The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1898-09-21
WANT FREEDOM.
A Lively Agitation in That Direc-
ton in Cuba.
GEN. GOMEZ OUTSPOKEN.
The Spaniards, it is Said, Are Not
Now in Favor OF Annexation
TO the United States.

A dispatch from Havana says 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.
Manifestos are being circulated IN
vitins 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 couple
of years.
Gen. Maximo Gomez, who afortnight
ago. gave expression to extremely mo-
derate views, counseling harmony
and patience. now expresses himself IN
favor of absolute independence or
nothing" He says the Spanish ele-
ment cannot afford to delay uniting
with the Cubans, as a necessary ba-
sis for the establishment Of conditions
that will forbid and prevent the United
States grabbing and taking easy advan-
tage of the treasure both Spanlards and
Cubans have fought forat at an expense
of rivers of blood on each side.
Gen Gomez says, if report speaks
truly. that thosewho fear independence
belong to the same family Of cowdardly
ours who fed from Habana, at the first
rumor of bombardment." These, he
declares, are, however, mlnorlty;;and,
to quote him further, almost the
entire Spanish population remains, pro-
tecting their homes and defylng the
dangers of war, and will now remain to
unite their efforts with those Of the
Cuban party, working together with the
Cubans for the development OF the IS
land and the return Of prosperity.
4 leading evening paper THURSDAY
published a local letter purportlng 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 indepen-
dence may extend it is at present din
cult to estimate, but the fact is, its
agents are working like beavers. Some
former sympathizers with the annexa-
ton movement are to be found now
in the ranks of the independence move
ment. =,
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 ne IS
making into tariffs, municipal taxation
and other matters of internal govern,
ment which the Cubans had expected
to handle and administer themselves.
Mr.. Porter's operations are viewed with
suspicion by an important section
of the Cubans, who keep on call
ing meetings and protesting against
'susurpation of privileges purchased
at such sacrifice. They insist upon
absolute freedom, unrestricted liberty
or a fight to the death.
One reason why many Spanlaros who
at first favored annexation have changed
their opinion is that they fear the con-
petition of American rivals as store
keepers, hotel managers and restauran-
teurs. The same spirit prevails among
the planters, especially the smaller
ones. All this amounts practically to
silent 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 resources. The deductions seem
TO be this: With Cuba independent,
no foreign capital and no competition;
with Cuba under American rule, COM
petition against which the Cubans
would not have the energy or the power
to succeed.
These questions are uppermost In
every mind, causing general uneasiness
and discomfort, preventing the resump-
ton Of the normal tone Of the market
and blocking trade and traffic.