Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-06-05
CUBAN ARMY IN BETTER CONDITION
THAN EVER BEFORE.
so SAYS ONE OF GOMEZ STAFF.
TALK OF AUTONOMY AND OF SPAN
IsH REFORMS Is IDLE.
Cuban Commander Sticking to His
Old Tactics-Gavc Battle to Wey-
Ter Once and Whipped Him
New President TO lie
Elected.

Washington. June 4.-Captain w. d.
Smith, of the Cuban army, spent consid-
cradle time again to-day with the senate
committee on foreign relations. In brief
interview with a representative of the As
sociated Press, he said:
The Cuban army is now in better condi-
ton to resist the Spaniards and 10 maintain
the fight for independence than it has been
since the beginning of the war. General
Gomez has a we'll disciplined army of
about coco men who are determined to
hold out until their efforts shall be crowned
with victory. Cur soldiers are rapidly pro-
curing arms, and every day serves to put
them on Il better footing in this respect.
Our troops enjoy vast advantage over the
Spaniards, in that they are not injuriOusly
affected by the climate. 1 may say that
1 have not seen a case of yellow fever or
smallpox among the Cuban soldiers since L
have been on the island, and that l have
not been sick a day myself. Furthermore,
we have no difficulty in feeding our troops.
In the portion of the country in which the
Cuban troops are in control, the provisions
are protected, and we draw our supplies
from this source. Our commissary is. there
fore, regularly renewed and our supplies
are received in quantities quite sufficient to
meet all our wants"
In reply to a question, Captain Smith
said: "All talk about autonomy and of
Spanish reforms for Cuba is so much
breath wasted. There is not a man in
the Cuban army who will agree to accept
anything short of absolute independence"
Captain Smith is an American. He has
been in Cuba for year. and is an officer
In General Gomez body guard.
Smith, who led Gomez escort I'm all re-
cent engagements with General Weyler,
says that the Cuban leader sticks TO his
old tactics of worrying the Spanish col
umns, but that now and then he tires of
lodging and gives them good sharp fight.
The most important one that has occurred
curing the present campaign took place on
the estate RefOrma toward the end of April.
Gomez was informed that General Wey-
Ter, at the head of y 900 men, divided into
eight columns, was TO make a supreme
effort to annihilate him. Hastily concen-
trating the forces of Major Rodriguez,
Pedro DiaZ and Bandera, numbering about
100 men, he waited for General Weyler on
the Reforma, and there occurred one of
the hardest fights of the war.
For two days Gomez successfully resist
ed every maneuver of General Weyler TO
General Weyler withdrew the bulk of his
forces to Sancu Spiritus. Major Smith
says that the Cubans never left the Re
forma. Gomez had twenty-eight killed and
thirty-nine wounded.
Gomez Will soon recrosS the trOcha of
Moron to be present at Najasa in the
month of August for the assembly of dele
gates, who will then meet to elect a new
president. The election will be controlled
Gomez will be assured of success. Captain
Smith says that the honor will be con-
ferred on Delegate T. Estrada Palma if
he Will accept 1t, and in the event of his
declining the successful candidate will be
DIR. Mendez CapOte.