Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-01-06
GOMEZ INTERVIEWED
The lnsurgent General Says Cuba
Wants Independence.
OFFER OF AUTONOMY an INSULT,
insurgents Would Gladly Accept Jnterveu.
tion by the United States, but They
Can Achieve Independence
II Let Alone,

NEW YORK, Dec. S1.-A correspondent
OF the Herald has just returned to Ha
vana after having visited the camp Of
Gen. Gomez After long and peril
GUS ride through country infested with
Spanish troops, he reached Gen.
Gomez's camp on December IS, and
found the general in excellent health
and spirits. The correspondent put
before the general the programme Of
autonomy in order 10 secure his opin.
ion. The general smiled contemptu-
ously, after glancing over copy Of an
Havana paper containing the terms,
and said
There Is no use wasting time in discussing
these terms 1t makes no difference whether
they may be regarded as liberal or not The
TACT remains that we are not fighting for auton-
omy' but for independence This Spain seems
utterly unable to realize We have been told
that the autonomy offer is an act Of liberality
by the mother country to induce the patriots In
arms to resume their allegiance to Spain. That
is worse than folly. 1t Is an insult to the men
fighting for freedom There is not In the Cuban
army one officer so base as to accept such
terms. We Will not even listen to any over
lures and any person entering our camps for
such purpose will be put to death in accord
ance withmy general orders.
Continuing, Gen. Gomez said that he
had no faith in the ability of Spain to
Immediately plant autonomy, even in
the sections under Spanish control,
but whether she succeeded or not, the
matter was OF no moment to the men
in the field, who would continue to
fight, animated by love of freedom
and an absolute confidence in ultimate
success. The correspondent asked
Gen. Gomez for his opinion as to Amer
lean Intervention and the annexation
of Cuba to the United States. He re.
Piled
Intervention does not necessarily imply an
neXaton. would gladly accept the former, as
would accept aid from any quarter, although
l believe II left alone we will achieve our own
unaided, and am loath that we
should be robbed Of any share in the honor of
the expulsion Of the Spaniards As far as an
nexatlon is concerned, cannot admit It's pos
slplllty' 10 that proposition make the same
reply as do to the autonomy pan-that our
object Is independence. We have among us
young men who have sacrificed everything to
his sacred cause. For myself, am an old |
nan, who now has but one object in life, and |
hat is to see the flag Of Cuba supreme from |
Jape Maysi to San Antonio
we have already made fearful sacrifices and |
We stand ready to make more in order to |
lchieye this glorious end | know that the |
'cople Of the United States will never balk us |
IL this, our hour OF victory The idea of arbi-
rary annexation Of this territory is inconslst- ,
mt with the principles upon which the Amer
can republic Is founded II in the future after
)uha has won her freedom and 1t is demon
trated that she Is capable Of self-government,
became apparent that her interests would be
dvanced by incorporation into the United
states, would be the last to object if an ap-
lleatlon should be made for the honor OF ad-
1sslon to the great sisterhood Of states. That
very different thing from annexation
Asked as to his views on an Ameri-
an protectorate over the island, Gen,
'omez replied that he had no objec-
ion, believing it would carry guar
ntee OF peace at home, with the re-
pect of all nations, and would permit
uba to work out her destiny under
he most favorable conditions. In re-
urn, he believes that Cuba should, in
err commerce, favor the United States
bove all nations.