The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-14
DON'T WANT PRoTECToRATE.
CUBANS REGARD MIR. PORTER'S
PRESENCE SUSPICIOUSLY.

They Protest Against EncrOach-
ments Upon Their Rights by the
Establishment of an American
PrOtectOrate-La Lucha Predicts a
Clash Between the Sentimental
Independent Party and the Party
of Practical AnnexatiOnists-On
One Hand the Cuban Sentiment,
and on the other the Material IN
terest of the Island-Presidenti
Election Near at Hand.
Havana, Sept. 1S.-The presence of ROB-
ert P. Porter, who is in Havana as a rep
resentative of the United States govern
ment to study the financial and economic
aspect of the situation, is regarded with
suspicion by the party of Free Cuba as IN
dicating the establishment of an American
policy guardianship,
Mr.. Porter Is preparing a revision of the
Cuban tariff which will probably be pro-
tective of Cuban Industries and is &C
quainting himself with every detail of To-
cal taxation. In this work he is assisted
by capable staff.
For the present his efforts are only pre-
lininary, as, until after the definite set
clement of peace, it will be impossible to
establish the new regime.
But his efforts and inquiries taken to-
gether with the announcement that Ameri-
can troops will be sent later to occupy the
island-which has hitherto been doubted
by many-have had the effect of provok-
ing protests from the more rabd Cubans'
who are holding meetings and adopting
resolutions against "encroachments upon
our rights as citizens of the free and in
dependent republic of Cuba by the estab-
lishment of an American protectorate.
Commenting editorially to-day upon
these developments, La Lucia says; 1t
is easy to foresee a clash between the two
tendencies-the two forces on the political
horizon of Cuba-the sentimental indepen-
dent party and the party of practical an
nexationists. On one hand stands the Gu
han sentiment, which has struggled for
freedom for three years; on the other is
arrayed every material interest In the ISL
and. which looks first and foremost for
the greatest and strongest guarantee not
only that order would be preserved, Dut
that there wall De a luthAt uCNNHoPlllStit
and an increase in those very interests.
1T is too early yet to predict with which
Marty the victory will lie; but the leaders
If the national Cuban party should not
allow themselves to be carried away by
tba natural exaltaton and fiery tempera-
ament 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 ex-
pected. The leaders should act with pru-
dence ard furnish an example Of strength
and stability. Such conduct in them may
result. in time in adding to the ranks of
the Cuban national party large proper
ton of those who advocate annexation
and in carrying with them the great land
and 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 faV-
orablv considered. Everywhere il Is rec
ognized that the choice is between indie
pendence and annexation.
Next month at the headquarters of the
so-called republican government at Cubi-
tas province OF Puerto 'PSincipe, repre-
sentatives Of the different corps of the
Cuban army will proceed to presidential
election and a definite constitution of the
government.
Each army corps will send eight dele
gates. making a total of forty-eight cleo
tors. There are two separate and distinct
tendencies in the Cuban army. one strong
ly supporting the present government and
the other favoring Gen. Maxine Gomez.
Already for presidential nomination tick
cts are ia the field. on the first are the
names Of. Bartolome Masso for president
and Riendez Capote for vice president; on
the second the names OF Meudoz Capote
for the first place and Jose Miguel Gomez
for the second; on. the third are Jose Nj
guel Gomez and Pedro Betancourt and on
the fourth CaliXto Garcia and Jose Miguel
Gomez.
At the camp of Jose Miguel Gomez a
newspaper called La Nacion has been pub
lished for some time. IT is described as
a strong advocate of peace and harmony
and carries with it the moral Endorsement
OF Gen. Maxine Gomez, who Is known to
favor the early dsbandins of the Cuban
troops and a return to the arts Of peace
Cen. Gomez is still encamped on the
Narclsa estate at Yaguajay, Santa Clara
province.
This afternoon the American and Cuban
evacuation commissioners decided that
for the present they would discuss The
more important pOints'to come under their
consideration by letter and only meet in
Soint session. later to- discuss details.