The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-09-21
Insisting Upon
independence.
A Lively Agitation in That
Direction in Cuba.

Habsna, Sept Is, 5:45 p. m.-The
predominant feature of the situation is
the feverish and widespread agitation Of
the Cubans in favor of absolute inde-
pendepce Of the Island at all costs.
Manifestos are being circulated in
in vising the cooperation of the Spanish
residents and merchants to this end and
pointing out that either annexation OF
an American protec,orase would mean
death to all trade With Spain 10 a
couple of years.
Gen. Maximo Gomez. who fort
night ago. gave expression to extreme.
ly moderate views, couaseliog bar
mony and patience. now expresses bim-
self in favor of "absolute independents ce
or nothing" He says the Spanish ele-
meut cannot afford to delay uniting
With the Cubaps. as necessary ba-
sis for the establishment of conditions
that will forbid and prevent the Uni
ted States grabbing and taking easy
advantage of the treasure both Span
iards aud Cubacs have fought for at au
expense of rivers of blood on each side. y
Gen. Gomez says, if report speaks
truly, that "those WHO fear independ-
ence belong to the same family of
cowardly ours that fed from Habana
at the first rumor of bombsrdment :"
These, be declares. are, however. mi
nority aud, to quote him further,
"almost the entire Spanish population
remains, protecting their homes and de-
flying the dangers of war, and will DOW
remain to unite their efforts with those
Of the Cuban party, working together
With the Cabsns for the development
of tie island aud the return of prosper
ity."
A leading evening paper yesterday
published local letter purporting to
voice the opinion of,Catalonia in favor
of independence and promising aid
aud cooperation.
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, its agents are
working like beavers Some former
sym pathizers with the annexation
movement are to be found to-day 10 the
ranks of the independence movement.
This violent impetus given to the ag-
itation for independence is the result,
apparently. of the arrival Of the Reso-
lutte, or rather, of the arrival Of Mr..
Porter and the examination be is max
icg into tariffs. municipal taxation and
other matters Of internal government
which the Cubans had expected to han.
die and administer themselves. Mr..
Porter's operations are viewed with
suspicion by an important section of
the Cubans. who KEEP: ou calling meet
ings aud protesting against "usurpa.
ticn Of privileges purchased at sncb a
sacrifice They insist upon absolute
freedom, unrestricted liberty or q fight
to the death.
Oue reason Why many Spaniards who
at first favored annexation have changed
their opinion is that they fear the com.
petition of American rivals as store
keepers, hotel managers and restaurant
eurs The same spirit prevails among
ths planters. especially the smaller
ones.
All this amounts practically to ST.
lent admission Of Cuba's inability to
offer. if lef, to herself. the guarantees
Of stability that would induce foreign
capital to come here to develop the ISL
and d's resources The deductions seem
to be this. With Cuba independent,
20 foreign capital aud no competition {;
With Cuba uoder American rule. com
petition against which the Cubans
would not have the energy or the
power to succeed.
These questions are upp' oss iu
every mind, causing general ubeas'ness
aud discontens. preventing the resump-
ton of the normal tone of the market
and blocking trade and traffic.
The American commissioners passed
to-day quietly. Gen. Butler, bis staff.
and Robert Porter are the only Ameri-
can representatives living on shore !;
but next week night shore leave will
be granted to the stats of Admiral
Samps n and Gen. " ade, whose mem
bers, under the navy regulations, are
now obliged tc be on board The Reso-
lutte at 5 o'clock p N sharp.
This morning members of the CON-
mission visited the government pawo
shop to buy pledged goods, bat they
we're informed that these were only
solo once mop,h at auctlon The
next sale will take place on October l.
when many valuable articles will 60
uDG or tho h or