The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-09-16
FOR
THECUBANS
General Maxine Gomez Opposed to
Annexation.
FEAR AMERICAN COMPETITION.

The Party Favoring Absolute Indepen-
dence Is Rapidly Growing-Buslness
Men Do Not Desire to Battle Against
Americans Enterprising Methods.
Havana, Sept. 16.-The predominant
feature of the situation is the feverish
and widespread agitation of the Gu
bans in favor the absolute independ-
ence of the island at all costs Manifes-
tos are being circulated inviting the
cooperation of Spanish residents and
merchants to this end, and pointing out
that either annexation or an American
protectorate would mean death to all
trade with Spain in a couple of years.
General Maxine Gomez, who only
fortnight ago gave expression to eX-
tremely moderate views, counSeling
harmony and patience, now expresses
himself as strongly In favor of "abso-
lutte independence or nothing" He says
the Spanish element cannot afford to
delay uniting with the Cubans as a
necessary basis for the establishment
of conditions that will forbid and pre-
vent 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 independ-
ence belong to the same family of
cowardly ours who fled from Havana
at the first rumor of bombardment."
These, he declares, are, however, a
minority; and, to quote him further,
almost the entire Spanish population
remains, protecting their homes and
defying the dangers of war; and will
now remain to unite their efforts with
those of the Cuban party, working to-
| gether with the Cubans for the devel.
| opment of the island and the return
| of prosperity"
This violent impetus given to tht
| agitation for independence is the re-
suit, apparently, of the arrival of Mr.
| Porter and the examination he is max
ing into tariffs, municipal taxation anC
other matters of internal government
which the Cubans had expected to han
die and administer themselves. Mr.
Porter's operations are viewed Will
suspicion by an important section o
the Cubans, who keep on calling meet
ings and protesting against a "usurpa
ton of privileges purchased at such
sacrifice" They insist upon absolut
freedom, unrestrained liberty or a fish
to the death.
One reason why many Spaniards VIII
at first favored annexation have nov
changed their opinion Is that they fea
the competition of American rivals a
storekeepers, hotel managers and res
tauranteurs. They are afraid that tn
Americans, instead of coming to bu,
out their establishments and stocks a
! fabulous prices, based upon the oil
Spanish duties, will open shops mex
door, import goods at low duties unde
the new regime, ruin their bushes
!, and reduce them to poverty.
, Exactly the same spirit prevail
among the planters, especially tn
: smaller ones, who had hoped to sell q
good prices the old French and Bel
CLAN machinery, for which they pat
dear and imported under excessive du
ties. They realize that the America
syndicates will bring American ma
ohinery much cheaper and payin
practically no duties, establish a larg
central market, close theirs and pus
them to the wall.
/ The awakening OF all such dreamer
! 10 the reality of the future nature {
| american COllptllllbi NduoCS lAlth AAO
to shout loudly for Cuban indepent
ence, under which they would expect
i enjoy the blessings of lenient law
without fear Of active competition.
All this amounts practically to a E
lent admission of Cuba's inability TO @
: fer, If left to herself, the guarantees
# stability that would induce foreign ca
a ital to come here to develop q
n islands resources. The deductions see
r. to be this: With Cuba Independent
foreign capital and no competltio
" with Cuba under American rule,
Il competition against which the Cuba
a. would not have the energy or 4
N power to succeed.
a These questions are uppermost
No every mind, making for general u
easiness and discomfort, preventing t
resumption of the normal tone Of {
H. market and blockading trade al
traffic.