General Gomez had a long talk with the representative of one of our most reliable newspapers, and told him that he has over forty thousand soldiers fighting for freedom, but that unfortunately he has not enough guns or ammunition for more than half the number. He says that nearly every soldier carries a machete, which is a weapon in use among Spanish Americans. It is half knife, half cleaver, and is carried by the peasants for general use upon the plantations. It makes a formidable weapon, but is, of course, not so valuable as a rifle would be.
General Gomez said that if his men were only well armed, he would give battle to Weyler, and would without doubt beat him. He declared that he could raise seventy-five thousand men in a month, if he only had the means of arming them.
He spoke in a most determined way about the proposed reforms, and repeated that he would take nothing from Spain but freedom. He went on to say that the hatred of Spain was now so strong in Cuban hearts, that were the revolution to fail, he was sure that a large majority of Cubans would leave their homes, and go and live in a foreign country, rather than continue under the hated rule of Spain.
He was asked what he thought about the way the United States was treating Cuba.
This was rather a difficult question for him to answer, because he was talking to an American; but General Gomez is a brave man, and a sincere man, and he was not afraid to give his real opinion.
He said, that while he did not think that the United States was allied with Spain to bring about the defeat of the Cubans, he thought the refusal to recognize 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.