The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1898-09-21
ARE NOT SATISFIED.
Cubans Are Agitating for Absolute
independence.
Urge Spaniards to Cooperate with
Them in the MOvement-Fear of
American Competition the
Cause of Dissatisfaction.

Havana, Sept. 16.-The predominant
feature of the situation is the feverish
and widespread agitation of the Cubans
in favor of the absolute independence
of the island at all costs. Manifestoes
are being circulated inviting the CO.
operation of Spanish residents and mer-
chants to this end, and pointing out
that either annexation or an American
pr~otectorate would mean death to all
trade with Spain in a couple of years.
Gomez Becomes "a Radical.
Gen. Maxine Gomez, who only a fort
night ago gave expression to extremely
moderate views, counselling harmony
and patience, now expresses himself as
strongly in favor of absolute indie
pendence or nothing" He says the
Spanish element cannot afford to delay
uniting with the Cubans, as a 'neces-
sary basis for the establishment of con-
ditions that will forbid and prevent the
United States grabbing and taking easy
advantage of the treasure both Span
iards and Cubans have fought for at an
expense of rivers of blood on eachside."
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, it's agents are
working like beavers. Some former
sympathizers with the annexation
movement are to be found to-day in
the ranks of the independence move
ment.
Cause of the Agitation.
This violent impetus given to the
agitation for independence is the re-
suit, apparently, of the arrival of the
Resolute, Or, rather, of the arrival of
Mr. Porter, and the examination he is
making into tariffs, municipal taxa
ton and other matters of internal gov
eminent which the Cubans had ex-
pected to handle and administer them
selves. Mr.. Porter's operations are
viewed with suspicion by an important
section of the Cubans, who keep on
calling meetings and protesting
against a ~"usurpation of privileges
purchased at such a sacrifice" They
insist upon absolute freedom, unre-
strained liberty or a fight to the death.
Fear Competition.
One reason why 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 res
taurateurs. They are afraid hat 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 the 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 syndicates 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 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
practically to a silent admission of
Cuba's inability to offer, if left to her
self, the guarantees of stability that
would induce foreign capital to come
here to develop the islands
The deductions seem to be this: With
Cuba independent, no foreign capital
and no competitions; with Cuba under
American rule. a competition against
which the Cubans would not have the
energy OF the power to succeed. These
questions are uppermost in every mind,
making for general u~neasiness and dis
content, preventing the resumption of
the normal lone of the market and
blocking trade and traffic.