Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-09-15
OPPOSE ANNEXATION
More Rabid Cubans Holding Indig.
nation Meetings and Protesting.
SUSPICIOUS Of R. ,. poR1ERS ylsi1.
They Suspect That II Bodes III for the
Cause Of Cuba Llbrs-I Independence
or Annexation the Chief Topics
Of Conversation.


Robert P. Porter, who is in Havana on
Q special commission from the United
States government to study the econo.
my and financial aspects OF the situa.
ton, Is regarded with suspicion by the
party Of free Cuba, as indicating the
establishment Of an American policy
Of guardianship Mr. Porter is pre-.
pairing revision Of the Cuban tariff,
which will probably be protective Of
Cuban industries and is acquainting
himself with every detail Of local taxa
ton. In this work he is assisted BY a
capable staff. For the present,
his efforts are only prelimi-
minary, as, until after the def
mite settlement Of peace, it will
be impossible to establish the new
regime. But his efforts and inquiries
taken together with the announce
ment that the American troops will
be sent later to occupy the island
which had hitherto been doubted by
many--have had the effect Of provok.
ing protests from the more rabid Gu
bans, who are holding meetings and
adopting resolutions against ZEN
croachments upon our rights rs citi.
zens of free and independent repub.
lie Of Cuba, by the establishment Of an
American protectorate. Commenting
editorially yesterday upon these devel-
opments, La Lucia says:
1t Is easy to foresee clash between the two
forces on the political horizon Of Cuba-the
sentimental. independent party and the party
OF practical annexatonists On one hand
stands the Cuban sentiment. which has strue-
gled for freedom for years: on the other Is ar
rayed every material interest In the island,
which looks first and foremost for the greatest
and strongest guarantee, not only that order
viii be preserved but that there will be
future development and increase In these
interests 1t Is too early yet to predict with
accuracy with whom the victory will lie. but
the leaders Of the Cuban party should not
allow themselves 70 be carried away by the
national exaltation and fiery temperament
OF their race They should proceed with tact
and discretion at this juncture for otherwise
annexation may become an ACCOMPLISHED fact
far sooner than Is expected The leaders
should oct with prudence and furnish On ex-
ample Of strength and stability. Such con-
duct In them may result In time In adding to
the ranks OF the Cuban national party q large
proportion OF those who now advocate annexa-
tion, and In carrying with them the great
landed industrial interests Of the island
These two problems, independence
and annexation, are the chief topics
discussed, and the idea Of an American
protectorate, with military occupation,
is nowhere favorsbly considered.
Everywhere It is recognized that the
choice Is between independence and
annexation.
Next month at the headquarters OF
the so-called Cuban republican gov
eminent, at Cubitas, province Of
Puerto Principe, representatives Of
the different corps Of the Cuban army
will proceed to presidential election
and definite constitution of the gov
eminent. Each army corps will send
eight delegates, making total Of 4s
electors. There are two separate and
distinct tendencies in the Cuban army,
one strongly supporting the present
government and the other favoring
Gen. Maxine Gomez. Already four
presidential nomination tickets are in
the field. At the camp Of Jose Miguel
Gomez, Q newspaper called La Nacion-
al has been published for some time.
1t is described as being strong advo.
cate of peace and harmony" and car
ries with It the moral Endorsement Of
Gen. Maxine Gomez, who is known to
favor the early disbanding Of the
Cuban troops and return to the arts
of peace.