Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-16
ONLY INDEPENDENCE,
Vigorous Agitation in Cuba h
This End.
GENERAL GOMEZ LEADS,
he Expresses Himself as for Absolute
independence or Nothing.
FORMER ANNExATIoNIsTs CHANGE
-"
They Are Now with Comes, Largely
Because They Fear American Com.
petition in Business and Planting
American Commission Movements.
FORMER ANxExATIoNIsTs CHANGE
-


The predominant feature is the agitatios
OF the Cubans in favor of absolute fnde.
pendence of the island at all cost. Many
posters are being circulated. inviting the
co-oteraton of Spanish merchants and
others to this end, and bringing out that
either annexation or an American pro-
tectorate would mean death 10 adj trade
with Spain IN a couple OF years.
General Maxine Gomez, who. only
fortnight ago gave expression TO ex-
tremely moderate views, counseIling har-
mony and patience, now expresses him-
self as strongly in favor OF absolute IN
dependence or nothing" He says tho
Spanish element cannot afford TO delay
uniting with the Cubans. as a necessary
basis for the establishment OF conditions
that will forbid and prevent the United
States from grabbing and taking easy
advantage OF the treasure both the Span
iards and Cubans have fought for at the
expense OF rivers Of blood on each side.
"COWARDLY Ours"
General Gomez says that II report
speaks truly, chose who fear indepen-
dence belong to the same family of cow
ardly ours who fed from Habana az tho
first rumor OF bombardment."
These he declares. are. however.
minority: and. TO quote him further. al
| most the entire Spanish population re-
| mains. protecting their homes and defy
| ing the dangers OF war. and will now re-
| main to unite their efforts with those Of
| the Cuban party, working together with
the Cubans for the development Of tha
| island and the return of prosperity"
| A leading evening paper yesterday pub
| lished local letter purporting 20 voice
| the opinion OF Catalonia In favor OF lnde-
| pendence and promising aid and co-ope-
| ratio.
| How far the influence OF the party
| agitating for Cuban independence may
| extend it is at present difficult to esti-
mate but the fact is that It's agents are
| working like beavers Some former
| sympathizers with the annexation move
| ment are to be found to-day In the ranks
| Of the independence movement
| PORTER'S EXAMINATION.
4
| tation for independence is the result. ap-
| parently. of the arrival Of the Resohte.
| or rather of the arrival OF Mr. Porter.
/ and the examination he 10 making INTO
| tariffs, municipal taxation, and other mat
| ters of internal government, which the
| Cubans had expected to handle and adj
| minister themselves. Mr. Porters ope-
| rations are viewed with suspicion BY an
| important section OF tho Cubans. who
| keep on calling meetings and protesting
| against a "usurpation OF privileges pur-
| chased at such sacrifice.' They in-
| slst upon absolute freedom. unrestrasned
| liberty, or a fight TO the death
| one reason why many SpaniardS who
| az first favored annexation have now
| changed their opinion, Is that they fear
| the competition OF American rivals ~
| storekeepers, hotel managers. and restau-
rateurs. The same spirit prevails among
| the planters, especially the smaller ones.
| CUBAN HELPLESSNEsS.
| All this amounts practically 70 a silent
| admission of Cuba's inability 10 oHer. u
| left 10 herself. the guarantees or staoihty
| that would induce foreign capitai 10 CONS
| here to develop the Islands resources.
mr. dednctIon seems to be this: With
| Cuba independent, no foreign capitai ana
| no comuetition. with Cuba under AmeIi-
con rule. a competition against when the
| cuhans would not have the energy nor
| the power 10 succeed.
These questions are uppermost IN Svery
| mind causing general uneasiness ana
| discontent, preventing the Resumption
| ~ the normal tone OF the Market ana
blocking trade and trainc.
i COMMISSION NOTES
The American Evacuation Commission
ers passed to-day quietly. General butier.
his stan, and Robert Porter, are the Only
A,nerican representatives living on shore.
but next week night-shore leave wiz ="
granted 10 the staffs Of Admiral 5amp-
son and General wade, whose nehpeis :.
under the navy regulations. are now
obliged to be on board the hesoiu's ~
T.. NJ. sharp
s,on visited the government pawnssops.
| ,o nurchase pledged goods but they were
| tnformed that these were only sold once
| ,oonth al auction. The next sale takes
!; place october 18th.
CAPTAIN Lloyd c. Griscomb. Generai
| Wade's aide, will go TO Matanzas III
| day or two, 10 look over the neid mere
| ana report TO the commission.
INDUSTRIAL ITEMS.
The electric plant at Cardenas has sus-
pended public lighting, the municipality
| being IN debt $4,000 10 the concern.
The line OF steamers plying between
| Caibaren and Nueyitas has resumed the
| sallings interrupted by the blockade. Cal
| barren Is reported entirely without meat
The steamer Comal. with her cargo OF
undistributed supplies, Is stili here, await