Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-24
THE PATRIOTS VOICE
General Gomez Sends a Message to
the American People.
INDEPENDENCE, AND NOTHING LESS"
His Army is Increasing and Au-
tonomy is Failing.
CUBA'S PURCHASE DISCUSSED
Copyright, 1893. by Charles NJ. pepper.)

HAVANA, March 23 via Key West
I transmit Maxine Gomez's last message
to the American people, 1t comes direct
from his headquarters, between Sancti
Spiritus and Placetas, in Santa Clara prov
ince. He has established his line of COM
munication from Placetas. Less than
year ago that town was Weylers head
quarters. While in Santa Clara not long
ago, messenger going out to the insur-
gent camp carried my request for certain
information. He has returned, bringing
the statements asked. This is the first
news received from the insurgent COM
mander-in-chief since the Maine disaster
and since De Lome's letter.
Gomez knew of the blowing up of the
Maine, and the probability of foul play,
but on that subject he sought to obtrude
neither advice. comment nor suggestion.
He wished the people of the United States
to receive the expression of sympathy from
him and from his followers for the loss of
the ship and the brave men whose lives
were sacrificed. All else he thought was
in the proviLce of the American govern
ment. Gomez does not want the United
States to begin war with Spain, in order to
settle either the Maine incident or the gen.
eral Cuban question. He hopes hostiIities
between the two countries will be avoided.
ITO take the first STEP" said Gomez
will cost the United States $200OOO,O0O,
and Cuba might have to pay half of that
amount. The most feasible and the best
plan for all is for Spain to sell the island
to the Cubans for not to exceed $500, 900 600,
with the guarantee of the United States,
which shall place a protectorate over it.
Annexation DisavOvved.
Il fully realize that the only annexation
the people Of the United States desire is a
favorable commercial treaty, and to have
the entire trade of the island, to which
they are justly and logically entitled.
Il can well appreciate the reluctance to
become embroiled with weak power, and
senseless, sensational people like the Span
iards.
Let Spain consent to the SALE and war
will be avoided
Gomez is awaiting in serene confidence
the early recognition of Cuban independ-
ence. He stated with frankness that he
did not hope or expect as early termina-
ton of hostilities as was looked for in the
minds of nearly all. The season is too far
advanced for that.
Il am prepared" he said, land my men
are equally determined to remain under
arms until independence is accomplished;
this and nothing less"
GomeZ's declaration ON this point was in
answer to q question in regard to the prop
ositions Of radical autonomists, with the
sanction of Blanco and Sagasta, that the
insurgents accept "amplified autonomy
with Gomez himself forming part of the
Cuban government. The old warrior will
never be part Of a government over which
the Spanish flag flies. His reputation of
these propositions was SO explicit and Ci-
rect that it left nothing further to be said
Gomez spoke with freedom regarding the
condition and strength of the insurgent
forces. The messenger who visited head
quarters informs me from observations in
different camps he is satisfied there are five
thousand insurgents in Santa Clara prov
ince, well armed and supplied with ammu-
milton, but lacking in clothing. He found
them full Of determination.
Insurgent Strength.
Gen. Gomez said: 81 wrote Martinez
Campos while he was in command and he
answered my letter. His successor, Wey-
Ter, l would not dignity in such manner,
but 1 did write Blanco and stated to him
that Spain is killing the young men of the
country, not in battle, but from climatic
diseases. She is exhausting her treasury
in hopeless war, for by the methods pur-
sue in resisting Spain's efforts to suppress
the revolution she cannot combat me sue
cessfully, and meanwhile my strength in
creases and hers diminishes. My army has
been underestimated, particularly now l
have in successful resistance to Spanish
rule nearly $4,000 men. Since autonomy
was first agitated have gained 5000 men
in the Oriente Santiago province) alone
Three days ago eighty men, many of them
Of the best Cuban families, reported to me
as having just left Cienfuegos. They were
well mounted and equipped and said they
got their horses and all from the guerrillas
without paying for them. That is one Of
many cases.
Renewed efforts have lately been made
by the government to bribe insurgents in
the field to accept autonomy
Gomez spoke Of these attempts with con-
tempt.
''In every army" he said, there are a
few traitors. With US. very few"
Treachcry That Failed.
He then gave an account Of an occurrence
near Esperanza, Santa Clara-of an at
tempt to induce two insurgent officers to
betray their followers into Spanish hands,
This event is said to have caused a pro
found sensation in Madrid. Here is the
story from the lips of Gomez himself who
cited it as an illustration Of the spirit per-
vading the insurgent ranks:
"Cayito Alvarez and Vicente Nunez, lieu
tenant colonels commanding in this army,
lad agreed to accept autonomy for money
consideration and had secretly arranged the
terms. The day they were to meet the
Spanish commander they took thirty men,
Capt Noa being the only other officer in