The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-13
Gomez
The Idol
OfCubans

"A thin. wiry little man, with slight
ly STOPPING shoulders and the whitest
Of white, hair and beard, light brown
eyes that snap and CLEAN through steel
rimmed spectacles, a man somewhat
given to gesticulation and modulated
voice-that Is Maxine Gomez, the lead
or, the hope, the idol Of the Cuban peo-
pie, as he is today in his camp in the
Juan Lopez mountains.
Maxine Gomez, sitting under his
"casa cnmpana" and writing dispatches
on the little camp stool that serves as a
table. looks all of his threescore years
and ten. But let him straighten up to
give an order to one of bis aids or to
discuss anything connected with Cuba
or the war and no one would take him
to be more than so. You forget in an
instant the dignified, scholarly old let
ter writer and see only the valiant SOL
der whom Spain has meyer conquered.
General Gomez was the only officer in
his camp who did not wear the regula-
tion white blouse and trousers of the
Cuban uniform. His costume was more
nearly that of an officer in the United
States army. He wore dark gray
slouoh hat. black top riding boots. dark
trousers and blue waistcoat that hung
unbuttoned over q colored shirt, on
which q knotted white handkerchief
took the place OF collar. He wore no
coat. His officers say he seldom does.
For ell the Cuban commander in chief
is trim, we'll Rroomed man. There are
BARRIERS in his camp, and one of them
is in daily attendance upon the general.
His clothes are always spotless and we'll
ironed. Gomez is most regular in his
habits. Nine O'Clock, "silenta" (taps),
almost always finds him asleep in his
hammock, and he has never yet failed
to respond to reveille, which, in obedi-
ence to his own orders, is always sound
ed at sunrise. When not leading some
Cuban attack on Spanish fort or con-
voy, he spends most OF his time in his
hammock. reading Spanish and Ameri-
can papers which Cubans in the towns
have smuggled out to him CT writing
orders and dispatches to be carried by
couriers to all part of the island.
The New York World correspondent.
Francis III. Nichols, was introduced to
General Gomez by Colonel Rosa. chief
Of staff. The general arose from his
hammock and shook hands.
II want to express to The World, :"
he began, "and through it to the 70,-
600, 600 of American people our deep
gratitude for what they have done for
suffering Cuba by recognizing her in
dependence. The news, Of which you
bring the first authentic announcement,
Is the most welcome that have hoard
since che war began. Cuba will be q
sister to all of the republics of America.
but chs will always be a daughter Of
tire United States. We can never forget
that we owe our existence as a nation
TO. the United States. Although am
glad that the reason assigned by the
president makes Us q nation it cannot
possibly be interpreted to mean any
thing that looks like annexation.
"I have always said," General Co.
mez continued meditatively as he twist
cd his beard, "that the United States
bad really no just ground for war with
Spain until after the Spaniards blew
up the Maine. After that, so deeply did
feel the terrible outrage that had been
committed upon the American people,
that had l been at my home in Santo
Domingo instead of here in the fields Of
Cuba ! should have gone at once to the
United States and enlisted as private
soldier in the army to help the glorious
republic avenge that national disgrace.
"You Americans make great mis-
take il you think that you can drive
Spain of this island within a short
time. 1t will take six months at least,
perhaps longer. No one knows better
than the ability of the Spaniards as
fighters. Spaniards are fools. They are
cruel animals. They are quixotic. But
they are brave. oh, yes, they are brave!
They will fight to the bitter end. Moth
ing but the fiercest kind of fighting can
drive them out Of Cuba. fear that
Americans will exercise too much leni-
ency and forbearance in dealing with
the Spaniards. When did Spaniards ev-
er show any lepienoy or humanity in
war or at any other time for that mat
ter? Why should Americans treat them
in any other way than that in which
they have always treated Cubans and
every other people whom they have
come in contact with? This blockading
Of seaports Is oil right as far as it goes,
but it does not 60 far enough. / do not
believe that IL will ever make Spain let
60 her grip on Cuba. at least for long
time. The navy will go on blockading
for the next six months. Nothing will
have been accomplished. The Amcri-
cans will be tired and disgusted, and
then Spain will ask for an armistice.
The United states will grant it. and
that will put an end 10 the war"
do you want American infantry to
help tho Cubans?" tho correspondent
asked.
General Gomez twirled his beard for
q moment before be answered:
1--WE don't want them now; perhaps
we shall later on. but certainly not at
present. When the rainy season is be-