The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-09-16
APPEAL TO SPANIARDS
TO ASSIST THEM
GEN. GOMEZ HAS SUDDENLY ABAN-
DONED HIS EXTREMELY MOD
ERATE VIEWS
WANTS INDEPENDENCE
AND NO COMPROMISE

Agents of the Cuban independence
Party working Like Beavers for
Their Cause-Merchants on the
Island Fear American Capital and
COmpe etitiOn-SpeciaI Agent POr-
ter's Arrival Hastens Opposition.
HAVANA, Sept. 15.-The prominent
feature Of the situation is the feverish
and widespread agitation of the Gu
bans in favor of the absolute independ-
en- of the island at all costs. Mani
festoes are being circulated inviting the
cooperation Of Spanish residents and
merchants to this end, and pointing out
that either annexation or an American
protectorate would mean death to all
trade with Spain in a couple of years.
Gen. Maxine Gomez, who, only a
fortnight ago, gave expression to eX-
tremeIy moderate views, cOunseling
harmony and patience, now expresses
himself as strongly in favor Of "abso-
lutte independence or nothing" He
says the Spanish element cannot af-
ford to delay uniting with the Cubans
is a necessary basis for the estab-
hshment Of conditions that will pre-
vent and forbid the United States
grabbing and taking easy advantage
of the treasure both Spaniards and
Cubans have fought for at an expense
of rivers of blood on each side" Gen.
Gomez says, if report speaks truly:
''Those that fear independence belong
10 hn iIyr nP Il
who fed from Havana at the first ru-
NOR of bombardment." These he de-
clares, are, however, minority, and,
to quote him further almost the entire
Spanish population remains, protect
ing their homes and defying the dan
ge%s Of war, and will now remain to
unite their efforts with those of the
Cuban party, working together with
the Cubans for the development of the
island and the return of prosperity
FIGHT TO THE DEATH.
leading paper yesterday published
an article in favor of independence,
and promising aid and connection.
HCW far the influence of the party
advocating Cuban independence may
extend is a matter of conjecture, but
working like beavers. Some former
Spanish sympathizers with the annexa-
tion movement are to be found today
in the ranks of the independence NOV
ers. This revulsion of sentiment is the
result, apparently, of the arrival Of the
Resolute, or rather Of the arrival of
Mr.. Porter, and the examination he is
making into tariff municipal taxation
and other methods of internal govern
ment which the Cubans had hoped to
handle and administer themselves. Mr..
Porter's operations are viewed with
suspicion by an important section of
the Cubans, who are calling meetings
and protesting against "a usurpation
of privileges purchased at such a sacri-
flee"
They insist upon absolute freedom,
unrestricted liberty or a fight to death.
AFRAID OF COMPETITION.
The reason why many Spaniards who
ct first favored annexation have now
changed their opinion is that they fear
the competition of American rivals as
Etorekeepers, hOtelkeepers and restaur-
auteurs They fear that the Ameri-
cans who were coming to buy out their
stocks at fabulous prices. under the
old Spanish regime, will now come and
open up next door to them and
ruin them by competition. They real
ize that the American syndicates will
bring American machinery much
cheaper and pay practically no duties.
establish a large central market and
push them to the wall. The awaken
ing of all such dreamers to the reality
of the future of American competition
causes them now to shout loudly for
Cuban independence, under which they
would expect to enjoy the blessings Of
lenient laws without fear of active
competition. Against these views is
the fear that Cuba If left to herself
would be unable to offer the guarantee
of stability and safety to these inter-
ests
With Cuba free there would be no
competition, no foreign capital invest
ed; under American protection there
would be competition and unlimited
ca pital, without which the island can
not help to succeed.
This discomfort prevents the resump-
tion of the regular markets and blocks
trade.
EVACUATION COMMISSION.
The American commission passed the
day quietly. Gen. Wade came ashore