The San Francisco call., 1899-04-08
GOMEZ AND CUBA.

T is we'll to watch the development of the Cuban
issue. We hold the island under military
government which goes on with the usual friction
which forever attends upon the exercise of arbitrary
power.
The problem Of the future from the Cuban side
impinges entirely upon General Maxine Gomez He
is a San DOMINICAN negro, OF military spirit
and training, of high intelligence and the genius OF
leadership He succeeded to command upon the
death OF Maceo, who was also negro, and for the
last eighteen months his name has been more promi-
nenty before the world than that of any other Cuban
leader That he is an adrot politician as we'll as a
brave and skilful commander is just now demon
strated His fent OF return to his wife and his
plantation in San Domingo, followed by the dssolu-
ton OF the Cuban military assembly, and his apparent
recall to authority by the popular voice, events
which he has controlled in spite OF domestic oppos-
ton among Cubans, and undoubtedly in the face OF
opposition and Encouragement offered by the mill
tary authorities and financial influences OF the United
States.
He stands for Cuban independence in good faith to
the people of the island and processes belief in the
good faith OF the United States. Therefore he treats
military occupation temporary and continues
his agitation for independence and se-government
Il stand in good faith upon the pledge made in
declaration of against Spain the policy OF
Gomez is also our policy
But there are indications that influences in this
country are at work which have no regard for our
plighted faith and none for the freedom and self
government of the Cubans. Hence the statement
published yesterday, that the political programme Of
Gomez means the keeping up OF agitation and dis
turbance in the minds OF the people and the weaken
ing OF American authority by producing the impress
sion that everything done by the Americans is tenn
/ r. >
Pray what other impression is possible as to our
presence in the island if we abide by our solemn
declaration? The programme of Gomez should be
regarded complimentary to the United States, in
asmuch it is the simple statement that told the
truth and will keep faith
But it is added to the above American observers
consider any such agitation extremely harmful to
industrial revival and the restoration of Cuban credit
Some who high in authority and who have ex-
ceptonal opportunities of knowing the character and
ideas of Gomez think the United States will have
trouble with him yet. His attitude has always been
consistent regarding Cuban independence and he is
still working for the end" If any American
will explain why we should not be working with him
to that end, instead of threatening him with trouble
if he persist, the country will be glad to know why
The American observers who think the consistent
programme OF Gomez is harmful to the industrial re-
vval of the island certainly do stand for the honor
OF their Government. They say to the Cubans:
'We came here the declaration of our Congress
that you and ought to be free and independent
and that would withdraw on your organization of
stable government But all agitation for the for
nation of such government weakens our authority
here We want industrial revival of your country for
our benefit, please Messrs Cubans go at work for
us on the plantations and raise for US sugar and
bacco, very cheaply and don't have anything to do
with politics. That is what it amounts to- and it
remains to be whether Cuban independence lost
all of its friends in this country when it ran counter
tc American desire for commercial profit
year ago the Cuban flag and the Stars and Stripes
were together in every window, and we all learned to
say Cuba libre" Is it possible that all this was
merely to get Cuba to exchange King Log for King
Stork?