Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-07-06
Gen. Gomez's VisitOpens Up New
Charter.
HIS PREFERENCE FOR 4 PRESIDENT
Why He Has a Good Opinion of
Estrada Palma.
RESURRECTION INCIDENTS

visit to the United States, has opened UP
a new chapter in Cuban politics. That he
was sure Of a kindly reception was known
from the start, because the American peo-
pie always have recognized him as the real
chief of Cuba's struggles fer independence.
Yet it is certain to crafty the old general
to find how thoroughly his position is APP
preciated in this country by the authori-
ties as well as by the people. He will go
back to Cuba with better understanding
and consciousness that the attempts to
belittle him as a professional revoIutionist
never made any impression.
Something more than two years ago,
when there were a number of perplexing
questions which caused good deal of fric-
ton, member Of President McKinley's
cabinet asked me one day: why doesn't
General Gomez come up here and talk with
President Mckinley? They are both good
politicians and between them they would
settle all those troublesome questions At
that time there were reasons why General
Gomez could not come to the United States
but these reasons were not apparent on the
surface. He was then quite anxious to see
and talk with President Mckinley and
doubtless would have been given a cordial
welcome. Since then the irritating ques-
lions have been settled, partly by the
Presidents even-tempered policy and part
ly by the cooperation which General
Gomez gave to the American authorities
Possibly because everything in Cuba is
proceeding so smoothly toward final settle
ment the long-deferred interview of General
Gomez with President Mckinley was even
more satisfactory than 1t would have been
a couple Of years ago. Enthusiastically it
grat1fied the old generals pride to see the
President and talk with him personally
on more than one occasion he has had
reason to know that neither his enemies at
nome nor his detractors in the United
n Guynx SlD
tlon from giving him just recognition of
his position and his influence.
His Characteristic Statement.
Inc diplomatic statement which Gen. Co
mez gave out few days ago was a disap-
po1ntment to those who thought he was 60
ing into full discussion of Cuban politics
Tor the benefit of the American public The
statement was characteristic OF mis- caution
IhoSe VINO know what Is going on have
no nc, doubt doubt that Gen. Gomez. in addition to
to the United States to confer with Estra-
da Palma regarding the future government
of Cuba. Nor do those who know the old
general well doubt that he is paving the
way to remove his own personality from
being an obstacle to unity of action among
the Cubans In choosing their first presi-
mt.
for that office is more than probable. That
his support will insure the election of
Palma also is quite likely, although the
anti-Gomez faction in Cuba will begin to
come dictator by naming the chief execu-
1--WE, and that Palma will be Maxine
Gomez's man" This will not be true, be-
cause some OF the strongest opponents of
that If Palma is not chosen nothing can
prevent the election Of Maxine Gomez
himself, and since he Is willing to aid in
the election OF another man they are glad
fn 80 ,i%l L
Is yet undetermined how fully the mass of
the Cubans will fall in with this program
recently l noticed in the reports from
Santa Clara province that while the peo-
pie were said to be friendly enough toward
Palma, the majority of them preferred
Maxine Gomez himself for president, and
the old general is the only man who can
convince them that they should take some
body else.
Gomez's Liking for Palma.
Gen. Gomez's liking for Palma grows out
of the latter's management Of the Cuban
1unta. During some periods Of the insur-
rection he did not have much use for the
junta or for some of it's members. The
taxes which he levied on the unwilling
sugar planters and which he collected,
TOO, were sent to them to buy arms and fit
out filibustering expeditions Probably it
was Impossible for the junta always to
comply with the generals wishes in send
ing arms and supplies, and at times he
criticised its members bitterly for their
supposed Indifference or their ignorance,
but this criticism was not directed against
Palma
1t is cause Of Generalization both to
me the cubans and to the American people
government will go on during the lifetime
OF General Gomez. This is not because
ne mas talents for civil administration or
even the constructive capacity for he is
lacking in those qualities
1t Is frank opinion of both friends and
foes that he would not make good chief
executive yet with some one else as presi-
dent and with General Gomez freed from
responsibilities which would be distast eful
to his temperament and alien to his mill
tary training he will exert powerful moral
influence on the new government. 1t is
complained that he represents the popu-
lace, the negroes and the rabble. This
Is only half truth. The Spaniards and
In him than in any of the other Cuban
leaders, but PROFESSIONALLY he has the
blind devotion of the populace. Since one
or Cuba's gravest perils comes from the
some share in the formation of the new
government, 1t Is fortunate that they turn
to a revolutionary chief who is so con-
sentative as Gen. Gomez.
In dealing with his followers an autocrat
he always has been and always will be.
but since they are willing to be Influenced
by an autocrat who knows the needs OF the
country and is sincere in his devotion to
his people there need be no worry in the
United States because the populace. the
negroes and the rabb1e acknowledge the
leadership Of General GameA.
DISARMAMENT Of Ins1rgent Troops.
In Cuba the march of events has been so
swift that 1t Is forgotten in the United
States how delicate the conditions there
were at one time. It Is only little more
than two years since the military assem-
bly,, instigated by American spectators,
was seeking to defeat the acceptance OF the
IS, 100000 advanced by the United States to
secure the disarmament OF the insurgents
The movement had even greater force than
was commonly known because some Ameri-
can military officials had committed them
selves thoughtlessly to a scheme provid-
ing for $4,000 900 loan.
As will be recalled, General Gomez met
the overtures from President Mckinley
frankly and gave his pledge that the in
surgents would accept this preliminary pay
ment and disband. The assembly deposed
Gomez from his command Of the insurgent
troops. American officials both In Havana
and In Washington were nervous over the
outcome. General Gomez was cool and
confident. He called the military assembly
"a collection Of black clouds with much
thunder, but little rain" He was right
a kAv~ kl~~ 49, - NV>1 l~nU