Evening journal., 1898-09-14
TIE FUTURE OF CUBA
La Lucha Discusses Islanc
Politics.
INDEPENDENCE VERSUS ANNEXATION
American Protectornte Seems TO Is,
Out of the observation-disclosures Of
the Evacuation Compission.
Gomez Favors Disbandmcnt.


more important points TO come under
their consideration by letter and only
meet in joint session later to discuss de-
tails. Therefore no Joint sessions will
be held for some time.
Lieutenant Roldan Of the Spanish ma
Wy, who acted for the local Spanish
authorities at the time the American
correspondents, Messrs. Jones anc
Thrall, were released at Cabanas last
May and delivered 20 the United States
auxiliary gunboat Maple. has been APP
pointed official interpreter to the Span.
ish commissioners.
As precaution against the storm re.
ported to be travelling in this direction
from Barbados all the warships In the
harbor have been moved from their usu-
al mornings and are now lying In the
lee OF the hills around Tricornia bay
and close TO the dock. United States
transport Resolute has not changed her
position, as her original mooring was
chosen southeast Of the dock at the first
buoy, where she Is sheltered by the Ca
banas and Casa Blanca highlands
Two of the local soup kitchens have
already been closed.
The presence of Mr. Robert II. Por-
mission from the United States gov.
eminent TO study the financial ana
economic aspects of the situation, rs re.
garded with suspicion by the party Of
Free Cuba. as indicating the establish
ment OF an American policy Of guardian.
ship.
Mr.. Porter is preparing a revision OF
the Cuban tariff, which viii probably
be protective of Cuban industries. and
is acquaintng himself with every de-
tail Of local taxation. In this work he
is assisted by capable stan. For the
present his efforts are only prelmi-
nary, as, until after the definite settle
ment Of peace, IL will be impossible &c
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 many. have had the ef-
feet of provoking protests from the
more rabid Cubans. who are holding
meetings and adopting resolutions
against "encroachment upon our rights
as citizens Of the free and Independent
republic of Cuba by the establishment
of an American protectorate."
Commenting editorially yesterday up
on these developments, La Lucia says:
1T is easy 10 foresee a clash between
the two tendencies. the two forces on
the political horizon Of Cuba--the sen
tlmental Independent party and the par
ty OF practical annexationlsts. On one
handll stands the Cuban sentiment
which has struggled for freedom for
three years on the other Is arrayed
every material interest in the island
tvhfn1, Ion1ra Fpef aud fnvov,,-t 90. a..
greatest and strongest guarantee, not
only that order will be preserved. but
that there will be future development
and increase i'm those very interests
1T is too early yet to predict with
which party the victory will lie, but the
leaders of the Cuban National party
should not allow themselves to be car
ried away by the natural exaltation and
fiery temperament Of their race. They
should proceed with tact and discretion
at this juncture. for otherwise annexa-
tlon may become an accomplished fact
far sooner than is expected. The lead
ers should act with prudence and fur
nish an example OF strength and sta
bility. Such conduct in them may re-
suit in time In adding to the ranks OF
the Cuban National party a large pro-
portion Of those who now advocate an
nexation and i'm carrying with them the
great landed 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 favorably considered. Every
where it is recognized that the choice
is between independence and annexa-
ton.
Next month at the headquarters OF
the so called Cuban republican govern
ment at Cubitas. province Of Puertu
Principe, representatives. OF the differ
ent corps Of the Cuban army will pro-
coed TO a presidential election and a
definite constitution OF the government
Each army corps will send eight dele
gates, making a total OF As electors
There are two separate and distinct ten
denotes in the Cuban army-one strong
ly supporting the present government
and the other favoring General Maxine
Gomez.
Already four presidential nomination
tickets are in the field On the first are
the names Of Bartolome Masso for pres.
ident and Mendez Capote for vice presi.
dent; on the second, the names Of Men.
ANA NalhAe ANi the llfel pace ana jose
Miguel Gomez for the second: on tn,
third are Jose Miguel Gomez and Pedr,
Betancourt, and on the fourth Calixt,
Garcia and Jose Miguel Gomez.
At the camp Of Jose Miguel Gomez )
newspaper called La Nacion has beer
published for some time. 1t is described
as a strong advocate of peace and har
mony" and carries with Il the moral in
dorsement Of General Maxine Gomez
who is known 10 favor the early dis
banding of the Cuban troops and a re
turn 20 the arts of peace.
General Gomez is still encamped OF
the Narcissa estate, at Yaguajay. SAINT,
Cara province.
Several well known Cubans arrivel
here on Saturday by the Mascotte. os
tensibly as delegates commissioned b.
the Cuban junta to facilitate the wor
of disbanding the Cuban troops.
There Is reliable authority, however
for the statement that they are real
commissioned TO agjtate the question q
Cuban independence. On Sunday nigh
they We're present at a meeting held q
the residencdl of one Of the most aris
tocratic families of Havana. and IN
question of independence was then dis
cussed at length.
Senior BENJAMIN Guerra, treasurer {