The times., 1898-02-02
PRAISE FROM SENATORS.
They Admire Gomez for His Answe
to BlancO.

" bmutO.
The story printed in Sundays Times
relating the infamous proposition of
Capt Gen. Blanco to Gen. Gomez and
the patriotic reply of that grand old
warrior is attracting the attention of
public men and calling forth many
comments on the conduct of the men
leading the contending forces in the
island of Cuba.
The patriotism of Gen. Gomez and his
ability as a leader make him the one
character in Cuba whom the Spaniards
most hope to win over with bribes in
order to take the mainstay of the in
surgents from them. How he with
stood that temptation and laid down to
Blanco a few precepts for honorable
and chivalrous conduct is now a part
of the history of this war.
Il look upon Gen. Gomez as one of
the grandest figures in Cuban history"
said Senator Foraker. He Is absolute
ly incorruptible and his ability as "a
fighter has been tested in two wars. /
know OF no man more hardy and more
daring as a fighter than this old man.
Gen. Blanco ought to have known that
he could never bribe man of so ster
hing character as that which Gomez
has. Personally trust he will win the
fight, and | hope to see the Cubans un-
der his lead gain their freedom for
which they have so long and so val
iantly fought"
The reply of Gen. Gomez" said SEN
ator Mason, was the answer of a pa
triot to the briber and the corruption
list; it was the reply of honesty and
vaior to trickery and cowardice. Gen.
his. and any man who thinks such
noble and self sacrificing person can be
tempted with the offer of money when
he is pursuing what he believes to be
his duty is mistaken in his judgment
of men. Gen. Gomez is a patriot and
is fighting for a freedom that cannot
be bought with few paltry dollars of
Spanish gold. His long service in the
cause of the island he loves so we'll
should have been sufficient warning to
Gen. Blanco not to endeavor to tri1le
with such man. Money nor any other
argument the Spanish can bring to
bear on the Cubans Will win them the
fight. Cuba is lost TO Spain, and not
being able to maintain an honorable
warfare in battle between strong men.
the agents of Spain have now begun
campaign of corruption and bribery.
That cannot win; Cuba is bound to be
free, and | hope the day is not far dis
tant when we shall see this country
offer its moral support TO the Cubans,
at least, in their struggle for liberty
The words of Gen Gomez Will ring
down to history as the words OF an
honorable man, Il warrior not afraid to
tell the truth, and fearless of his foes
said Senator Allen. THE offer of Gen
Blanco is a disgrace to the army of
Spain, but it is to be expected from a
government that conducts the unholy
war that Spain is now conducting on
that despoiled and desolated island
The words of Gomez ought to give the
Cubans more courage; they ought to
open the eyes of this Government to
the noble character of the men fighting
for freedom, and to compel the United
States TO appreciate the fact that there
is no end to this struggle but the sew
erance of the island from Spain. When
Gomez says that Blanco will need q
safe conduct from the island before he
himself does, Gen. Gomez speaks with
the mouth of a prophet. His words will
come true. for it is written in the book
of fate that Cuba is to wrest her free
dom from the tyranny of the mother
country
Senator Gallinger is another of the
ardent admirers of the Cuban war
riors. He is one of the heroes of
the latter part of this century" said
the Senator "and his deeds OF Yaior
Will live in history. He is one of the
most wonderful men of his time. Old
as he is he is an active fighter and
a most persistent foe of Spain. He
viii win the victory before the war is
over and he will go down in the his
tory of the future republic as one of
its pioneer patriots and it's patron
saint His life has been one long
struggle against tyranny and oppres-
sion, and when Gen. Blanco tried to
bribe Gomez he might as we'll have en-
deavored To tempt the angels above
him. This incident illustrates the
hopelessness OF the Spanish cause. 1t
tells the world better than anything
else could possibly do. the condition
of affairs on that island. and the alb
solute inability of Spain to cope with
the insurgents in the pending strug-
gle for liberty en- the one side ana
oppression, tyranny and corruption on
the other"
Mr. De Almond. of Missouri, said:
Concerning the sentiments said to
have been expressed by Gen. Gomez in
answer to a letter of Capt Gen. BIan-
co, printed in The Times, there cannot
be two opinions. 1t is evident that the
veteran Cuban chieftain is animated by
the same heroic spirit which animated
our revolutionary fathers in their
struggle for independence from a rule
a thousand times milder and more just
than that which the Cubans have found
uncomfortable. What could be nObler
than this, attributed to the old Cuban
hero: Have | reached my present age,
fighting, as / have done for thirteen
years in the field for the independence
of Cuba, and for thirty years cherished
that ideal as the greatest in my life,
only that you or anyone should believe
that at the end of my journey / should
cover myself with ignominy by accept
ing the base reward of money from
Spanish captain general for the cow
ardiy abandonment of my army?
Turning from the patriotism of Gomez
to the pro- Spanish course of the Nc
Kinley Administration, admiration
ends"
Mr. King. of Utah in referring to the
remarkable letter said:
The whole life of Gomez is protest
against the tyranny of Spain and an
evidence sufficient of his patriotism and
devotion to his country. without the
further proof mis- letter furnishes. Brib-
ing is the only hope Spain now has for
obtaining success. / believe that with
out any interpostion on the part of
Cuba she can win her fight. Autonomy
has failed and Efforts to bribe the
leaders have not succeeded. Spain will
try to continue the war so long as pos
sible but Cuba is bound to obtain the
freedom she has so gallantly struggled
for. 1t is possible that Spain may bribe
a few subordnates to desert the cause
of independence. but the leaders and
great chieftains can never be seduced
from their allegiance to Cuba The
friendship of this country is helping the
Standards. Mr. McKinley'S policy is