The San Francisco call., 1898-05-10

Cuban army of any strength cannot DC l mobilized until after food for 1t has been furnished by the United states Gomez cannot mobilize even such forces as he has until food supplies have been sent into the island by the army of any considerable size mobil- ized. His army would starve even if not crushed by Blanco.
 Gomez is a willy old man, and, ] think not without future political as- p1rations in the government which will be formed at the close of the war. He does not want the United States to land an army in Cuba, except it be regi- ment of artillery to cooperate in con- Junction with him. Gomez knows that an American army will defeat Blanco, take Havana and practically end the war in month after it lands on Cuban soil.
 "On the other hand, if he can per suade the administration at Washing ton that 1t is dangerous to land United states troops in Cuba during the sum- mer and that he can defeat Blanco If provided with arms, ammunition and provisions, the future is bright with an augmented reputation for him. As a victorious general Gomez may ask and obtain any honor that free Cuba has to bestoW
 Tn the party which left Gomez camp a feW days before I did was William D.. smith. We came into Key West to- gether. Smith is the bearer of sealed communications from Gomez to Gen. eral Quesada. T. Estrada Palma, Presi- dent Mckinley and General Miles Tn these letters Gomez urges the President and General Miles not to attempt to land any United States troops in Cuba durlng the summer, stating that a rf - result. Gomez also assures the Presi- dent that if provided with arms and food, with the cooperation Of the blockade, he can easily defeat Bianco and take Havana without a single American exposing his life to the rav- ages of yellow fever and smallpox.
 Il suppose these communications will be regarded at Washington as en- titled to great consideration Tn my opinion policy based on these recom- n1endations of Gomez would rise like ghost to confront the American peo- pie afterward. If Gomez really believes that he can deal with Blanco and end the war he is mistaken. It will be months. even under the most favorable conditions. before Gomez can put an army in the field capable of meeting Blanco in open battle and defeating him. Even the veterans of Gomez and Garc1a'sedfvision are not good soldiers. as Americans reckon soldiers. They are good guerrillas, but have no knowiedge of real military service Forty thou sand troops from the United States are enough to annihilate Blancos army and take Havana, and three-fourths of them can return after a campaign of a. month.
 The Spanish soldiers will fight. They remind me of pack of mules. As long as they are fed they can be driven. Their officers literally drive them into battle. generally taking a position be- hind the troops to urge them on. They are enduring and will stand hard treat ment"
 Somerford brings news that a few days ago Blanco telegraphed the Spanish fleet in the Philippine waters had won ga9t,s gaprlson t at Caibarien that the Spanish great victory. The officers prepared to give grand ball in honor of the vic tory. The ball had scarcely begun when second telegram was received announcfng that the Spanish fleet had oeen destroyeG. This news threw the assemblage into mourning and the ball was abandoned 0'''i