Evening star., 1897-02-10

the Cuban army will sponge 1t away"
Have you regarded the United States
az an ally of Spain?"
General Gomez thought a moment before
replying.
tion," he finally answered.
United States Noe an.Ally.
mo. should hope not. Still even though
this is a delicate question, I may speak
plainly and with candor. Itfsis certain"
he went on, that the United States has
rot been our ally. 1t is certain that Cuban
leaders in the United States have been ar
rested and imprisoned because they were
suspected of plotting to break certain laws
1t Is certain that now under arrest in New
York is Gen. Carlos Roaoff. lone of the
chief officers of our civil, government, as
we'll as one of my most trusted lieutenants
It is certain that American scruisers are
doing their utmost TO cut off Dur supplies
ard it is certain that the Secretary Of
State of tho United States has been lego
tiating with Spain for settlement Of the
war.
Would you say that the United States
was our ally after knowing these things, or
would you not say that in almost every
manner possible the American government
has not been the friend Of those who op-
pose Us?
"As for the Secretary of State of the
United States, have every reason to re-
gard him as an intelligent and honora BILE
gentleman. although l know absolutely
nothing of him personally and comparntive-
ly little of his life.
He seems to have overlooked the fact.
however, that we are possessed of n civil
government of our own. and that such
civil government has among it's chief Of
ficers a secretary of state, or, as we call
It, secretary of foreign affairs.
An Established Governments.
I'VE have every confidence in the abil-
ri nP
fasl Portuondo y Tamaya, and are willing
to leave in his care such negotiations with
other governments as are likely from time
to time to rise. Secretary Portuondo has
also most able assistant in the person of
Dr. Eusebio Hernandez, cne of the brain
lest men aid truest patriots that ever lived
in the city of Havana.
The American government has very
wrongly ignored the fact that the repub-
lie or Cuba is not merely name but an
esta abi1shed and maintained institution with
an the officers necessary to the proper
transaction of governmental business.
we are ever ready to have our friends
lntercede for us in whatever way they Inay
thlnk Will rebound TO our greatest benefit
but we would wish them to know that we
ueslre to be party to whatever transac-
ton concerns US.
However, when those who do not in
cline toward Cuba in friendly way take
up matters supposedly in our interest We
nothing to do with it. We not alone have
the right but We shall so speak"
Pleased With Sherman.
What in your opinion, General Gomez,
Will be the attitude of the incoming ad-
ministration toward Cuba?"
Il have not been informed what the
views of Mr. Mckinley are concerning us,
but l know him to be a broad-minded
American, In no sense toady, but a home
made statesman, who, l am sure will
carefully guard the great land which has
SO rlshtly honored him, and at the same
time hot forget that the whole of America
belongs to Americans whether they be of
Saxon, Celtic or Latin blood.
Il do not believe that President McKn-
ley will declare the independence Of Cuba
within very brief time from hts assump-
tion of office, but 1 do believe that he will
inquire into the condition Of affairs in this
island and be willing to afford such
rights as the laws of nations and the die
tates of humanity entitle US.
Yes, i am pleased with the selection of
Mr.. Sherman as Secretary OF State. All
or Us IN Cuba are pleased, for we believe
who will no more shirk hts responsibilities
than will his eminent chief"
DO you think" l asked, that the cause
fh the G@on Dted das oes2 properly in
II certainly do" replied General Gomez.
We could not have had better represen-
tat.on in America. Mr.. Palma commands
the respect Of the American people and
Dr. CASTILLO Mr.. Guiteras and Mr.. Que
sada are able and energetic men,"
Informed the Cuban commander that 1t
mad been intimated in certain quarters that
the 5unta in the United States was not
working IN entire accord with the army
in the field.
General Gomezs present position is not
one OF danger. He is, in fact, master of
the situation In this part OF Santa Clara
province and in the province of Puerto
Principe.
Fifteen miles ahead of his headquarters
ne fas stationed nearly two thousand men,
mostly cavalry. Lacrete, who, until re-
Gently was conducting small operations in
western Santa Clara and eastern Matan-
zas. is In charge OF this force. The force
Is located In the hills along the main ship
way of Cuba.