Evening star., 1898-09-16
GOMEZ ExCiTES CUBANS
he is scheming to Bring About Independence
for Cuba.
Tells Natives and Spaninrds That
Americans VIII Grnb thc Island.
Treasures and Trade.
CUBANS

The predominant feature OF the situation
at Havana is the feNcrlsh and WIDESPREAD
agitation OF the Cubans I'm favor OF the ab-
sol@te Independence of the island at all
costs. Manifestoes are being circulated in
Yiting the cooperation Of Spanish residents
ana merchants to this end. and pointing
out that either annexation or an American
protectorate woIld mean death TO all trade
with Spain in couple of years
Gen. MaXiino Gomez. VINO only a fort
night ago gave expression To extremely
moderate views, counselinE harmony and
patience. now expresses himself as strongly
in favor of absolute independents, OF aoth-
ing he says the Spanish element carnot
AFFORD 10 delay uniting with the Cubans as
a necessary basis FOR the establishment or
cohdltlons that VIII forbid and prevent the
ed .nlted states grabbing and taking easy ad-
y n'ase ot the treasure both Spaniards and
Cupans have fought for at an cNpellsy OF
rivers of blood an each side"
NeA. tTom"z says. II report speaks truly
.hat those who fear 'ud"neu lcllc, heiopg
70 the same family of cowardly ours who
ned from Havana at the irst rurnor OF
bomhardment. These" he declares are
h"WeFer, minority and to quote him fur
tnef, almost the crtire Spanish l,,pula ION
remains, protecting their homes and defy-
ing the dangers Of war. ana viii now re-
main TO uEite their efforts with those of tho
C'Iba Cupan party, working together With Tie
II
ana the return cf prosperity"
Suspicious of Porter.
a leading Havana evening paper yestar-
day published a local letter. purporfing to
voice the opinion OF Catalonia in favor Of
independence, and promising aid and CO.
operation
How far the influence of the marty apitat-
ing for Cuban independence NAV extend II
IS at present difficult to estimate but the
lact is, It's agents are working like beavers
some 1ormer sEmpathizers with the annex
atlpn movement are To be found today I'm
the ranks of the independence movement
rms violent impetus given To the agita-
uon Tor independence is the result appar-
ehtIy, OF the arrival Of the Rcsoluts. ar
rather, of the arrival of Mr. Porter and the
examination he is making into farirfs
municipal taxation, and other matters Of
internal government which the Cubans had
expected TO handle and administer them
selves Mr.. Porter's operations are viewed
with suspicion by an important section Of
the CGbans, who keep on calling meetings
anu protesting against a 'usurpation OF
prlNlleges purchased at such a sacrifice"
1heN insist upon absolute freedom uure-
strained liberty, or a fight to the death
one reason why many Spauiartis who at
NrSt favored annexation have now changed
their opinion is that they fear the corupeti-
ton of American rivals as storekeepers,
motel managers and restauratrurs They
are afraid that the Americans instead ~
stocks at fabulous prices. based upon old
Spanish duties. will open shops next door
import goods at low duties, under the new
regime, ruin their business and reduce them
to poverty.
Planters Fear Competition.
Exactly the same spirit prevails among
the planters, especially the smaller ones,
who had hoped to sell at good prices the
old French and Belgian machinery for
which they paid dear and imported under
excessive duties. They realize that the
American syndicates will bring American
machinery, much cheaper and paying prac-
tically no duties, establish a large central
market, close theirs and push them to the
wall.
The awakening of all such dreamers TO
the reality of the future nature of Ameri-
can competition causes them now to shout
loudly for Cuban independence, under
which they would expect to enjoy the bless
ings Of lenient laws without fear OF active
competition.
All this amounts practically to silent
admission of Cuba's inability To offer. if
left to herself. the guarantees of stability
here to develop the islands resources. The
deductions seem to be this With Cuba in
dependent, no foreign capital and no COM
petition; with Cuba under American rule, a
competition against which the Cubans
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, ana block
ing trade ard traffic.