Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-26
GOMEZ WOULD BUY FREEDOM.
willing to Pay n Reasonable lndeni-
nifty, "Pcrhaps 5000, 900 600"

for Independence.
New York, March PA dispatch to the
Tribune from Havana says:
Word has been received by the Tribune
correspondent direct from General Gomez
at his camp, near Sancti Spiritus. in Santa
Clara province. A week ago. when the
messenger left him. he was in excellent
health. and was planning an insurgent
campaign which should follow the expect
ed recognition of Cuban independence by
the United States. Apparently he did not
think Spain would Immediately accept in
tervention or mediation by the Washington
administration, and he believed the recog-
milton of independence would follow the re-
fusal. Such action he regarded as natur-
al sequence to the Maine incident and the
other incidents bearing upon the position
taken in the presidents December mes
sage. While preparing to take advantage
of whatever is done, Gomez does not look
for an early ending of the Cuban war.
His idea is that Spain will continue such
fighting has been going on. and will
not at once abandon the island. His mill
tary plans are based upon this view, and
he has impressed upon the insurgents that
they must not expect immediate inde-
pendence fact following the declara-
ton. The insurgent commander seems to
think that, while Spain will not now ac-
cept the good offices of the United States,
she might ultimately do so. Then, he be-
leves, the best proposition IS for the pur-
chase of the island by the Cubans under
guarantee by the United States.
That is best for all parties was his
language.
I'VE could perhaps pay s20o, ,000, 600 for in
dependence. Ii Spain will not take that,
she will take nothing away from Cuba eX-
cept her war debt. If she will accept in
hafp g re
it. The guarantees of the United States
would be in the nature OF protectorate.
Annexation would not follow. We know
the American people do not want to an
mex Cuba. All they want is commercial
treaty giving them trade advantages which
are naturally theirs.
- hope continued General Gomez,
there will be no war between the United
States and Spain. 1t would be costly. The
Spaniards are senselessly blind to their
own weakness. Besides, l fear that if hos
tilities between the two countries come.
it will Add to the burdens of the Cubans
when independence is secured The ISL
and is desert, and will remain SO while
Spain's rule continues
THE Tribune correspondents informant
says that Gomez discussed the relations of
the United Staes and Spain several times,
and always in language showing his earn
est desire that the American people might
be spared war. His anxiety was deep. 1t is
probable that Gomez sentiments on this
matter will be communicated to President
Mckinley. He is more concerned over it
than over anything else. 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
| t-be sufficient to meet.
Next to his hope that the United States
Spain. the significance of what he says lies
in his belief that the ultimate solution of
the Cuban problem is indemnity to Spain
for independence. That proposition may be
unpopular in the United States, but it
commends itself to the commander-in-
chief offthe insurgent forces, whose genius
| made the success of the revolution pos
sible. In December. when Blancos pros
pective military campaign and the conces-
sions Of autonomy We're unknown factors,
Gomez held this view. In March, when the
| failure Of that military campaign and the
collapse Of the new political system have
left Spanish sovereignty paralyzed. he re-
! iterates his conviction. Members of the
government in Havana who, ten days ago,
profesSed hope in the 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
Cuba go; others are more conservative,
| talk with moderation about the Maine re-
port and deprecate the war spirit. All
seem to believe that the Maine disaster
| will not, in itself, lead to hoStilities"