The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-02-03
Comes From Camp.
Important Statements Made
by Gen. Gomez.

Z OVChOO44OACHo CHo AAASsSA =
by Gen. Gomez.
ATLANTA, Jan. 27.-The Evening
Constitution publishes to day an autheo
tic interview With Gen. Maximo Gomez
10 which he denies that be ever wrote
letter favoriug home rule for Cuba
He opposes compromise sith Spain
aud says that if hs had $4,000 rifles
and 1000 cartridges for each. be could
drive Weyler off the island within a
mouth. The general criticises Mr.
Cleveland for non-iDterferenoe.
The interview was obtained by G. B
Heruado, who vas sent to Cuba by
Rev. A. j Diaz with commission to
have personal interview with Gen.
Gomez on the subject Of compromise
aud peace. DR.. Diaz is the Baptist
missionary who was released from Nor
ro castle last summer through the
United States. Mr.. HerDado wrote
him from Jaruco under date Of Jan.
19. Hernado went from Atlanta direct
10 Habaaa. He left that city IS a
Cuban cowboy aud two days later
reached the camp Of Gen. Gomez 10
the mountains OF Los Escaleros de
Jaruco Hernadc says:
Although it was not yet g O'Clock 10
the morning. the general was up.
booted, wearing bis large sombrero
and clean liuen dress The only
arms be wore was small Spanish re-
volver. Upon acqua,o.ing the general
with the report that be had given his
adhesion 70 the policy of bone rule or
autonomy for Cuba, the SAGE as accord
ed TO Canada by Great Britain, be said
emphatically:
"No, sir; | have written 90 such
letter nor given my assent to the policy
am the general in command Of the
Cuban forces aud my only busioess is
to plan aud fight battles in order to
drive out the Spanish goserameot from
Cuba aud 60 conduct the var to sue
eessful issue | have been entrusted
With this duty bv the Cubaa Govern
ueut though it is proper agencies
..lf any action is ever taken 10 re-
gard to the political settlement Of Cuba.
it will have to be BY President Cisneros
aud his cabinet. who alone are author.
ICED to act. Besides this, there is an
article in the constitution wolch We bave
adopted providing that even the pres!-
dept aud his cabinet would nave to call
the general assembly to settle such an
important matter as this My only duty
is to keep the banner CT Cuba fyios
and in no manner would conflict with
the properly constituted authority OF
my government
8. But | asked the general. do you
koov of any movement even on the
part of the government for such pur-
pose sa this p
..'Why, no. replied the general.
The Cuban govern mens was never SO
determined as they are now At DO
sime siuce the beginning has the army
been 10 better condi'ion or better drilled
than it is at present. Our men are
fell Of enthusiasm fer the independence
of cur county &cd never in its history
have they been SO set against taking
advantage Of any temporary offer
The Cuban aruy aud the Cuban peo-
pie have started oat for absolute iade-
pende,oe @od ,bey viii never lay down
their arms until !, has teen achieved.
.Directiug the attention Of General
Gomez to the uuffieudly policy Of Mr..
Cleveland, he smiled grim'y ard said :
When we rose up in arms against
Spanish ,yrauuy We did so trusting in
Coo eod 10 ourselves We knew the
enemy whom We had elected to meet,
50 that We did not measure the statue
OF the giaot. or the power Of the lion
Consequently we are he'e, armed aud
organized, and ready to sacrifice our
lives for Cuba
"rbe general walked up and dow1
as he spoke, his eyes flashing; then be
added:
".I know I ahcu'd be guarded it
what / say Mr. G eveland is at the
| head of a great nation for whose poo
pie have the mcst prcfund respec
AID be is we'll acquainted with fht
truth. bat no mao who was not o
A"gln-Saxou descent could act Sc
oold b.oodedly as be has done. | know
all the people of the United States ars
iu favcr Of our cause and am acquainted
with the position of the United States
sepato:s. though there has been some
fr:c,ico anopg them for Which | an
sorry.
.. There Is oae thing, however, tha
DO not understand How 1t ls tina
Mr.. Cleveland cau be So couplacea
with the Spanish government "h'cf
hoe ;nsrlte4 bia flag az We;ler has done