The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-04
AS CUBANs SEE GOMEZ.
Havana's Reception to the ola Com
mander-COIOr Distinctions.
w. E. Gonzales, in Columbia State.

w. E. Gonzales, in Columbia State.
Havana, Cuba, Feb. 27.-"What win be-
come of Gen. Gomez?" is a question that
is agitatng some Americans, and the same
people are under the impression that "the
old man" has but short time for Chis
world. To one who witnessed the popular
demonstration of Friday, when Gomez
stood on a balcony of the governor gen
erals palace for four hours while thous-
ands did him honor. and attended the ban
quet last night where the wealth and re-
finement of Havana was so represented,
there can be no doubt as to what Gu
bans would do for this hero had they their
viii. AS to the generals health and
strength, they are both astonishing. After
the days of journeying through the coun-
try, parlicipa ting in parades, holding re-
ceptions and attending banquets, the old
fellow seems able TO endure another cam
paign without a rest. He has broken down
his staff. and the horses are tagged out.
DIR. Emilio Nunez, a general who has done
much for Cuba. and who is now accom-
panying Gen. Gomez, said: Really, his
strength is wonderful
During that almost interminable review
of Friday l was on the balcony within ten
feet of Gen. Gomez, looked into each face
that was upturned and saw the alteration
shine upon them. Such expressions are
seldom seen except when people are in
religious ecstacy. Women, old women,
would stop in the procession when oppo-
site their idol fall on their knees and.
while sobblng, frantcally- beat their
breasts, crying out words of alteration,
extending their arms as to the Savior.
Others in carriages would break down and
weep. Some of the men became fran
tic, stopping the procession while they
cried out inarticulate words dancing, with
distorted countenances. The conduct OF
some men at a Tillman meeting in South
Carolina in 1880 was the only approach l
have ever seen to this.
OF the thousands of men. women and
children who passed in review not one
failed to try 10 catch the eye of the Cuban
chief, many wistfully looking back long
after they had been pressed forward
Would not kings divide their heritage for
such an exhibition of popular love?
The Cuban soldiers as seen in this pro-
cession or review were proba bly, the f1ow-
er Of the army. The large majority of the
infantry were negroes, many pure black
The horsemen, on the other hand, were
mostly whites In the procession there were
10 negro generals, who were local favor
ties receiving ovatons as they rode
through the pathway through. walls OF
humanity Those negro soldiers with their
swinging walk with no accoutrements or
impediments but rifles and cartridges. i'm
pressed one as being fighters. Not our
style. perhaps. but men who can march
twice as far on half rations as our men;
creep and crawl over hill and through
iungIe and accomplishing. They are NOT
so pretty as the panther. but some how
they remind one of him. The men may
need different officers to train them to our
style of fighting, but not to continue in
the methods that the few have made so
effective against the many
The banquet to Gomez last night was
not only a transformation of scene but
an entire change of class. There was not
a negro, or mulatto either, at the ban
ouet or occupying any of the boxes In the
theater-a satisfactory answer to those
who protest against social equality in
Cuba. This was a social compliment to
the military leader of the people, yet none
of the negro generals present in the city
were invited. Hundreds of beautiful wo-
men occupied boxes, standing and applaud
ing patriotic speeches. A gentleman who
had lust reached the island that day from
New York was admitted to the hall by a
courteous doorkeeper that he might zee
what Gen. Gomez looked like. When ne
asked that often asked question. Can
the Cubans govern themselves, and asked,
"Can these people be trusted with self
government" YES" he answered Il
have seldom seen so fine body Of men.
or women. with such refined faces"
w. L. g.