MIAMI, United States. — The meeting at the La Mejorana sugar mill between José Martí, Máximo Gómez and Antonio Maceo is considered one of the most controversial episodes in Cuban history. However, what happened there has never been sufficiently addressed by Castro’s historiography, somewhat reluctant to spread the disagreements between the three leaders of the revolution.
On May 5, 1895, Martí, Gómez and Maceo saw each other for the first time after returning to the island to join the war, which had broken out months before, on February 24.
Some clues of what happened in La Mejorana are collected in the Apostle’s own diary. His story reveals friction with Maceo. Historians maintain that what happened in the Costa Rica expedition would have affected the morale of the Titan, who had to subordinate himself to Flor Crombet in his return to Cuba.
“I cannot unravel the conversation with Maceo (…) And he speaks to me, cutting off my words, as if I were the continuation of the legal government, and its representative. I see him hurt—’I love him—he tells me—less than he wanted him’—by reducing him to Flor in ordering the expedition, and spending his money”, Martí points out in his notes.
Historiography describes the La Mejorana sugar mill as a large country house, with four rooms, and a backyard with a flamboyant tree.
Another moment in Martí’s diary reflects disagreements with Maceo regarding the way of directing the war and the government of the Republic in Arms. At that point, the Apostle would find the support of Máximo Gómez, but the fierce resistance of the Titan, of notable ascendancy in the military field.
“I insist on deposing myself before the representatives who meet to elect a government. (…) he will send the four from the East: ‘within 15 days they will be with you—and they will be people that Dr. Martí cannot entangle me there’.—At the table (…) he returns to the matter: he hurts me, and It disgusts me: I understand that I have to shake the position, with which they try to mark me as a citizen defender of the hostile obstacles to the military movement. I maintain, rude: the Army, free,—and the country, as a country and with all its dignity represented. I show my discontent with such an indiscreet and forced conversation, at an open table, in Maceo’s haste to leave.”
They part in disgust and camp in the area. Martí recounts that, while the Maceos retire to their nearby cantonment –of Hondón de Majaguabo–, they continue “with the pouty escort; late afternoon […] aimlessly”.[8] The Generalissimo notes:[…] He led us to the outskirts of his camp, where we spent the night alone and helpless, barely escorted by 20 inexperienced and poorly armed men.”
May 6, on the other hand, would bring them satisfactory experiences: reparation by the Titan and the possibility of a new dialogue.
Receive information from CubaNet on your cell phone through WhatsApp. Send us a message with the word “CUBA” on the phone +1 (786) 316-2072, You can also subscribe to our electronic newsletter by giving click here.
