Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1898-12-06
GOSSIP FROM SANTIAGO
commissioner Porter's Guests Want
Cuban Annexation.
ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING.
'ener"l Wood Kept Busy mt Guam
"hamo, Caimanern and Gibnra.
some Interesting News From
Havana and From Ponce.

santiago de Cuba, Dec. 6.-Mr. Rob.
e.l l.. Porter the special commissioner
VI the united States to Cuba and Porto
nico, mas returned here from his in
spectlon OF the mines. He gave fare
wen luncheon at the Venus cafe. al
| "hich 70 guests were present. It was
most cosmopolitan gathering and in
| Guided representatives of the army and
| navy, the commercial and mining in
dustries, etc. Among those who par.
| TOOK or Mr.. Porter's hospitality were
| General Ezra P. Ewers, the British and
French consul the collector of GUS
toms, the captain of the port the son
ol General Garcia and the general man
| ayers of the iron companies,
The affair was not intended to be any,
thlng more than social gathering, but
all the party made speeches. and, al
though none of the speakers absolutely
declared in favor of annexation, it was
unquestionably apparent that q of the
guests were in favor of the island being
annexed to the United States.
Major Bent. representing the iron in
dustries, made an eloquent speech re-
garding the future of this part of the is
land and depicted the hardships that
the iron trade as we'll as all other
branches of business had suffered dur
ing the last few years.
Colonel Garcia thanked the United
States for all that had been done for
Cuba since April and said he believed
that Cuba would always show herself
grateful. Captain Mendoza, responding
on behalf of the Santiago Bar associa-
ton, declared that Cuba, free or annex
ed, would never forget the duty she
owed to the United States. Mr.. Robert
Mason, the British consul, who repre-
sented large business interests, spoke in
favor of the continuance of the present
good government of the island by the
American officials.
Mr.. Porter was diplomatic in his ut
terances and refused to be drawn into
any direct statement on the subject un-
der discussion, but the enthusiasm with
which every indirect allusion to or the
mention Of the word annexation was
greeted plainly showed the sentiment Of
the party, which practically represent
ed tbs. faelipi.s of q majority.af - pub
lie In regard to this question.
Mckinley and Victoria Tonsted.
President Mckinley and Queen Vic
toria were toasted, and every allusion
to the good feeling existing between the
two countries evoked much enthusiasm.
General Wood arrived at Guantanamo
on board the Hist. He hid long inter-
view with Colonel Ray, the commander
of the Third immune regiment. He al o
had a talk with General Perez, who on
the occasion of General Woods last
visit had been appointed mayor. Cen
eral Perez said that he was fast DIS
arming the Cuban soldiers and gettir s
them to work and that the district was
gradually resumng its normal cond-
ton.
General Wood gave instructions to
Colonel Ray regarding the work of Pc
pairing two compa nies of mounted SOL
diers and of putting the l'en through
course Of cavalry Gri'l nljor to the az
rival of horses an | 9rc ut 'rnent7. Gen
eral Wood then lett on the Hist fc"
Cair,anera, whence he proceeded for
Gibara.
General Wood hos visited the Jail 70,
the purnose Of Interviewing the sold e"
of the Ninth rfe' Mt who. it is claim
rage. on close nvestige ton, however,
there seemed to he little evidence
against the prsoreT. and unless more
evidence is Forthcoming the accused
man will be released or possibly will Re
held until the result Of General Woods
jnvestigat on Is made known. The loc01
papers give considerable space to the
arrest hut the matter is held to be un-
important
Mr.. Porter received several impress
sions while here. which caused him to
cable to WASHINGTON a request that no
action he tal5en for the present on the
recommendation which he had made in
regard to proposed changes, and an an
swor was received that the matter
would he held in allegiance.
Antonio Celast has presented TO the
first city council oil paintings or CEN
erals Gomez, Maceo and Garcia, which
were hung in prominent places in the
council chamber. Mayor Bacardi re-
turned thanks for the gift on behalf OF
the council. He said that the preserce
of the pictures of the great leaders
would animate all Cubans with fun
sense of duty and patriotism.