ze the Cuban government, and the assistance given to Spain to
stop filibustering, looked very much as if the United States was more
friendly to Spain than to Cuba.
This being the case, he said it was out of the question for the Cuban
government to listen to the advice of the United States about the reforms
that Spain offered. Cuba could not regard the United States as her friend,
and would not therefore take any suggestions from her.
Many people have supposed that even if the Cubans were successful, peace
would not be restored to the island. There are so many negroes and
"half-breed" white people among the Cubans, that the idea has got about
that the white Cubans and colored Cubans would fight each other for the
right to govern.
General Gomez spoke with much feeling on this point.
He said the colored people had borne their share in the revolution bravely
and nobly, and that there never had been, and never would be, any
distinction made between the white man and the man of African origin. All
Cubans had fought shoulder to shoulder, as brother patriots should do, and
brother patriots they would continue, white or colored.
Only once did General Gomez show any excitement, and that was when
Weyler's name was mentioned.
"He is not a soldier, he is not a man, he is not a Christian!" he said.
"If he were a true soldier, I would respect him; if his troops were true
soldiers, I would respect them, even though they had come to hold Cuba in
chains. But he is not a soldier, nor are his men soldiers; they are here
to butcher and destroy. They think to exterminate us; but though Cuba may
weep and bleed and burn, God is with us, and the right will come at last."
He said that he had often thought over Weyler's cruelties, and considered
whether he should not treat the Spanish prisoners in the same way. But he
could not do so. The very thought of the cruelties ordered by Weyler, the
murdering of innocent persons, the attacking of hospitals and killing the
poor invalids, filled him with horror.
He said that he was determined that Cuba should shed no innocent blood in
the name of freedom.
He was finally asked how long the war would continue, and his answer was
very short.
"Until Cuba is free!" he said
* * * * *
It is said that General Gomez cannot yet bear to speak about the death of
Maceo, and of his own son, who perished at the same time.
When the news was brought to him, he showe
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