The record-union., 1897-06-05
Says the Reports That Many Americans
Are Starving Greatly Exaggerated.
But Few Instances Where Families
Are in Need of Relief.
General Gomez Sticks to His Old
Tactics of Worrying the Spanish
Columns, Now and Then firing OF
Dodging the Enemy, and Gives
Them Good Sharp Fight.

IHeH OUOu SEEdTp right.
NEW YORK, June 4-When Major
William D. Smith, who testified on Gu
ban affairs before the Senate Commit
tee on Foreign Relations in Washing
ton, was in New York, he was inter-
viewed by the Herald" which says:
Major Smith was formerly a Captain
in the United States army, and is the
only American officer who has reached
the field in Cuba. AS second chief OF
the personal escort of General Gomez,
he has taken part in all the engage
ments of the last year. Gomez recently
promoted him to the rank of Major Tor
bravery displayed on the field, and, TO
more fully show his gratitude, ordered
him on this special mission to New
York. at the same time granting him a
long furlough to visit his family at
Mount Sterling, Wis. He also gave him
an order on the Junta for his full sal
ary amounting to about 5000, which
has been paid.
Mr.. Smith, when questioned about the
condition of pacificos in the country,
denied emphatically that there was any
suffering among them in the Province
of Las Villas, saying that although
vegetables We're somewhat scarce about
a month ago, recent abundant rains
have FASTENED the crops and that at
present sweet potatoes and yamS can
be found in plenty.
Major Smith stated that he believed
that the reports that many Americans
| Were starving in Cuba was greatly ex-
aggerated He bases his belief on the
following facts:
While in Trinidad he was shown
letter from Consul-General Lee TO Mr..
Quale, American Consular Agent at
that place. requesting list of the des-
titute American citizens in his district.
Mr. Quale said the letter was the third
he had received on the subject, and to
each he was happy to reply that there
were no starving Americans in the dis
trict of Trinidad, neither had he heard
of any distress.
Major Smith also learned while in
Cienfuegos, where the bulk of Ameri-
can capital IS invested in the sugar fac
tories of the district and where conse-
quently there is a fair representation of
American citizens employed and resid-
ing there that there was not sim
gle family that needed relief. This in
formation was corroborated by the
American Consul. who had already
made a report to General Lee similar to
that of the United States Consular
Agent at Trinidad.
Major Smith afterward STAYED a
short time in the harbor of Santiago de
Cuba, where several prominent Cubans
and Americans came to see him. and
they also said that up to that time, ow-
ing to the failure of General Weyler to
operate in the east, the people were not
destitute nor in need of relief.
Recently General Gomez placed under
arrest Colonel Juan Bravo, who COM
manded the brigade of Trinidad. He
was charged with misrepresentation of
Cuban funds, receiving a bride for per-
hitting large numbers of cattle to pass
into the Spanish lines and general in
competency. He was court martialed
and Major Smith believes that by this
time he has been shot
Major Smith says that Gomez sharply
reprimanded General Rodriguez for his
luke-warm campaign and ordered him
to the hills of Trinidad. The volunteer
infantry, under Brigadier Quentin Ban
dera, was placed under his orders. Go
mez, Major Smith said, had awaAened
to the fact that the hills were OF very
strategic Importance, and Rodriguez
and Bandera were ordered to prevent,
at all hazards, the further incursions of
the Spanish. If his orders are not car
ried out Gomez threatens to degrade
every officer in the command
That Gomez will keep his word is
shown in the case of Bravo, who re-
peatedly dsobeyed instructions to de-
stroy the sugar cane and factories of
the Trinidad Valley. These estates,
guarded by Spanish forts, have been
successfully defended for a long time
against the half-hearted attacks of the
Cubans under Bravo. Under the ener-
getic leadership of Bandera, the sugar
factory at Canabamo, owned by Smith
Fischer. has been completely destroyed.
and Bandera declares that he will not
rest until the factory at Trinidad.
owned by Mr.. StillElan of Boston,
shares a like fate. Messrs Smith and
Fischer are German subjects.
Major Smith, who led Gomez and es-
cort in all recent engagements with
General Weyler, says that the Cuban
leader sticks to his old tactics of worry
ing the Spanish column, but that now
and then he tires of lodging and gives
them a good sharp fight The most i'm
portant one that has occurred during
the present campaign took place on the
estate Reforma toward the end of
April
Gomez was informed that General
Weyler, at the head of $4,000 men. di-
vided into eight columns, was to make
supreme effort to annihilate him.
Hastily concentrating the forces of
Major Rodriguez, Pedro Diaz and Ban
dera. numbering about 1000 men. he
waited for General Weyler on the Re-
forma, and there occurred one of the
hardest fights of the war. For two
days Gomez successfully resisted every
maneuver of General Weyler. and.
fooled and disappointed General View
Ter withdrew the bulk of his forces TO
Sancti Spiritus. Major Smith saws that
the Cubans never left the Reforrna.
Gomez had twenty-eight killed and
thirty-nine wounded
Gomez will soon recross the trocha. at
Monon to be present at Jasa in the
month of August for the assembly of
delegates that will then meet to elect
a new President The election will be
controlled by the army and the candi-
date backed by Gomez will be assured