The record-union., 1898-01-07
Gomez Asserts That They Will
Never Yield
Until Absolute Independence Has Been Es-
tahliShed in the Island.
They Will Admit of No Other So
luton of the Present Conflict
Than That Whereby Cuba Shall
be Recognized as a Member of
the Sisterhood of Free Nations.

/
be Recognized as Member of
the Sisterhood of Free Nations.
| NEW YORK, Jan. 6.-The Herald
to-day prints the following letter from
General Maxine Gomez, Commander
in-Chief OF the Cuban army. dated In
the field, December 26, 1897"
! You ask me for my opinion regard
| ing what effect the autonomous regime
about 20 be implanted by Spain in Cuba
might have toward the pacificatiou
of the island. The Cubans in arms do
not purpose to give up; shall never
yield in their struggle with the metro
politans until they have established
| their absolute independence. No mat
| ter what number of liberties is granted
TO Cuba by any Spanish Government.
| even in case Spain should reserve for
herself no other right than TO keep the
| Spanish flag over Cuba as a symbol OF
| nominal sovereignty, she viii not sue
ceed in ending the war. The Cuban
people will admit of no other solution
of the present conflict than that where
| by Cuba shall be recognized as MEM
| Der of the sisterhood of free nations.
In this attitude of absolute radical
ism We are sustained by two great mo-
tives, which, unified as one single force.
impel the Cuban people as a whole as
wei las individuals, to adopt the grand
resolution of their existence-senti-
ment end interest: the former because
the Cubans feel that they have been
profoundly hurt by the horrible war
methods employed against them by
Spain; the latter because they are all
| firmly convinced that only as free men
! Will they be able TO enjoy peace and
command the necessary credit to re-
| construct their country which has been
devastated by Spain herself. In short,
Cuba not only wishes but needs to be
free. 1T is about time that Spanish
| statesmen should recognize this fact
and, leaving aside all chaotic autono-
my, should manfully confront the true
| problem.
Let the Spanish nation acknowledge
| Cuba's independence. which she justly
claims, and receive a compensation
which is right and equitable. And,
even let her claim from our Govern
ment some advantages in the Cuban
! tariff TO foster her own industries.
! Tnsn, and only then, will the rainbow
of peace tighten the horizon which is
ing fields and the firing of the cannon
| The Herald" also prints an interview
with General Gomez at a date later
| than the writing of the above letter
| The correspondent found General Co
mez in the best of health and spirits
and fully convinced that the long strug-
! gle is drawing to a close.
''The intransigeants of Cuba" said
| General Gomez, have been the only
ones willing to continue the struggle,
| because they feared that Cuban tri-
umph would result in their persecution
and the confiscation of their property.
| They are utterly mistaken. I, MaXimo
! Gomez, whose word has never been
| broken, assure them of absolute pro-
| lection.
Il know these people represent the
| thrifty business element of the island
and believe they are destined to rank
| among the most valued citizens of the
republic. The triumph of our cause
will bring to them assurance and per-
mission to follow their vocations in
peace. There will be no persecution,
either political or social. All we ask of
them is to help us in building up the
fortunes of the island and repairing the
waste of war.
Il say the same thing, too to the
Spanish officers in the field. They have
been fighting US. not because they hate
Cuba, but because they love Spain.
They have proved themselves to be
| loyal sons of the motherland, and
when they have laid down their arms
we will gladly extend to them the right
hand of fellowship. We will bury the
bloody past and go forward shoulder to
shoulder TO build up.
"Cubas laboring classes have been
almost destroyed and we shall need
men to till the soil. The rank and file
of the Spanish army Will fill the gap"
Speaking Of terms on which Cuba
might win freedom, General Gomez re-
iterated his statement that Cuba is still
waiting to purchase her liberty 1t is
believed that $3.50, 900, 600 would be an
equitable amount now. He said he had
no doubt that an arrangement could be
made with American capitalists to form
a syndicate, collect customs duties and
pay Spain in installments. In this way,
the General said, there would be pos
tive end to the war by the establish
| ment of friendly relations with SPAIN
when peace is declared he added.
Eve want to reckon Spain among our
friends
Referring to the ability of Cuba to
carry on the war; General Gomez said
his forces were ample and declared that
Cuba could continue the fighting even
if the soldiers had to go naked; that
the war cost the Cubans nothing,
whereas Spain'S lifeblood is being rap
idly drained by her enormous expenses.
He spoke in terms of affectionate ad-
miration for America, describing her
as the light of Cuba, and said he would
welcome intervention as affording an
instantaneous solution of the problem,
but deprecated annexation, although
willing to accept a protectorate.
Bird Again in Custody.