The San Francisco call., 1899-06-10
GOMEZ TO THE CUBANS.

THE old Cuban General does not intend to be
understood as giving up the fight for Cuban in
dependence and seIf-government. Gomez has
aspired to these too long to give up now. His
proclamation has plantive note OF disappointment
He salutes the United States the ally OF his coun
try but the signs OF the times The force OF his
words NAV be lost on American mperialists, but not
upon the Cubans. Describing the intervention OF the
United States as an ally and the downfall OF Spanish
sovereignty. he adds: But none OF thought this
extraordinary event would be followed by military
occupation OF the country by allies, who treat
as people Incapable OF acting for ourselves and who
have been reduced to obedience submission and to
the tutelage imposed by force of circumstances. No
European diplomat would have described situation
with greater skill He proceeds then to lay blame on
the Cubans themselves scolds them for their divi-
sons. for their party spirit and eNhorts them to
unite and hasten the end OF American occupation and
the beginning of self government. From the stand
point OF an American patriot the message is mex
pressibly sad 1t Is the dirge and eegy of the best
hopes OF two peoples.
In this country there is spreading a set purpose to
prevent unity in Cuba to promote their discord and
party spirit and disorder and anarchy to the end that
that unhappy island shall remain permanently under
military government and stay in vassalage to us.
This Gomez knows perfectly well, and knowing it.
says grmy that when his private business attended
to he will return Unless the American conscience
is reused and quickened his return will be useless
To disarm people is to subject them. In the crt-
cal period OF revolution France came as our ally.
She land and naval forces and turned the scales
against England When Cornwalls surrendered at
Yorktown and the eight years warfare ended we had
no organized government. The colonies were more
widely distinct and individual than the provinces of
Cuba. The Continental Congress had acted as a com
mttee OF common defense, but exercised no other
function OF government. There was no common
treasury, no money none OF the muniments of gov
ernment The Continental army was unpaid-n fact,
it never was paid Want and distress were abroad
Suppose that France. with her army on our
land and her navy controlling our coasts had con
Guided that she held sort OF divine trusteeshp OF this
country and had held out to the Continental soldier
his pay in one hand while reaching for his gun with
the other. and dsarming US had taken advantage Of
the absence OF government to subject us to military
rule. how would history have been written? Is there
less honor among Americans than there was among
the French-less fidelity to pledges than was shown
by the descendant OF Louis XIV? II the syndcates
aid peddlers have their way the honorable course Of
France toward us will be heightened by contrast with
the dishonor we threaten in the case Of Cuba.
Russia has never done worse. from Finland to
Manchuria, than Americans who call themselves
big Americans and talk piously about Providentia
missions and the Anglo-Saxon destiny and the
white mans burden" propose to do in Cuba Alas
and alas! Gomez may go into history to keep com
pany with John Souiesll, with Schamyl, Marco Boz
zaris and Ypsilant His name may be preserved as
one added to the list Of those who thought the weak
had rights and striving for them found that in this
hard world the only right OF the weak is the privilege
Cf an involuntary change OF masters