The record-union., 1897-12-31

folly. It is an insult to the men fight
ing fer 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 per-
son entering our camps for such a pur-
pose will be put to death, in accord
ance with my general ORDERS
Continuing, General Gomez said that
he had not faith in the ability of Spain
to Immediately enact autonomy even in
the sections under Spanish control. but
whether she succeeded or not the mat
ter was of no moment to the men in
the field, who would continue to fight,
animated by love of freedom and an
absolute confidence of ultimate success.
The correspondent asked General Go
mez for his opinion as to American in
tervention and the annexation of Cuba
to the United States. He replied that
Intervention does not necessarily i'm
ply annexation.
Il would glady accept the former, as
/ would accept aid from any quarter
although L believe if left alone we will
achieve our own independence unaided,
and l am loath that we should be rob-
bed of any share in the honor of re-
pulsing the Spaniards.
AS far as annexation is concerned,
l cannot admit it's possibility. To that
proposition L make the same reply as
L do to the autonomy plan-that our
object IS independence. We have among
US young men who have sacrificed ev-
erytning to this sacred cause. For my
self, l am an old man, and now have
but one object in life, and that is to
see the flag of Cuba supreme from
Cape Maysi to San Antonio.
We have already made fearful sac
rifices. and we stand ready to make
more in order to achieve this glorious
end. l know that the people of the
United States will never balk us in this,
our hour of victory
The idea of the arbitrary annexation
OF this territory is inconsistent with the
principles on which the American re-
public is founded. If, in the future, af-
ter Cuba has won her freedom, and it
IS demonstrated that she is capable Of
government, it becomes apparent
that her interests would be advanced
by incorporation into the United States,
L would be the last to object if an appli-
cation should be made for the honor Of
admission to the great sisterhood of
States. That is very different thing
from annexation"
Asked what his views were on an
American protectorate over the island.
General Gomez replied that he had no
objection, believing it would carry a.
guarantee of peace at home with the
respect of all nations, and would per-
NIT CUBA TO work out her destiny under
the most favorable conditions. In re-
turn he believes that Cuba should, in
her commerce, favor the United States
above all nations.
BLANCO'S HOPELESS TASK.
NEW YORK, Dec. 30.-A dispatch to
the Tribune" from Havana says:
General Blanco, on his arrival two
months ago, probably anticipated less
need of a vigorous military campaign
than he now feels.
1t was not unreasonable to hope for a
response to policy of Cancellation and
persuasion. Though one article of the
programme, the succor Of the recon-
centrados, has failed as a Government
measure of relief, the promise of am
neSty has been kept
The prisons are really being vacated
General Weyler peopled them. But the
declared intention of pressing active
military measures is an admission of
the failure to win the insurgents back
from the field. A frank acceptance of
this fact might prepare the Ministry at
Madrid and the people Of Spain for pa
tient waiting.
A record has been made up purporting
to show what General Blanco has ac-
complished in the way of gaining ad-
hesion to the new policy. 1t purports
to give list of insurgents who have
surrendered, and includes a dozen
chiefs, one with the rank of Captain.
The list is not important enough to
call for analysis. AS in all official re-
ports, the majority of the persons pre-
senting themselves turn out to be re-
concentrates and children.
The presentation in considerable num-
berS of insurgents themselves, the men
who have been in the field with arms in
hand, would be evidence which would
justify itself Insurgent leaders and Off
GERS could not keep up the fight without
followers. The adhesion of the leaders
and officers TO the new regime might
not at once carry their followers with
them, but when a revolution becomes
leaderless the body does not long sur
vive. Had ether of these things hap
pened the effect would have been i'm
mediate and pronounced. Neither has
happened. and the varying fortunes of
the Spanish troops must yet be taken
as the barometer of the insurrection
and of autonomy.
r,rIr, rr<-ECIrTJnN on DT-Tu
NEW YORK, Dec. 30.-The following
letter from Colonel Nestor Aranguren
has been received here:
There have come to my hands copies
of papers printed in New York, and
am sorry to see how misjudged has
been an act which was of trancendental
importance TO the cause of Cuban inde-
pendence.
This is not the time for me to de-
fend my fellow countrymen by means
Of the press. History VIII judge the
facts, and the world shall pass judg-
ment | wish, however, to refute the
calumny which has been exposed to
civiliza ton, that the bearer of flag
of truce was executed when he en-
tered our ranks under a white flag. 1t
is false, a thousand times false.
"Lieutenant- Colonel Ruiz wished to
have an interview with me, and / did
not grant it, because | knew he wanted
10 talk about my accepting autonomy.
know that word was sent to him to
give il up, and his friends in Havana,
who also know me, advised him also
to give it up. He, however persisted,
and his temerity cost him his life.
4 cannot be unfaithful TO my oath to
die or obtain independence from the
Spanish yoke, which four days previ-