The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-01-01
WHAT WAS EXPECTED
Gomez Rejection Of Autonomy No
Surprise at Washington.
VIEWS OF MINISTER DE LONE
Ho says lie Looked Dor q Rejection.
but Intimates An Acceptance May
Eventually Come Relief % Bs
sent 20 the CubAa-

New York, Dec. si.--The interview
with General Maxine Gomez, in which
the chief Of the Cuban insurgents de-
elaros that autonomy will never BE- &C.
oeptel, was read with great interest at
the state department and Spanish lega-
ton, says the Washington correspond
ont o. Tho Herald.
The refusal Of General Gomez 10 con.
slider SPANS autonomy plan caused no
surprise at the legation. Minister Do
LONE has not at any time expected
that General Gomez would Immediately
accept an offer Of autonomy, though he
does not credit all the statements that
have been attributed 10 Gomez in some
Of the dispatches from Havana. He said
that he had believed for some time that
itwould b. some time before there would
BE- a general acceptance Of autonomy by
the insurgents In the field.
Officials Of tho state department ex.
pocted that General Gomez would hold
out against the acceptance Of any terms
from Spain short Of complete indepond.
enoe, and they arc not surprised az his
defiant statements. They do not agree
with him, however. In his opinion that
he and his followers viii soon be able 10
achieve the Independence Of Cuba with
out the assistance Of the United States
The Red Gross society has been invited
by the administration 10 aid In the col
lection Of money and supplies for the 10
lief Of the sufferers in Cuba. Tho or.
iginal plans Of the administration called
for no assistance from tho society at
In any way, bat recognizing tho inhu-
ence Of the organization Il was deter
mined by the president 10 ask Miss Clara
Barton TO call At the state department
and discuss matters with Assistant Sec
rotary Of State Day. An invitation was
sent 10 Miss Barton In accordance with
this decision, and il Is expected she win
early In the week take up the relief
matter.
Tho authorities here were astonished
az the statement cablcd from Havana
that Consular Agent Madrigal Of Santa
Clam carried a letter from President
Mckinley 20 the insurgent commander,
Gomez. IL has even been reported that
when he apTcared In General Gomez
camp bis life was threatened, and he
only siyed himself by rcprcscnting that
b. boie communications from the prcsi.
dent of the Urited States.
II he made any such representation
they weV false There il good author,
ity FOR the statement that he carried ab.
soluicly nothing from either the prcsi,
dent or SECRETARY Sherman. The presi-
dent himself ays that the suggestion
that he sent any communication 10 Gen
Gomez by Consular Agent Madriral Il
absolutely false. Secretary sherman /,
equally emphatic in denying that he Dor,
any communication from the state do
partmsnt.
Mr.. Madrigal was sent 20 the insur
gent camp by Consul General Lee 9,
look after the effects Of an American
correspondent named Crosby. who wa
with the forces Of General Gomez an,
was shot in an engagement some month
ago, General Loe arranged with Gen
Blanoo 20 permit Mr.. Madrigal 30 pas
through the Spanish lines 10 the insur
gent camp for the purpose Of socurin,
these Effects. Whatever else the agen
may have done has been without In
structions Although Mr. Madriga
was appointed consular agent In Feb
ruary, the Spanish government has neve
granted him an exequateur. His mis-
sion Is looked upon A. unofficial.
Assistant SECRETARY Day has rccoive
response from the Wand line In Ne,
York stating that the steamers Of tina
line viii accept supplies for Cuban sui
forvrs frce Of cost. Residents Of Nor
tana contributed $500 20 the relief {
Cubans The SECRETARY OF state has d
rccted the distributing officer Of th
state department, Frank A. Branagar
10 take charge Of any money and SUI
plies, and forward them 10 Consul Ger
/ Lee.
Wa Arreafed WaF .rohn WIKI. W...sl