The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-09-16
CUBANS FEAR
That American Competition
Will Ruin Business Interests
Already Established in Havana
and the Provinces.
A s TX INDEPENDENCE
At Once to Prevent Americans
From Overwhelming
Them in Business Delicat g
Situation.
ASK INDEPENDENCE

Havana, Sept. 16-The predominant fea-
ture of the situation is the feverish and
widespread agitation of the Cubans in IA
'vor of the absolute independence of the
island at all costs.
Manifestos 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 a
~ moderae T views PP669nseng 4aTmony
and patience, now expresses himself as
or nothing: He says the Spanish element
cannot afford to delay uniting with the
General Gomez says if report speaks
truly, that those who fear independence
ours who ed fTo@ H If5 at ftih the rggt
rumor of bombardment."
But these he declares are a minority:
ana 70 quote him further, almost the en-
tire Spanish population remains, protect
ing their homes and defying the dangers
of war, and Will now remain to unite their
edoEIfs with those Of the Gpban party,
deYelopment or the island and the return
This violent impetus given to the agita-
ton Tor Independence is the result, appar-
S a ~, u ne ne ARRIVAL OF the R6soIute, or
the examination he is making. of the tar
of interest, which the Cubans have ex-
selves Mr.. Porter's operations are view
ed with suspicion by an important section
of the Cubans, who keep on calling meet
ings and protesting against a ''usurpation
OF privileges purchased al such a sacri-
fee" They insist upon absolute freedom,
unrestrained liberty or a fight to the
death.
One reason why so many Spaniards who
at first favored annexation have now
changed their opinion is that they fear
the competition of American rivals as
storekeepers, hotel managers and restau-
Americans. instead of coming to buy out
their establishments and stocks at fabu-
lous prices, based upon the old Spanish
duties, VIII open shops next door, import
goods at the duties under the new regime,
ruin their business and reduce them to
Exactly the same spirit prevails among
the planters, especially the smaller ones,
who hoped to sell at good prices the old
they paid dear and imported under ex-
cesslve duties They realize that the
paying practically no duties will estab-
ush q large central market, close theirs and
push them to the wall.
The awakening of all such hampers to
the reality of the future of American
competition causes them now to shout
loudly for Cuban Independence, under
which they would expect to enjoy the
blessings of lenient laws without fear of
active competition.
All this amounts practically to silent
admission of Cuba's Inability to offer if
that would induce foreign capital to come
here to develop the island resources. The
deductions seem to be this:
With Cuba independent no foreign CAPT.
tai and no competition; with Cuba under
American rule, a competition against
ergy or power to succeed.
These questions are uppermost in every
mind, making for general uneasinesS and
discontent, preventing the resumption of
the normal tone of the market and block
aiding trade and traffic.
The American evacuation commissioners
passed today quietly. Rear Admiral Samp-
son came ashore to do some shopping and
the course of the afternoon.