The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-13
The FACTIOus CUBAN LEADERS.

The people of this country must be re-
gretfully coming to the conclusion that
those who call themselves the Cuban lead
ers are difficult people TO please-very diff
ferent from those patriots whose virtues
were set forth TO US a year ago by news
papers urging war with Spain for their lib
Grafton. They are unreasOning, tickle, I'M
grateful and suspicious. Two weeks ago
these men who call themselves the legisla-
tive assembly of Cuba went wild in well
coming Gomez 10 Havana. There was no
limit to their laudation and enthusiasm.
Even Gomez declared that there was so
much Of it that 1t would kill him. 1t has
passed away. The services of the leader
are forgotten and he has been removed
from the command OF the phantom Cuban
army by the Cuban Military Assembly. He
has been declared a traitor. and while the
frenzy is on these tickle leaders might de-
eide TO execute him If he were within
their grasp and If the fear of the Ameri-
can authorities were not a wholesome
check. Two weeks ago as we'll as now these
men knew that Gomez had agreed TO accept
$4,000 for the payment OF the alleged
Cuban army. They probably were not
pleased that the amount was not larger. but
nevertheless they gave Gomez an enthus-
iastic welcome TO Havana. Since that time
Gomez has been I'm conference with General
Brooke and 1t has been reported that he will
be called to a responsible position under
the present regime The members of the
Cuban Military Assembly have not been
called TO headquarters. They have not been
consulted about the distribution OF the So
10000. They evidently suspect that the gen.
erals OF the Military Assembly will not be
equal sharers in the distribution OF
the money. Perhaps 1t has occurred
to them that they will not be
given places as rulers-chef rulers with
brilliant uniforms. large salaries and idle
ness; so they are ready for revolution and
would now be in the midst OF one TO over
throw Gomez if he were in power did they
not stand in wholesome fear OF the Ameri-
can authorities. The Cuban seems 70 be very
much like the leaders of the same blood I'm
South and Central America and Mexico un-
til Diaz became dictator rather than Presi-
dent and brought peace with the fmailed
hand In Porto Rico there is dissatisfaction
and threats of revolution. The people once
so pleased with the prospect of American
rule are dissatisfied and rebellious.
Everybody in this country believes that the
President is anxious to bring about condi-
tions which will enable the Cubans to MAIN
tain stable government in that island. His
policy has been conciliatory. Cubans have
been called TO fill public positions, and the
poverty stricken have ben fed and cared
for. If there is any criticism TO be passed
upon the policy OF the President it is that
he has been so kind and so generous that
the Cuban leaders and people have come
to the conclusion that it is the mission of
the United States to furnish them money
and food, that they may live in idleness.
They have forgotten that the United States
has relieved them from the oppression of
Spain They appear to have no sense Of
gratitude. On the contrary. the more that
is done for them the more unreasonable are
their demands and the more arrogant their
bearing.
In view of the conduct of these leaders
or would-be leaders who maintain a mill
tary assembly in semi-defiance OF the
United States. is it not probable that the
President will be compelled TO adopt stern
instead of a conciliatory policy. suppressing
these agitators and disarming the Cuban
army, which is a menace to the property
and the security of those who would be in
dustrious?