The record-union., 1897-05-30
His Scheme to Crush Gomez by Surround
Ing Him With a Great Force
Does Not Result as the Spanish Com
mander Anticipated.
His Forces of Thousands Held in
Check by the Cubans, Who Scarce
Iy Numbered One Thousand men
Insurgents Willing to Purchase the
Island at a Reasonable Price.

Island at Reasonable Price.
HAVANA (via. Key WesD, May ~
Details have been received here of an
engagement at La Reforma, Sanctl
Spiritus. between the Spaniards, com
manded by General Weyler, and the
Cubans. led by General Gomez The
battle was fought early last week, and
it was the result of Weyler's scheme to
crush Gomez by surrounding him with
10000 men.
The plan failed. and the battle was
reported here as an ordinary Spanish
victory, without details. 1t was the
first time in the war that Weyler and
Gomez have faced each other.
General Gomez, placing his men IN
the best strategic positions at La Re-
forma awaited General Weyler and Tor
six hours held him in check, although
the Cubans scarcely numbered 1,OOO
men.
Gomez ordered his best shots to pur-
sue the Spanish General, but the latter
never came to the front. When two
fresh Spanish columns came up Gomez
retired. and the Spanish abandoned the
field
WILLING TO PURCHASE FREE
DOM
WASHINGTON, May 29.-An agent
of the Cuban Junta has been received
at the State Department. Senor Tomas
Estrada Palma. head of the Cuban
Junta in New York chief delegate to
the United States of the Cuban Gov
of he
ment. Secretary Sherman, in extending
the invitation to Senor Palma, was
Obliged to do so unofficially and to re-
ceive him as an American citizen Inc
President was also unofficially aware
of his visit.
The proposition that the Cubans buy
the island was discussed by Secretary
Sherman Assistant Secretary Day
and Senior Palma.
II was indicated by Senior Palma that
the insurgents are willing TO purchase
their freedom at a reasonable price. A
full understanding prevailed that nee
essary funds could be easily secured 10
float the bonds whenever Spain agreed
10 enter into negotiations looking to a
sale of Cuba The sanction of the
Junta was given to the proposed instl-
tuition of correspondence having in view
the REIMBURSEMENT of control in Cuba
by Spain for a monetary consideration.
The amount which the Cubans are Will
ing to paw. if discussed, was not di-
vulged
SAGASTA'S VIEWS.
NEW YORK. May 29.-A special to
the Herald" from Madrid says: Senor
Sagasta has just given long inter-
view to the Herald" correspondent.
The statements he made possess unique
and immense value al the present juno
ture of affairs, and they are his only
utterances in a public sense and de-
stined for public ears since the Tetuan-
Comas incident threw the Spanish par
ties into discord and induced the with
drawal of the Liberal party from the
meetings of Parliament as protest
AGAINST the Minister of States contin-
uance in office.
The following are the questions put TO
Saeasta. together with his replies:
rs the withdrawal from politics of
4he Liberal party due solely TO the in
cident?'
..Withdrawal is not the correct word
for the attitude of the Liberal party. 1t
/ oO7NNAAN'NA'
attending the sessions of Parliament
while the Minister of State, VINO mas
so gravely wronged that Parliament
continues in the Cabinet.
by a telegram published some days
ago in this capital it appears that the
Spanish Conservatives. rather than the
Americans themselves, considered thal
Won entertain the possibility OF a sale
of Cuba. Do you intend to reply IN
public to the insinuations of the Con-
servative press?
Considering my views, with when
all the world is familiar. that supposl-
tion is so grotesque that | do not care
to make any reply to ii at all. ] trust
that public opinion will not regard it as
a serious charge. Indeed, the public
has not done So
when / was in Porto Rico four
months ago the Autonomist Commits
sion of that island. which has Just re-
turned from Spain, told me that you
promised them that on your party COM
ing into power you would give Porto
Rico complete administrative auton-
ony. Is that SOP
7 did say to the Autonomists that
the Liberal party viii give Porto Rico
complete administrative autonomy, and
7 have praised the tendency which the
Autonomists are manifesting toward
identifying themselves with the Lib
eral party of the peninsula, because
this will facilitate the administration
of the Antilles and will link them more
closely with the mother country"
"Will you favor me with some outline
of the policy which the Liberal party
proposes to follow in Cuba?"
I'm all that concerns the integrity OF
the mother country there is no differ
ence of opinion whatever among the
Spanish parties or politicians. We are
all resolved to make whatever efforts
may be necessary to maintain the ma
tional sovereignty in Cuba This is
what | said a year ago. Where | diff
fer from the Conservatives is in the
means of accomplishing the pacifica-
ton and welfare of the island, since
am of the opinion that political and
diplomatic action should have beer
EMPLOYED conformity with military ac-
tion because / consider the material
triumph of an armed force land on this
noiut ] never entertain a doubt, does
not suffice to bring about that intimate
fiIial union of Cuba with Spain
political action. beside being pow
erful auxiliary of military action, is the