Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1898-09-16
SITUATION IN CUBA.
Antiannexationists PuttingUp
a Good Fight.
GOMEZ FOR ABSOLUTE INDEPENDENCE
lie Declares. II Is Alleged, That
SDnniards Must Unite with Gu
bans In Resisting American Ag-
gressIon-Neyys of Commission.

bans In Hesisting American Ag-
gressIon-Neyys of Commission.
HAVANA. Sept. 16.-The predomi-
nant feature Of the situation is the fe-
verish and widespread agitation of the
Cubans in favor Of the absolute inde-
pendence Of the island at all costs.
Manifestoes are being circulated invit-
ing the cooperation of Spanish resi-
dents 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 cou-
pie 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
necessary basis for the establishment
of conditions that viii 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"
!
truly, that those who fear independ-
ence belong to the same family of cow
afdly ours who fed 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, pro-
/ tectlng their homes and defying the
| dangers of war and will now remain to
unite their efforts with those of the Gu
ban party, working together with the
Cubans for the development of the is
land and the return of prosperity"
A leading evening paper Wednesday
published a local letter purporting TO
voice the opinion OF Catalonia in favor
of independence and promising aid and
cooperation.
How far the influence of the party
agitating for Cuban independence may
extend it is at present difficult to esti-
mate. but the fact is its agents are
working like beavers Some former
sympathizers with the annexation
movement are TO be found today I'm the
ranks Of the independence movement.
This violent impetus given to the agi-
tation for independence is the result
apparently. OF the arrival Of the Reso-
lutte, or. rather OF the arrival of Mr..
Porter and the examination he is maxi
Ing into tariffs, municipal taxation and
other matters of internal government.
which the Cubans had expected to han
die and administer themselves. Mr.. Por-
ter's operations are viewed with suspi-
cion by an important section~of the Gu
bans. who keep on calling meetings and
protesting against a "usurpation OF
privileges purchased at such a s@crl-
flee" They insist upon absolute free
dom, unrestrained liberty or fight to
the death.
one reason why many Spaniards who
at first favored annexation have now
changed their opinion S'that they fear
the competition of American rivals as
storeBeepers. hotel managers and res
taurateurs. They are afraid that the
Americans, instead Of coming to buy
out their establishments and stocks at
fabulous prices based upon the old
Spanish duties. will open shops next
door, import goods at low duties under
the new regime, ruin their business and
reduce them to poverty.
Exactly the same spirit prevails
among the planters, especially the
smaller ones, who had hoped to sell at
good prices the old French and Belgian
machinery for which they paid dear and
imported under excessive duties. They
realize that the American syndfcates
will bring American machinery much
cheaper and paying practically no du-
ties, establish a large central market.
close theirs and push them to the wall.
The awakening Of all such dreamers
to the reality OF the future nature Of
American competition causes them now
to shout loudly for Cuban independence,
under which they would expect to en-
Joy the blessings Of lenient laws with
out fear Of active competition.
All this amounts practically to a ST.
lent admission of Cuba's inability to
offer, If left to herself the guarantees
of stability that would induce foreign
capital to come here to develop the is
lands natural resources. The deduc-
ton seems TO be this: With Cuba indie
pendent no foreign capital and no COM
petition; with Cuba under American
rule, a competition against which the
Cubans would not have the energy or
the power to succeed.
These questions are uppermost in ev-
cry mind, making for general uneasi-
ness and discomfort. preventing the re-
sumption OF the normal tone of the
market and blocking trade and traffic.
The American evacuation commits
sioners passed the day quietly. Rear
Admiral Sampson came ashore to do
some shopping and returned 70 the Res
olute with his staff in the course of the
afternoon.
General Butler who is now living
ashore went on board the transport
yesterday morning to confer with Cen
eral Wade and DR.. Lame the commits
sion's physician, regarding the sanitary
arrangements at the Trocha hotel
which viii be ready in a few days for
the reception of the commissioners and
the entire staff
General Butler his staff and Robert
r.. Porter are the only American repre-
scntativcs living on shore. but next
week night shore leave viii be granted
TO the stafrs Of Admiral Sampson and
General Wade, whose members. under
the navy regulations. are now Obliged
10 be on board the Resolute at 3 o'clock
p. m. sharp The officers intend 10 ask
their superiors 10 modify the regula-
tions regarding dress. which compels
them to wear their uniforms on shore