New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-16
CHIVALROUS GOMEZ.
THE CUBAN COMMANDERS FORCEFUL
CHARACTERIZE COURTESY
TO WOMEN

TO WOMEN
Havana April 1t.-Up to the present time the
photographs OF General Gomez have not done
him Justice In O. curious, persistent way. they
give him an angular figure, half desperate,
careworn expression, and age from seventy to
eighty years As n matter OF fact, the insur-
gent leader has a slender erect figure. as active
as a young man. He is sixty-two; but his face
is as smooth and free from lines as that OF
man ten or fifteen years younger His dark
eyes are bright, keen and searoi ing. In physi-
cal vigor Gomez is a remarkable man But he
Is even more remarkable in his fCrceful charac-
ter. 1t marks his face, strong end stern In re-
pose, but gentle, magnetic and winning when
he smiles. In selfdefence probably General
Gomez recently sat for his photograph. He
could not stand the wild, weird pictures Of him
here shop windows, that are at best carl
catures. So he had his photograph taken A
few days ago, and to protect himself, said IT
must be copyrighted. 1t is a good picture, true
and Iifelike.
General Gomez is plain and unpretendng-
thoroughly democratic in his tastes. There
never was at any time the least chance in the
nsurgent army for the "pomp and circumstance
OF war" On the contrary, all environments
rude and poor, and Gomez shared literally
the hardships and prvations Of his men. But
the common ground between General Gomes
and his staff officers is uncommon. There is
certain Difference of manner and speech shown
by his staff TO Gomez hat is not simply mill
tary etiquette and di scipline. II is a Difference
that one does not the part OF the Ameri-
can staff officer, no matter what the rank Of his
superior may be. Between Gcmez and his STAFF
there is not the suggestion of familiarity.
is a clear understanding and entire harmony Of
thought and action.
However brusque Gomez may be as a soldier
and unconventional in camp life he is extremely
courteous to visitors. He receives women with
a courtesy and quiet dignity that would grace
any drawing room On the occasion OF the en-
thusiastic demonstrations when h to
Havana IL the march OF a "conquering
hero" But IL was the women and children who
went wild in the streets, rushing IN crowds and
massing about his horse. utterly reckless of
danger The tender side OF his nature. in a
in his fondness and love OF children At Quinta
de los Molinos. where Gomez has his headquar-
tiers, children Of all classes go to see him. AZ
the house in town where his young son and
daughter are stopping with friends there are
half dozen children In the family. The mo-
ment General Gomez appears the children are
about him TO kiss him and sit his knee. and
in every childish way demonstrate their aYec-
ton for him. To his own and daughter
though they grown, General Gomez mani
tests the same tenderness that he shows to lit
tie children.
Clemencia Gomez is a pretty. dark-eyed girl
Of eighteen, and her brother, two years younger
is as bright, quick and alert an American
boy. Both educated in English speaking
the language without an cent They are the
only members Of the family who as yet have
come over from Santo Domingo to join General
Gomez here. They are very proud OF their
father. But they want to take him home. That
means more to this boy and girl than any honor
Cuba can give to General Gomez. my father
has given many years to Cuba" UrbanO Gomez
says, and now we vent him. We want to
take him home, where he will have no more
hardsbips and will have rest. But il he must
stay in Cuba, then my mother and all the
family will come here"