. the slow but complete extermfna-
ton OF thousands of innocent Americans?
w, yoo nave oeS1aICu tndt tIey CANNOT,
that such acts of barbarity ought not to
be permitted nor tolerated. We see the
brilliant initiative you have taken I'm pro-
testing strongly against the killing of
Europeans and Christians In Armenia and
in China, denouncing them with evidence
of heartfelt energy.
Knowing this. today frankly and le-
gally appeal to you. and declare that 1
cannot completely prevent the acts OF
vandalism that deplore.
TT does not suface that I protect the
families OF Cubans who Join us. and that
my troops. following the example of civil
isation. respect and put at immediate lib
erty prisoners Of war. cure and restore the
enemy's wounded and prevent reprisals. 1t
stin appears that the Spaniards are amen
able to no form Of persuasion that is not
backed up by force.
"Ah, SIR. the vfcissitudes Of this cruel
struggle have caused much pain to the
heart of an old and unfortunate father; but
nothing has made me suffer 90 much as
the horrors which recite, unless II IL to
zee that you remain Indifferent to them.
Say 10 the Spaniards that they may