Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1901-08-07


ern coast OF Sanro Domingo, between
known throughout Santo Domingo as
an annexationist. In the early eos,
when Santo Domingo was annexed to
Spain, through the intrigue of Gen.
Santana, of Ciebo, Gomez, then a
young and brave soldier, allied his des-
TIMES with the annexationists. When
the war of the restoration began he
took sides with the SPaniards instead
OF the patriots. The patriots won, the
Spaniards were forced to capitulate,
and Gomez. with other Dominicans,
retired to Havana, with the title of
Mariscal de Campo.
Gomez soon grew tired of Spanish
rule, and when the ten years war for
Cuban independence began, under the
leadership of Maceo and Others, Gomez
was one of the leading spirits who
battled for Cuban independence. Aft
er the capitulation his political life
was one of adventure and uncertainty.
''In 1887 Gomez seemingly tired of
exile. Perhaps it was to delude the
Spanish that he came to Santo Domin-
go and settled in the district of Monte
Christi and began the cultivation of
tobacco in Guayabin. near the Haytian
frontier. He became at once q pop
u1ar idol of large number of Domin-
leans, which caused some political
jealousies.
"Gen. Heureaux, who was then the
president of the republic, became sus-
picious of Gomez political aspira-
tions, and his arrest was ordered. Pri-
vate adyices from Guayabin announced
that Gomez was aspiring to the pres
idency, and an uprising was imminent
to usurp the reins of the government.
The oppositionists began to be so ac-
tive that Gen. HeureauX was serious
ly concerned, and the imprisonment
and execution of Gomez were planned.
brought to the city.
''Being in the confidence of the pres
ident, and the United States consul be-
ing then the most Influential consular
officer there, Gen. Heureaux consulted
with me, and I advised against the
movement. I told him that he would
do a very foolish thing if he injured
or imprisoned Gomez. I argued that
Gomez was not thinking of the pres
idency, and if he was afraid of him he
should give him his passport, but never
persecute him, because the sentiment
of the foreign governments would be
very much against it. 1 further told
him that had just returned from the
United States, where I had learned
that an uprising in Cuba was immi-
nent. An armed Cuban who had come
with me had confided the whole mat
ter to me, and that I had given him
personal letter to the president and
one to the Bay State Fruit company.
This mans mission was to confer with
Gomez, and that if Gomez was making
any warIike preparations it was to
strike the blow at Spain in Cuba, and
not at Santo Domingo.
president Heureaux took my adj
vice. Gomez was brought to the city,
given the city for his prison, and short
" after was given his passport. He
went to Hayti, thence to Jamaica, and
soon afterward, with Maceo, was lead
ing the Cuban forces which brought
about the condition of affairs in Cuba
that led up to the present American
domination.
"This piece of unwritten history
may be news to Gomez. don't believe
imprisonment and death, and that but
for the influence of the United States
consulate he never would have had a
chance to fight in the ranks of the
Cuban patriots or become the impor-
tant parsonage he is to-day.
Don Maximo,' as he is called, is
at heart an annexationist, and favored
the annexation of Santo Domingo to
the United States under the Biaz adj
ministration. He is splendid man,
and the Cubans would do we'll to be
guided by his counsel. If there is to be
republic in Cuba, no better man could
be chosen for the first president than
the discreet, brave and magnanimous
Gen. Gomez, in my opinion"