The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-09-16
WORKING LIKE BEAVERS
Cuban Agitation in Favor of Alb
solute Independence.
A FEAR OF COMPETITION
With Cuba Independent There Will Be
No Guarantee of Stability for For
eign Capital-Cubans Dread
Annexation.

Havana. Sept. 15.-The predominant
feature of the situation is the wide
spread agitation of the Cubans in favor
of absolute independence of the island
at all costs. Manifestos are circulated
inviting the cooperation of Spanish
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.
Gen. Maxine Gomez. who only a fort
night ago gave the expression to ex-
tremely moderate views. counseling
harmony and patience. now expresses
himself as strongly in favor of absolute
independence or nothing. He says the
Spanish element cannot afford to delay
uniting with the Cubans upon 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 which
both the Spaniards and Cubans have
fought for at an expense of rivers of
blood on each side" General Gomez
says, If report speaks truly, that those
who fear independence belong to the
same family of cowardly ours who fled
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 protecting their homes and de-
flying the dangers of war and will re-
main to unite their efforts with those
of the Cuban party, working together
with the Cubans for the development
of the island and the return of pros
perity."
Ia.dirg ayapipg ponar ,,as+ar5av
published a local letter purporting to
voice the opinion of Calonia 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 that it's agents
are working like beavers. Some former
sympathizers with annexation are
to De found yet in the ranks of the in
dependence movement. The violent inn
petus given to the agitation for inde-
pendence is the result, apparently, of
the arrival of the Resolute or rather,
of the arrival of Mr.. Porter and the ex-
animation he is making into the tar
iffs, municipal taxation and other mat
ters of internal government which Gu
bans have expected to handle and ad-
minister themselves.
Mr.. Porter's operations are viewed
with suspicion by an important section
of the Cubans, who hold open meetings
against a usurpation of privileges pur-
chased at such sacrifice. They insist
on absolute freedom, unrestrained lib
erty or fight to the death.
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
r1 INT
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 the duties
under the new regime, ruin their bust
ness and reduce them 10 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 machinery,
much cheaper and paying practically no
duties, will 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 Ameri-
can competition causes them now to
shout loudly for Cuban independence,
under which they would expect to enjoy
the blessing of lenient laws without
fear of active competition.
All this amounts practically to a silent
admission of Cuba's inability to offer if
left to herself the guarantee of stability
that would induce foreign capital TO
come here to develop the islands re-
sources. The deduction seems 10 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 or the power to sue
ceed.
These questions are uppermost in eV-
cry mind, making for general uneasiness
and discomfort, preventing the resump-
ton of the normal tone of the market
and blocking the trade and traffic.
The American evacuation commits
sioners passed to-day quietly. Rear
Admiral Sampson came ashore to do
some shopping and returned to the Res
olute with his staff in the course Of the
afternoon.
General Butler, who is now living
ashore. went on board the transport this
TO confer with General Wade
and DR.. Laine, the commissioners. re-
garding the sanitary arrangements at
the Trocha hotel, which will be ready
in a few days for the reception of the
and the entire staff.
Killed the Train Crew