The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-07-09

New York, July 6.-w. f. ID. Stokes
gave a.nner at the Union League
this evening 10 General Maxine Came,
and General T. Estrada Palma Afr
Stokes was formerly a member q. the
Cuban league OF America and was
closely identified with the work of the
junta OF which General Palma was ,na
head.
Inc dinner was arranged on the spur
OF the moment, General Gomez intend.
Ing to return to Cuba today and no,
deciding to remain over until this
morning, when he accepted Mr.. stoEes,
invitation and the guests were sum-
moned by telegraph.
The Cuban general was the hero of
lhe occasion and was warmly received.
he made a brief speech, which was in
terpreted by General Gonzales. Gerar-
al Gomez said he was almost to,,cbad
10 tears by the remarkable recention
ne had received in the United States
He knew Cuba was indebted IN tho
United States. but he never knew until
ne came here how deep that debt was:
'nat Ii was not merely the obligation
OF one people to another, but OF brother
TO brother. Every Cuban born and
bred, he said, lived and died with the
luea OF cuba libre before him, with the
nope OF the people being free and re-
lleved Of the yoke of oppression
Cuba and the United States. said tha
general, belong together. It is only a
question Of gravitation when they win
De one, but at present, after the Great
struggle. in which hundreds OF thou-
sands OF lives were sacrificed and
Wnen men returned to their hornes only
TO ind their wives and chiIc-en starved
10 death in the restricted barriers I'm
"hlch Weyler held them. under his
| policy Of RECOMMENDATION. they felt that
they must have Cuba libre IL is re-
alized fully. he said. that Cuba cannot
get along without the United States
but the Cubans do want to feel free.
dom.
General Gomez referred to Genera,
rama as the holdover president of
Cuba' having been elected during the
insurrection OF 1863 and he pointed to
MS Fellow Cuban as the first president
| of Cuba Iibre.
Heherai Palma made a feeling reply.
warming to the subject OF Cuba libre
ana speaking enthusiastically of the
Iuture of the Pearl Of the Antilles
After the dinner General Gomez said
10 the newspaper men that he wished
TO express mis- gratitude to the press
| OF the United States and OF the world
J Tor the great good they had done to
the cause Of Cuba Iibre He said that
when he came here years ago h. was
very sad, but that on this visit he xxas
very happy and was glad to recognize
now much the American people had
done for the Cubans.
de mad felt bond Of sympathy win
| the American nation when he first
mingled with its people, but he now
1eit much more strongly the reality of
that bond. He was sure that the en-
bans would now establish their own
government and would show hosy n,uch
they feel grateful for the successful
neip OF the Americans in removing the
Spa IN yoke.
| there any feeling Of apprehension
In Cuba with regard to the intentions
| OF the United States?" he was asked.
mo, there is no question about II :.
! he replied. Cuba trusts implicitly I'm
the honor Of the American people,
| What can you say as to the future
| policy Of Cuba?"
That cannot be answered" replied
General Gomez. because no one can
foresee the future. but I believe that
the attitude OF Cuba VIII be one Of
| gratitude in accordance with the obu-
cations Of Cuba TO the United States"
| Whom do you think will be the
president Of the Cuban republic?"
| We'll, there are three candidate. |.
said General Gomez" or rather three
persons named-myself, General Bar
tolomeo Masso and General Palma. I
viii not accept under any circum-
stances. General Palma was elected
during the ten years war andI hone
that he win oe elected again"