Evening star., 1899-03-04

the evidences of his strength with all
classes, said: 1T looks to me as though the
quickest way to settle everything mere
would be for us to withdraw and let Gomez
be made military dictator He was all
wrong and knew little of the real condi-
tions. Cuba will never tolerate a military
dictator. 1t would not tolerate one even II
left to itself without the United States in
the background to carry out the pledge or
good government. No one knows this bet
ter than General Gomez himself. He un-
derstands the aspirations of the Cuban peo-
pie and because he understands them SO
well he is able to accomplish much. But he
knows what an attempt to thwart those
aspra tions or to turn them to the account
of selfish personal ambition would mean. He
has been arbitrary in the field. That was
great help to the insurgent cause. His ma
ture will not change in peace. but ne Will
mold himself to suit the circumstances.
One of the Cubans who has been with him
in adversely and who has enjoyed his con-
fidence as much any man told me:
1.-The general is capricious in his moods
Nobody can tell today what he is going to
do tomorrow. But we always know that
he is working to a certain end. Every move
he makes bears on that end, though ne
may not explain the intermediate steps. 1t
is because we know him SO well that we
bear his harshness.
However Gomez has not been harsh since
he came to Havana. He has been preach
ing peace and unity of all classes, and has
been considerable of everybody'S feelings.
Unfriendly members of the Cuban assem-
bly, have ceased their opposition and are
now his supporters. The fiestas, banquets
and receptions are over and he is giving all
his attention TO the pressing questions of
the hour. He did not wait till the hestas
were ended till he had laid before General
Brooke his ideas of the line of action which
should be followed by both the Cubans and
the Americans. Probably some of his views
are not acceptable to the United States
government and will not he accepted by It.
But the American military authorities have
them in the form of a straightforward
statement. They will never lack for
definite declaration of what Gomez thinks.
When the insurgents were making their
strongest effort for American recognition
he thought that political independence and
commercial reciprocity was the future of
Cuba. He has lately reiterated the same
views. Some of his friends think that be-
fore the time comes for settling these ques-
tions he will modify his opinions and lean
to something which is more in the nature
of an American protectorate. / have seen
no sign that such a change is working in
his mind. Part of his strength has here
tofore lain in his confidence in Mayimo
Gomez and in the ideas he advocates. That
self-confidence remains. If his views change
the change will be made known by him
self. The Cubans who are leaning to
protectorate are not annexationists. They
and Gomez have no differences of opinion
on that subject. They are hoping that he
will come to a middle ground on independ-
ence. If he does not it is possible the first
split will occur and there will be the for
nation of political parties in Cuba. Bd.
no organization will be an anti-Go7aez
party. Whatever differences arise will lie
or questions of policy. The younger ele-
ment may ultimately find itself in the opp
sition, though all this is guess work.
Older Than Generally known.
Gen. Gomez is an older man than is COM
monty known. He is generally spoken of as
lin the sixties" His spare and wiry frame
gives an idea of his powers of endurance,
but not of his age. He is in the habit of