The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-16
Gen. Gomez
HAS an
Ambition

The New York Herald printed tho
ether day a communication from n cor
respondent whom it sent TO Gonoz's
headquarters TO learn the condition Of
the insurgent forces in Cuba. This cor
respondent, +. o. Somerford, was ca
gagged in business ON the island when
tho instruction broke out, and his prop
eZty was destroyed by the Spaniards
OF Gomez and his plans he writes as
follows:
Gomez is willy old man, and,
think, not without future political as
pirations in the government which will
be formed at the close of tho war. He
does not want the United States to land
an army in Cuba, except it be regi-
mcnt of artillery TO operate in conjunc-
tion with him. Gomez knows that an
American army will defeat Blanco, take
Havana and practically end tho war
within month after it lands on Cuban
soil He also Enows that the assistance
hc could afford in such a campaign
would be unimportant and insignificant,
except rs an adviser regarding the coun-
try, to the commanders. He realizes that
tho insurgents would cut but q sorry
figure in tho rapid operations surc 10
follow an American invasion. ualcss
months pass while they are being armed
and drilled into military habits other
than those Of gucrrillas. knowing all
this, Gor,ez docs rot want to be robbed
of the credit Of defeating Spain and end
ing tho war. Flo does not wiSh History
to record the fact that 10 lad - Eavo
assistance to crush Blanco and FREQ
Cuba
On the other hand, if Lc car persuade
the administration at Washington that
it il dangerous to land United States
troops in Cuba during the summer and
that hc caa defeat Blanco If provided
with arms. ammunition, and provisions
the future is bright with an augmented
reputation for him. Asa victorious gen.
cral Gomez may ask and obtain any
honor that free Cuba has to bcstow.
do not mean to convey the impression
that such an ambition is dishonorable,
but it affords clew to Gonlcz's mo-
tives, which should be taken into con-
sidcration in so important q matter a.
making dispositions TO end the war
In party which left Gomez's camp
few days before did was William ID.
Smith We came into Key West togeth-
er. Smith is tho bearer Of sealed COM
munications frcnf Gomez to Gonzales
Qucsada, I. Estrada Palma, President
Mckinley and General Miles. In these
letters Gomez urges the president and
General Miles not to attempt to laad
any United States troops in Cuba dur
ing tho summer, stating that great loss
of life from disease would result. Co
mez also assures the president that IL
provided with arms and food, in coop
Grafton with blockade, he can easily
defeat Blanco and take Havana without
q single American exposing his life to
the ravages of yellow fever and small
pox.
suppose these communications will
be regarded at Washington rs entitled
to great consideration. In my opinion q
policy based ON these recommendations
Of Gomez will rise like ghost to con-
front the American people afterward. II
Gomez really believes that he can deal
Win 4SialAtO ti't tAASl tft tiO 40 t%A<o-
taken. True with the active sympathy
and support Of the United States and
the assistance Of the fleet there is no
doubt that he can eventually win, but
! firmly believe that such a warfare
would not be ended year from now.
1t will be months, even under the
most favorable conditions, before Gomez
can put an army in the field capable of
meeting Blanco in open battlc and de-
fcating him. Even the veterans of Go
mez's and Garcias divisions arc not
good soldiers, as Americans reckon sol
diers. They arc good gucrril,as, brt
have no knowledge OF real military
service; neither have their officers /
do not believe tho insurgents can il any
numbers successfully attack q fortified
town, such rs Matanzas or Havana In
the open field the Spanish will defeat
them.
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