The times., 1897-06-05
MAJOR SMITHS MISSION
Cuban Officer Before the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee.
MESSAGE DIRECT FROM GOMEZ
Cuhans VIII Win, He Says, No MAJ
ter What the United states Does.
secret Sensational Statement Laid
Before the Committee -Going
Home to- WISCONSIN,.

Major William D. Smith, of the staff OF
Gen. GGrnez, who appeared before the
senate Committee on Foreign Relations
| yesterday for the purpose OF giving a
sworn statement in regard TO tie CUBAN
struggle. was seen last evening by Times
| reporter just before he left for has home
! at Mount Staring, Wis.
/ lt is understood That the ma lor has given
/ the committee some interesting and Sensss-
| tional In formation. all OF wh.oh tends TO
confirm the opinion heretofore expressed
| by 1t that d state of war exists in Cuba, an d
that the insurgents are entitled 20 tn,
rights OF belligerency.
AIaJor Smith eaIae direct from the head
quarters OF Ma jor General Maximo Gomez.
carrying. it is stated, important CORE
sponcence and messages to the junta in
New YORK City.
When asked last evening III ne had cols..
TO the United States as an emi.sary from
Gen. Gomez, he answered. Yes, have
cCIne on d special mission from Ma jor- Gen
erHt MasiIno Gomez himself" but would
nor state what the nature OF that mission
was, because he said he was sworn not t.p
Disclose any secret, nor TO touch upon
the testimsny which he has given before
the Senate committee. 1t was announced
that lie would speak at the Cuban mass
meeting held at the New National Theater
last night, but he refrained from doing
this, he said, for the same reason
Il viii Dot touch upon anything that
has been testified before the conInttec
in sworn statements. However, / will
say as far as the Cuban government, the
Cuban people. and the Cuban army, or
rebels as they are sometimes called, are
concerned, that they are much stronger
and better in every condition, having
more men, More arms, more amInunitos.
and more Tations than ever before. They
are eouteuted, bUoyant and confident OF
winning
I'VE would most gladly receive any
aid that the American, President, Con-
gress or people may extend in Fecug
niZing US as a baligeTent power, but
whether this is done or not, we are con
fident that our freedom Will have been
ea<ned inside OF twelve montks at the
most
would tie cubans be satisfied with
autonomy"
Il have talked with Gen Gomez, Presi-
dent Cisneaos, and the members Of the
Cuban council, and l have heard them say
that they would prefer To have Spain
tEanple over their dead bedies rather than
accept anything but absolute inde-
penhen ce,"
Maior Smith was formerly a captain in
the United States Army, and is the only
Amcricau officer who has reached the field
in C4Da.
He was second chief OF the personal
escort of Gen. Gomez, and as such lac
took part in all the engagements Of the
year. Gomez recently promoted him for
bravery displayed ~ the field. end TO
more FUZZY show his gratitude ordered
him on this special mission to New York,
at the same time granting him a long
fJriough 10 visit his family. He led
GoInez's escort in all the recent engage
meats with Gen. weyler, and says that
the Cuban leader sticks to his old tactics
OF worrying the Spanish cyluInns
Gomez viii soon recross the troche OF
Moron 20 be present at NaIassa in the
month OF August for the assembly of tIele-
gates that viii II eet to elect new pfesi-
dent. The election win be controlled BIZ
the army, and the candidate backed By
Gomez viii be assured of success. Major
Smith says that the honor will probably be
conferrel on Delegate T. Estrada Palma,
If lie viii accept it, and, in the event Of
his declining, the successful candidate will
be DR. MendeZ Capote.