The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-07-10
CALLS ON M'KINLEY.
Gen. Gomez, cuba's Grand Ole
Hero Calls on the Prs sidsns.
JUST q VISIT OF COURTESY
0an Leo Pays His Respects to
ths Savior OF Cubs
ard Ia ks Alb 3ut
tiim

Gen G,mez and party arrived at the
war department at 10 80 Wednesday.
After short conference with the sec
retary Of var they went to the White
House to see the president. While
Gen. Gomez was at the war department
he met Gen. Miles. Although the COM
mander Of the United States army has
been several times in Cuba, he and the
commander Of the Cuban Army never
met before. Secretary Root escorted
Gen. Gomez to the White House at II
o'clock this forenoon. The Cuban gen
ersl Wss accompanied by his son and
Senior Gonzales, the private secretary
of Gen. Wood. The President received
the party very cordially in the Red
psrlor. The interview lasted about half
an hour and at It's conclusion Gen.
Gomez reiterated through his iEterpre,
ter, thst his mission to this country is
in no way political. he came here to
visit his old friend, Senor Palma, aud
desired bAfore returning to see Presi-
dent Mckinley, for whom he has very
high regard, and to express to him per.
sonslly the deep gratitude he felt for
the assistance Of the United States in
the Cuban struggle. No political topics,
he said, had been touched upon during
the interview, which was purely social.
The president invited Gan. Gomez to
be his guest at dinner Wedne sday eve
ming. when he will meet the members
Of the cabinet now in the city.
Secretary Root remained with Pres
ident Mckinley for short time after
G. ID. Gomez had departed. When he
left the White House he said there was
absolutely no political significance in
the visit of Gen. Gomez. The gen.
eral, he said had never before met
President Mckinley and the call was
purely one Of courtesy, as Cen. G omez
did not feel that he could not return
home without seeing President Mo.
Kinley and paying his respects and
thanking him for what this country
has done for Cubs. After the dinner
Wednesday night Gan Gomez and his
son returned to New York.
Gen. F;tzhush Lee was among those
who called on Gen. Gomez at his hotel.
The visit recalled that interesting Pc
riod when Gen. Lac was the American
consul general at Habsna, and Gomez
vas leading the Cuban contingent in
the field. When asked for his view OF
Gen. Gomez, Gen Lee ssid:
Il am one Of those Of the opinion
that if it had not been for Comes
indomitable persistence the Cubsns
would not have held out until aid came
for them from the United States. It
was not 80 much as a fighter that he
distinguished himself for there vas not
much fighting to do on a large scsle,
but he held on in spite Of all disoour-
sgements and with rugged honesty re-
sisted the efforts Of the Spaniards, to
bribo him or his generals. He even
issued an order that any officer seek
ing to corrupt the Cuban generals be
shot, and while I was at Habana one Of
the Spanish officers who sought to
establish relations with Cuban officer
aotully suffered death when he fell into
the hands of Comes followers. It vas
his sentimental perseverance in foT.
lorn hope which distinguished Gomez
and which Won Cuba her independence.