The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-29
CUBA'S PATRIOT LEADERS.
THE WAR CHIEFS WRITE TO THE
Sun About DUE ATTITUDE.

So He"o hA0te W. HEAAns NuuA WNCh /
Prefers 60 Ne 1et Alone to right n out. |
HAVANA. Sept. 24.-Gens Maxine Gomez, |
CaliIto Garcia, jose Maria Rodriguez. v. Ducasl, |
and Alexandra Roiriguez, the principal military
commanders Of the Cuban Army. have replied to
q request from The SUN correspondent to give
their Vows on Gen. Woodford's mission to tho
Spanish Government and the present situation
OF the United States and Spain with regard to
the war In Cuba. Besides explaining the real
feelings OF the Cubans in tho field with regard
70 American intervention, the letters Of these
brave fighters show the stern attitude OF the
patriots and the difficulties in the way Of solv-
ing the Cuban problem without the acknowl.
edgnent by Spain q Cuba's freedom before
the island is converted into a desert.
Gen. Gomez writes from seborucal, Remedies.
Santa Clara province, under date OF Sept. 10:
II have often expressed my opinion that the
United States is morally under obligation to
give the Cubans belligcrent rights. President
Cleveland, when In power, knew my opinion
concerning this matter, and President Mckin-
Icy knows IL also. What less can tho great
American republic do for an American people
fighting for It's independence against the most
cruel and most backward OF European nationsi
II the sterling sentiment OF American patriot |
ism that inspired the founders OF the United
States Is shared by their descendants, this idea
| must strongly appeal to all true American
hearts.
but II the United States decides to interfere
and stop this war In the name OF humanity and
civilization. which is a holder step and surely
moro threatening to the peace Of that nation,
then there is only one way to do 1t, and that 10
to compel Spain to acknowledge Cuba's indie
pendence. What other kind OF interference is
possiblei We will never accept any concession
from Spain short Of our absolute freedom. So
long as q single Cuban has strength enough 10
handle n weapon the war for independence will
| 60 on in this country. Even IL he falls, the tri-
umph OF Spain over Cuba will DO but a halt in
the immortal struggle. A new generation of
Cubans, II the island is not totally abandoned
by human beings. will rise in arms
to free this land forever. Men may
be thrown into dungeons. fettered. and killed.
armies may DO ,nnihilated on tho field Of battle.
but the spirit Of freedom will never be ouelled.
for it lie rooted in the hearts Of our enslaved
people. The history OF Cuba shows this to be
true. The Cuban revolutionists OF 1868 took up
the lone star flag bequeathed to them by the
heroes and martyrs Of 1850. The revolution OF
1895 is the continuation of the war of 1868.
The deep-seated hatred which the Cubans have
for their ruthless oppressor is an unquenchable
feeling. SPANS rule means hell for Cuba. 1t
will mean it until the last Spanish flag is low.
cred on the last Spanish fortress in the island.
IL thC IN " iiNti II y
It, therefore, make Cuba free. Is that the mis-
sion to Spain OF Gen. Woodfo ID Then l APP
plaud Il. feel more certain every day that we
shall liberate the island from Spain by our own
efforts. Tho fact is known to the whole world
that zoe. 900 Spanish soldiers have failed to
C nquer US. We have said, also. that we do not
like 10 involve the United States in a war for
us, and that We only demand fair play from that
Government in our struggle with Spain. The
- ~ la 20. wa IL ,.I11 h-.-Fzr
be inspired only by her sense OF her own duty.
The statement OF some Spanish newspapers that
the United States will cooperate with spain 10
extinguish the revolution is too shameful to be
believed"
Gen. Calixto Garcia says under date OF Sept.
:, from Santa Catalina. near Victoria de las
Tunas: Cuba will soon be free. II the United
States interferes in a short time many lives will
be spared and a larger destruction Of property
will be averted. 1t will be a brilliant page in
American history. But be il known that we arc
not lighting merely In the hope Of securing our
independence through the Intervention Of tho
United States. Every Cuban soldier has conf
dence in his own patriotism and in the undated
resolution OF his countrymen to throw Off the
Spanish yoke.
In 1886 l was arrested in the United States
for the crime OF loving the freedom OF my coun.
try. The Spanish spies and the Spanish diplo-
mats secured warrants against me ana Otner
Cubans, and we were locked up by agents Of the
American Government. The American Admin
istration was then decidedly hostile to Cuba.
No hope could DO entertained OF intervention,
and yet we did our duty and fought, because
Cuba did not revolt to secure the help OF tho
United States, but TO make herself free.
81 have always been very s~keptical with re-
gard to American intervention. But II such in
PREVENTION comes for the benefit Of Cuba and
-. - IN "
diplomatic arrangement on the basis Of home
rule will be OF no use to us. II the question OF
homo rule is discussed between Washington
and Madrid. then, in my opinion. the best service
the United States could render us would be TO
let US alone to settle this and other questions on
the field OF battle"
Gen. DR.. Pedro E. Betancourt writes from his
headquarters near Sabanilla. Matanzas. on Sept.
10: You ask me what is my opinion about
Gen. Woodford's mission to Spain. II It is a
mission in behalf OF the independence OF Cuba.
! think 1t Is the performance OF a duty that the
American people has incurred since SPANS re,
fusal to accept the good offices OF Mr.. Cleveland
to end the war. II 1t Is not so. ] consider It a
new disappointment for the patriots"
Gen. Ducasi. from Pinar del Rio. writes in
similar terms under date OF Sept. IL. Gems.
jose Maria Rodriguez and Alejandro Rodriguez,
the principal leaders OF tho Cuban army in
Havana province. express also the same vtowa
on Sept 10. jose Maria Rodriguez writes:
at was a great utterance OF the heroic Maceo
that the Cubans ought to have more confidence
In the power OF the sword than in the wiles OF
diplomacy. Diplomatic negotiations with Spain
are a waste OF time. The Spaniards are the
greatest liars and deceivers on earth. and are
masters in the art Of gaining time by GLIDING
definite answers. II the United States is going
to do anything in behalf OF Cuba, why no,
recognize our belliRerencyl But anything done
in our favor will be gratefully received by us
, Meanwhile. with Intervention or without It, We
are fighting for FREQ Cuba. and fighting to the
death"
III ABOUT CUBAN CRUELTIEs.