New-York tribune., 1901-07-04
GOMEZ AT WHITE HOUSE.
THE PRESIDENT TREATS HIM WITH
MARKED CONSIDERATION.
HIS MISSION THOUGHT TO BE IN CoNNEC
TIoN WITH CLAIMS AGAINST THE
CUBAN REPUBLIC
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TR1BUSE.l
CUBAN REPUBLII

GBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUSE.l
Washington. July 3.-General Maxine Gomez
has been treated in Washington to-day with
hospitality and consideration that usually are
extended only TO the most distinguished for
eigners No representative of the royal fami-
lies Of Europe who has visited Washington has
ever been the recipient of more courtesy than
General Gomez When he arrived last night on
e delayed train from New-York he met at
the station by Assistant Secretary Sanger. and.
with his suite was escorted TO commodious
quarters in a hotel especially reserved for him
by direction Of Secretary Root. This morning
when he called at the War Department by ap-
pointment he found Lieutenant General Miles
awaiting him. General Gomez had never be-
fore met General Miles. and the greeting was
mutually cordial they have had considerable
correspondence on military matters, and they
found topic of immediate interest TO both Of
them. After conversing with General Miles ten
minutes more, the Cuban leader was ush-
cred into the office of Secretary Root. and by
the aid of an interpreter in the person of Sehor
Gonzales. Governor General Woods private
secretary, Mr.. Root obtained much information
from General Gomez concerning affairs in Cuba.
The Secretary escorted the visitor 10 the White
House. where President Mckinley received him
in the Red Room and conversed with him
through Senor Gonzales for nearly half an hour.
IO-LlSnt The President entertained General
Gomez at dinner. Cabinet members and other
public men met General Gomez at the Presi-
dents hospitable board. At midnight the Cuban
party took train for New-York. where they
viii remain two or three days before returning
10 Havana.
General Gomez. his son. Urbano. and Senor
Gonzales maintained here the marked reserve
concerning the real object of the visit to the
United States which has characterized their
course from the date of arrival from Havana.
Taking advantage of his inability TO converse
huently in English. the astute Gomez refused
pointblank to pay any attention to the questions
put 10 him by Inquiring newspaper men.
BIG BILLS TO BE PRESENTED.
In spite of details on all sides that General
Gomez came 10 Washington for any other than
strictly social purposes 1t is asserted in we'll in
formed circles that he has distinct and direct
business mission. Whether or not he has been
able satisfactorily to prosecute this mission is
another question. 1t is said that the main OBJ
ject Of his visit was to learn if under the general
terms Of the Platt amendment investing the ex-
ecutive authority OF the United States with gen.
eral supervision over the debt making power of
the Cuban government, this supervision is TO be
exercised over any debt making legislation ex-
cept that which pertains strictly the negoti-
alton of foreign loans. His purpose in desiring
Cuban government will be estopped in any eff
forts it may make to pay the vast horde of
native claimants that will spring up as soon as
the republic is organized. Army officers and
other Americans acquainted with conditions in
Cuba say that thousands Of Cubans who claim
TO have served in of the revolutions
in the island prepared to present bills for
services soon the government gets fairly
started Instances given of Cubans claim
ing TO have held rank in the revolutionary army
of from sergeant to major general, who will pre-
sent bills ranging in amounts from a few hum
dreds to 100000. General Gomez is understood
10 favor the immediate payment of ali these
claims when the Cuban government begins bust
Whether he will present a bill for his
own services is not known.
II is recalled that in the first two years of the
last war he was paid handsomely by the Cuban
revolutionary junta for organizing and
manding whatever army the Cubans had in the
field, although ii is not believed that he received
much pay in the last year so of the Tevolu-
ton. II is known, however. that hundreds OF
other men of various nationalities who
shoulder straps in behalf of the Cuban cause
for longer shorter terms received little
pay for their services, and il is said that
General Gomez is anxious to learn if the
President of the United States will permit the
claims Of these men against the Cuban Republic
TO be paid. 1t is not doubted that the claimants
strong enough to elect the first Congress Of
the island government, with the view of obtain
ing the desired legislation. 1t is pointed out
that If the Cubans are to reward in money every
man who actually or professedly followed their
flag they will defeat OF the main objects Of
the Platt law which is 10 see 10 il that the
republic does not start out handicapped with
big debt.