Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-25
GOMEZS VIEWS.
Cuba is Willing to Pay Generous
ly for Freedom.
Would Like to Have the United States
Guarantee the Purchase Debt-De-
plores Idea Of American War
With Spain.

New York, March PA special to the
Tribune from Havana, via Key West,
says: Word has been received direct
from Gomez, at his camp, near Sancti
Spiritus, Santa Clara province. A week
ago, when a messenger left him, he was,
IN excellent health and was planning an
tnsurgent campaign which would follow
the expected recognition of Cuban inde-
pendence by the United States.
Apparently, he did not think Spain
would accept intervention or mediation
by the Washington administration, and
he believed the recognition of independ-
ence would follow the refusal. While
preparing to take advantage of what
ever is done, Gomez does not look for
an early ending Of the Cuban war His
idea Is that Spain will continue such
fighting as has been going on and will
not at once abandon the island. His
military plans are based upon this
view.
Gen. Gomez seems to think that while
Spain will not now accept the good Of
tlces of the United States, she may ul-
tlmately do so. Then he believes the
best proposition is for the purchase of
the island by the Cubans under a guar
antee by the United States.
THAT is the best for all parties" was
his language. 1--WE could perhaps pay
$2OO,0OO,000 for independence. If Spain
VIII not take that, she will take nothing
away from Cuba except her war debt.
II she will accept indemnity before it is
TOO late we can pay it. The guaran-
tee of the United Staoss will be in the
nature of protectorate. Annexation
would not follow. We know the Ameri-
can people do not want to annex Cuba.
All they want is a commercial treaty
giving them trade advantages which are
naturally theirs"
II hope" continued Gen. Gomez,
There will be no war between the I'm
tied States and Spain. 1t would be
costly. The Spaniards are senselessly
blind to their own weakness. Besides
I fear that if hostilities between the
two countries come 1t will add to the
burdens of the Cubans when independ-
ence is secured. The island is a desert
and will remain so while Spains rule
continues. Too much should not be
laid upon 1t when peace comes"
The informant says that Gomez dis
cussed the relations of United States
and Spain several times, always show
ing his earnest desire that the American
people might be spared war. His anx-
iety was deep. 1t is probable that Co
mez's sentiments on this matter will be
communicated to President Mckinley.
He appears to think that in case of
war Cuba would be asked to pay a
portion of the war expenses, which the
resources of the island would not be
sufficient to meet.
Gomez dismissed with single word
the suggestion of modifying autonomy
so that 1t would be acceptable to the in
surgents. They will treat with Spain
on no basis except that of outright in
v,.lrr IL 10
the autonomist government, which is
said to be trying to win his followers
by bribery. saying that the Cubans
would remember them. These efforts,
he declared, were frutless, as was
shown by the few isolated instances in
which money had induced insurgents to
present themselves.
On the other hand; Gomez said he was
constantly receiving reinforcements. He
stated that in the eastern part of the
island the insurgents have received 5000
recruits since autonomy was proposed.
Other evidences of their renewed
strength was given. Perhaps the best
evidence of this is that the insurgents
occupy a large portion of Santa Clara
province unmolested. The present meth
cd Of warfare, Gomez said, would be
kept up until Spain withdrew.
He still counts on the climate as a
Spanish armies than the weapons of the
insurgents, For the Spanish soldiery,
he uttered the most kindly sentiments,
saying that wheh peace came, 1t was his
hope that they would remain in Cuba
and help in its recuperation.
To the Spanish property owners on the
island, he reiterated his previous dec
larations that they would be protected
in their property and would have moth
ing to fear under a Cuban government.
Gen. Gomez said that when recognition
was accorded there would be no trouble in
finding the civil government of Cuba. He
would quickly conduct the proper persons
from his headquarters to it. His personal
sympathy was extended to the American
people for the Maine disaster without as
administration should follow. Members of
the government in Havana who, ten days
ago, profes5ed hope in negotiations with
Gomez, now know that no prospects exist.
Some are again turning to war with the
United States as the only means of letting
go Cuba. Others are more conservative,
and deprecate the war spirit