The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-02-23
GOMEZ IS AELLON|NG
FraternizeS With Americans
at a Matanzas Banquet
SEEMS TO BE SATISFIED
ThatHe May Yet ForecIose on
the Cuban Presidency.

Matanzas, Feb. 22.-The banquet ten
dered here to General Maxine Gomez
last night was a brilliant affair and was
we'll attended The Junta Atriotica, winch
had charge Of the entertainment, refrain
ed from inviting Spaniards, which dis
nleased the Cuban commander. The ban
ouet was given in the theatre, the guests
numbering 200, and 1900 spectators were
present The boxes. were crowded with
ladies belonging TO the best circles OF
society. General Wilson sat on the right
of General Gomez and the Cuban General
Betancourt was seated on his left. Among
the occupants OF boxes were General San
ger and staff, the Cuban generals Garcia,
Garlic, Rejas. RenUs, Clement and Co
mez; the mayor, the civil governor OF Ma
tanzas, the members of the junta, the city
council, the prominent merchants Of Ma
tanzas, the members of the bar, Mrs. Will
son and Mrs and Miss Sanger. pic
ture of George Washington was promin-
entity placed on the wall. General Gomez.
during the banquet, left his seat and gal
lantly offered some flowers TO Mrs. VIII
son.
The speeches began at O'Clock. Senior
La Bostida, in the course Of his remarks,
sal dthe authorities at Washington would
never govern the country against its will,
a remark which was loudly cheered. The
house also cheered President Mckinley.
Senior Rivero sand General Gomez would
neXer leave Cuba. He was to bring his
family here from San Domingo and stay
always in Cuba The speaker referred in
glowing terms to Washington and was
loudly cheered. Senior Julio Ortiz. presi-
dent of the junta. welcomed General Go
mez to Matanzas. The Cuban commander
thanked his hosts and referred feelingly
10 the dark days of the revolution. He
said his gratitude at the welcome accord
ed him could not express the deep graft
tude of his heart. He made no reference
to politics and was so hoarse he could
hardly articulate- Gomez has been i'll for
several days past and looks tired out. The
banquet was over at Il o'clock. General
Gomez was cheered as he departed.
General Gomez dined at noin today al
the Spanish club, where a committee Of
Spaniards waited upon him u say that
they desired to express heir acceptance
of his policy Of 1malgama-, Dn, but had
not been invited to be present al the func.
ton of the previous evening. In reply
he expressed his pleasure, saying that the
war should be forgotten asd all tGe En-
mites of the past be buried.
This afternoon he visited the Amrican
camp with General Sanger and an escort.
General Gomez. who. with the geierals
and officers accompanying him, Will at
tend the ball, expects to leave for Ha-
vana tomorrow, arriving there in The
course of the afternoon. He may stop for
a short time at Guines.
New York, Feb pa special from Ma
tanzas says: General Gomez in an inter
view said: ''Since January l sentiment
throughout Cuba has changed materially.
Another two months will see all classes
fraternizing. One year will do more to
blot out the hatreds engendered by the
insurrection than ten did to reconcile the
people Of the north and south after the
civil war in the United States.'
Discussing the relations existing be-
tween Cuba and the United States, he
said: Ill Cubans acknowledge their dep,
debt Of gratitude TO the Americans. Go
where you will in this island and you will
find the Cuban and American flags float
ing together. But that does not mean
that the people wish the latter o replace
the former. Patriotism and love of couu-
try can never properly be weighed in the
balance against gold. yet many American
periodicals say the CUbans are blind be-
cause they cannot see the financial advan-
tage of linking their fate with the United
States. The Cuban birthright is not for
sale. Now, let me say that unless I
greatly misjudge the people of the United
States, the majority of them will demand
the redemption Of those promises made
by congress"