The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-16
RADICAL CUBANS BITTER
INSIST ON UNRESTRAINED LIBERTY
OR A FIGHT TO THE DEATH.
Evacuation Commissioners Resting
Incidents of the First Meeting-A Sa-
lutte Finally Fired by the ResO1ute.

HAVANA, Sept. 15-The predominant
feature of the situation here is the feverish
and widespread agitation of the Cubans in
favor of absolute independence of the
island at all costs. Manifestoes are being
circulated inviting the cooperation of
Spanish residents and merchants to this
end, and pointing out that either annexa-
tion or an American protectorate would
mean death to all trade with Spain in
couple of years.
Gen. Maxine Gomez, who, only a fort
night ago, gave expression to extremely
moderate views, counseiing harmony and
patience now expresses himself as strong
ly in favor of absolute independence or
nothing He says the Spanish element cam
not afford to delay uniting with the Cubans,
as a necessary basis for the establishment
of conditions that will forbid and prevent
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" General
Gomez says, if report speaks truly, that
'those who fear independence belong to the
same family of cowardly ours who fled from
Havana at the first rumor of lombard
ment." These, he declares, are, however, a
minority, and, to quote him further. cal
most the entire Spanish population re-
mains, protecting their homes and defying
the dangers 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"
A leading evening paper yesterday pub
opinion of Catalonia in favor of independ-
ence and promising aid and cooperation.
How far the influence of the party agitat-
ing for Cuban independence may extend it
is, at present, difficult to estimate, but the
fact is, it's agents are working like beavers.
Some former sympathizers with the an
nexation movement are to be found to-day
in the ranks of the independent movement.
FEAR PORTER'S WORK.
This violent impetus given to the agita-
ton for independence is the result, ap-
parently of the arrival of the Resolute or,
rather, of the arrival of Mr.. Porter and
the examination he is making into tariffs,
municipal taxation and other matters of in
ternal government which the Cubans ex-
pected to handle and administer them
selves. Mr.. Porter's operations are viewed
with suspicion by an important section of
the Cubans, who keep on calling meetings
and protesting against 'usurpation of
privileges purchased at such a sacrifice"
They insist upon absolute freedom, unre-
strained liberty a fight to the death.
One reason why many Spaniards who at
first favored annexation have now changed
their opinion is that they fear the competi-
ton of American rivals as storekeepers,
hotel managers and restaurateurs They
are afraid that the Americans, instead of
coming to buy out their establishments and
stocks at fabulous prices based upon the old
Spanish duties, will open shops next door,
import goods at low duties under the
regime, ruin their business and reduce them
to poverty. Exactly the same spirit pre-
walls among the planters, especially the
smaller ones, who had hoped to sell at good
prices the old French and Belgian ma
chinery, for which they paid dear and inn
ported under excessive duties. They real
ize that the American syndicates will bring
American machinery, much cheaper and
paying practically no duties, establish
large central market, close theirs and push
them to the wall.
The awakening of all such dreamers to the
reality of the future of American competi-
ton causes them now to shout loudly for
Cuban independence, under which they
would expect to enjoy the blessings of leni-
ent laws without fear of active competi-
ton. All this amounts practically to a si-
lent admission of Cuba's inability to offer,
if left to herself, the guarantees of stabil-
ity that would induce foreign capital to
come here to develop the islands resources.
THE QUESTION AT ISSUE.
The deductions seem to be this; With Cuba
fV41a No a1 ND
petition; with Cuba under American rule.
would not have the energy or the power to
succeed. These questions are uppermost in
every mind, making for general uneasiness
and discomfort, preventing the resumption
of the normal tone of the market and block
ing trade and traffic.
The American evacuation commissioners
passed to-day quietly. Rear Admiral Samp-
son came ashore to do some shopping and
returned to the Resoute with his staff in
the course of the afternoon. General But
ler who is now living ashore. went on board
the transport this morning to confer with
General Wade and DR.. Laine, the commits
siOners' physician, regarding the sanitary
ARRANGEMENTS at the Trocha Hotel, which
will be ready in few days for the recep-
ton of the commissioners and the entire
staff.
General Butler, his staff and Robert Por-
ter are the only American representatives
living on shore, but next week night shore
leave will be granted to the staffs of Ad-
miral Sampson and General Wade whose
members, under the navy regulations are
row obliged to be on board the ResoIute
at o'clock p. m. sharp. The ealcers in
tend to ask their superiors to modify the
regulations regarding dress which COM
PEELED them to wear their uniforms on shore.