Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-09-25

HAVANA, September 24.-The Epo-
cha describing the present situation in
Cuba says:
"There are 100000 Spaniards in the
island with the greater part of the lit
tie wealth which the country possesses.
Their only offence is that they were
recently in the political saddle as the
rulers of the land. They still possess
much influence. There are 100000
men of the African race among Us, for
mer slaves or the descendants of slaves.
These are fully convinced that they
contributed TIE lions share towards
making the revolution a success, and
they are just as well satisfied that in
the hour of victory, they have been
awarded no part of the spoils. There
are 100000 white Cuban5. Yet what
remains Of them but few abandoned
plantations and a limited number of
unfenced cattle ranches without stock.
There are 1000 lawyers and 1000 doc
tors. Are these the social and econ
omic elements with which Cuba expects
to form a nation and to construct an
independent republic?
'Our floating middle class, with all
its personal characteristics, is broken
down. Our aristocrats are dangerous,
too proud to work and sincerely be-
lieving that the government owes them
a living. Our banks are in the hands
of foreigners; our commerce is con-
trolled by foreigners; our tobacco plan
tations and factories are owned by for
eigners; our sugar estates are being
bought by foreigners, and the Cuban
merchant marine is owned and sailed
by foreigners.
The Patria says:
Whatever the reasons the Cuban
League and the Cuban national party
have for keeping themselves distinct
should be laid aside. The two organi
cations ought r. amalgamate. Both
are actuated by the same motives and
it is very important that the coming
elections should be guided and inspired
by one united party, because upon the
of Al &c
the decision with regard to Cuban indie
pendence."
Cubans who are well informed as to
local politics say that, although the
two organizations are nominally united
many members of the national party
are really determined to push Gen.
Maxine Gomez to the front as soon as
an opportune moment arrives. This
determination, combined with certain
personal differences among the leaders,
prevents entire harmony between two
bodies that are nominally in union.
1t is also asserted that Gualberto
Gomez will hold off until all thought of
Maxine Gomez as a common leader is
absolutely repudnated. He is, beyond
doubt, a thorn in the side of all fac
tons, as he has a powerful negro
backing. Were he to join in what is
ostensibly a fusion movement 1t would
only serve to increase the mutual dis
trust though that might be held in
check for time, but, as soon as the
question of dividing the spoils arose,
the old animosities would certainly
flame out again. Indeed, a good deal
of correspondence is now appearing in
the Patria in which members of the
two organizations accuse each other
of secretly endeavoring to divide the
camp.
The programme for the fall meeting
of the Havana Jockey club, on October
23d, has just been issued.
1t includes two steeplechases. A
new track has been obtained at Que
mados and special trains will be run
from the city.
Congressman R. B. Hawley, repre-
senting American capitalists, has pur-
chased the Tinguaro sugar estate, one
of the largest in Cuba, In the prov
ince of Matanzas. The estate in
cludes 10000 acres, which, with other
large properties along the south coast
that Mr.. Hawley is arranging for, will,
it is expected, produce 100,000,000
pounds of sugar. A large part Of the
land purchased is virgin soil, upon
which s1,500,00O will be expended. in
GLIDING the cost Of Improvements.
At 8 o'clock this afternoon the tenn
perature in Havana was SO degrees
Fahrenheit.
The workmen of Havana held mass
meeting to-day, at which about 5000
were present. Infiammatory speeches
were made in favor of a general strike
to secure an eight-hour day. Many
public men were referred to, but the
name OF Juan Gualberto Gomez was
the only name that was cheered. Tie
speakers urged those who had fought
for liberty on the field OF battle to
fight for liberation from the slavery Of