New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-14
PRICE THREE CENTS.
SCHEMES FOR CUBA'S FUTURE.
MR.. PORTERS PRESENCE REGARDED
WITH SUSPICION BY NATIOXALISTS.
CLASH IMMINENT BETWEEN INDEPEND-
ENTs AND ANNEXATIONIsTS-PR
RATIoNs FOR THE COMING
rr-f-r
ELECTION

Havana, Sept 13-The presence Of Robert p.
Porter, who is in Havana on a special mission
from the United States Government to study the
hnancial and economic aspects OF the situation.
is regarded with suspicion by the PARTY OF free
Cuba. as indicating the establishment os en-
American policy Of guardianship
Mr.. Porter IS preparing a revision of the
Cuban tariff which will probably be protective
Of Cuban industries, and is ecquaintrg himself
with every detail Of Local taxation. In this work
he is assisted by capable staff. For the pres
ent his efforts only preliminary. as until
after the definite settlement OF peace IL will be
impossible to establish the new regime
But his efforts and inquiries. taken together
with the announcement that American troops
will be sent later to occupy the island--which
had hitherto been doubted by rnany-have had
the effect OF provoking protests from the more
rabd Cubans. who are holding meetings ana
adopting resolutions against "encroachment
upon our rights citizens Of the free and inde-
pendent Republic of Cuba by the establishment
of an American protectorate'
Commenting edto"ially to-day upon these de-
veopments. La Lucha" says:
THE OPPOSING FORCES.
1T is easy 10 foresee clash between the Two
forces on the political horizon Of Cuba-the
sentimental independent party and the party OF
practical annexationists. On one hand stands
the Cuban sentiment. which has struggled for
freedom for three years on the other is ar
rayed every material interest in the island.
which looks first and foremost for the greatest
and strongest guarantee. not only that order
will be preserved but that there will be future
development and increase in those very inter.
esta
IT IS too early yet 10 predict with which
party the victory will lie: bur the leaders Of the
national Cuban party should not allow them
selves to be carried away by the natural exalta-
ton and fiery tempera ment OF their race. They
should proceed with tact and discretion al this
tuncture. for otherwise annexation may become
an accomplished fac, far sooner than is eS-
pected The leaders should act with prudence,
and furnish an example q strength and stabii-
ity. Such conduct in them may result IN time
in adding 10 the ranks Of the national party
large proportion of those who now advocate an
nexaton and in earring with them the great
landed and industrial interests Of the island"
These two problems Independence and an
neXaton. are the chief topics discussed. and the
idea Of an American protectorate. with military
occupation. is nowhere favorsbly considered.
Everywhere it is recognized that the choice Is
between independence and annexation
PREPARATIONS FOR AN ELECTION.
Next month at The headquarters of the
called Cuban Republican Government al Cubi.
tas. Province of Puerto Principe. representa-
tives of the different corps OF the Cuban Army
will proceed 70 q presidential election and a
definite Constitution Of the Government
Each army corps will se;d eight delegates.
making total Of forty-eight electors There
Cuban Army, strongly supporting the. pres
ent Government and the other favorng General
Maxine Gomez
Already four presidential nomination tickets
are in the field on the first are the names Of
Blrtolome Masso for President and Mencez ca.
pote for Vice President: the second. the
names of Mendez Capote for the first place and
Jose Miguel Gomez for the second, the third
are Jose Miguel Gomez and Pedro Betancourt.
and on the fourth. caxro Garcia and jose
Miguel Gomez
At the camp ot Jose Miguel Gomez a news
paper called La Nacion" has been published
for some time II is described rs a strong advo-
cate Of peace and harmony" and carries with
1t the moral Endorsement of General lTaxino
Gomez. who is known 70 favor the early dis
banding Of the Cuban troops.
General Gomez is srn encamped on the Mar
oissa estate. at Yaguajay. Santa Clara Province.
Several Nel-known Cubans arrived here on
the Mascotte. ostensiby as delegates commits
stoned by the Cuban Junts - facilitate the work
OF dsosnding the Cuban troops
There is coed authority. hcwever. for the state
rlent that they are really commissioned TO asi-
tate the question OF Cuban independence. on
Sunday night they were present al a meeting
held az the residence Of ore Of the most aristo-
cratic families or Havana. and the question Of
independence was then discussed at length.
sehor Benjamin Guerra, Treasurer Of the
Cuban Junta. who arrived mere Oh -he schooner
Alfredo on Sunday. but vas nor allowed 20 land.
was to-day permitted 10 go ashore TO see his
mother