The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-09-14
THE DIVIDED CrBANS
Commissioner Porter RegardedWith
Suspicion by Independents.
THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES.

They Are Bartolomo Masso, Mendez
Cnpote, Jose Miguel Gomez and Gu
liXto Garcin-The Election to Take
Place at Cubitas Next Month.
Havana, Sept 1.-THE presence Of
Robert =. Porter, who is in Havana on
Il special mission from the United
States government to study the hnan-
cial and economic aspects Of the situa-
tlon, Is regarded with suspicion by
the party Of free Cuba, as Indicating
the establishment of an American pol
icy of guardianship. Mr. Porter is
preparing n revision Of the Cuban tar
iif, which will probably be protective
Of Cuban industries, and is acquainting
himself with every detail of local tax
alton. In this work he Is assisted by
a capable staff. For the present his
efforts are only preliminary, as, until
after the definite settlement Of peace
1t will be impossible to establish the
new regime.
But his efforts and inquiries, taken
together with the announcement that
American troops will be sent later to
occupy the city-which had hitherto
been doubted by many-haVe had the
effect of provoking protests from the
more rabid Cubans, who are holding
meetings and adopting resolutions
against "encroaChment upon our rights
as citizens Of the free and Independent
republic Of Cuba by the establishment
of an American protectorate."
Commenting edltorally upon these
developments La Lucha says: TT Is
easy to foresee a clash between the
two tendencies, the two forces on the
political horizon of Cuba--the senti-
mental independent party. and the
party of practical anneXationists. On
one hand stands the Cuban sentiment,
which has struggled for freedom for
three years; on the other is arrayed
every material interest of the island,
which looks first and foremost for the
greatest and strongest guarantee, not
only that order will be preserved but
that there will be a future development
and increase in those very interests.
1T is too early yet to predict with
which party the victory will lie, but the
leaders of the national Cuban party
should not allow themselves to be car
Tied away by the natural eXaltation
and fiery temperament of their race.
They should proceed with tact and dis
Cretion at this juncture, for otherwise
annexation may become an accom-
plished fact far sooner than Is eX-
pected. The leaders should act with
prudence and furnish an example OF
strength and stability. Such conduct
in them may result in time in adding
| to the ranks of the Cuban nationa
! party a large proportion of those whC
| now advocate annexation and in car.
| rying with them the great landed anC
! Industrial interests of the island"
These two problems-independ
and annexation-are the chief topics
discussed, and the idea of an American
| protectorate, with military occupation
is nowhere favorably considered
Everywhere it is recognized that thC
choice is between independence and an
nexation.
Several well known Cubans arrived
here on Saturday by the Mascotte, os-
tensibly as delegates commissioned by
| the Cuban junta to facilitate the work
| of disbanding the Cuban troops. There
is reliable authority, however, for the
| statement that they are really COM
mlssioned to agitate the question of
| Cuban Independence. On Sunday night
! they were present at a meeting held
at the residence OF one of the most
aristocratic families of Havana, and
the question of independence was ther
discussed at length.
Next month at the headquarters Of the
so-called Cuban republican government
at Cubitas, province of Puerto Prin
cipe, representatives of the differen
corps Of the Cuban army will proceed
TO a presidential election and a definit
constitution OF the government.
Each army corps will send eight del
egates, making a total of AZ electors
There are two separate and distinc
tendencies in the Cuban army, on
strongly supporting the present gov
ernment and the other favoring Gen
| eral Maxine Gomez.
Already four presidential nomination
tickets are In the field. In the first arr
the names of BaTtolomo MassO FOL
president and Mendez Capote for viot
president; on the second, the names Of
Mendez Capote for the first place and
| Jose Miguel Gomez for the second; OF
the third are Jose Miguel Gomez anC
Pedro Betancourt, and on the fourtl
Calixto Garcia and Jose Miguel Gomez