The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-29
POSITION GOMEZ HAS TAKEN.
AMERICAN CONTROL is NECESSARY
FOR THE PRESENT.

But He Continues to Favor Ultimate
Independence-SOme Papers Dub
Him an Ally of the United States.
sancti spiritus in a DepIorabIe
COnditiOn-BaDdits Getting in
Their Work-Santa Clara PROVING e
Behind the Times.
Havana, April 2S.-The attitude of Cen.
Maxine Gomez toward his intervening
power" as he calls the United States,
causes a lively controversy among polite
ians here and even among his friends.
LaDiscussion and Ell Reconcentrado treat
MIN as an ally of the United States, and
refer to him as "a traitor to the cause of
Cuban independence"
La Lucha and La Patria view him as a
consistent leader of the Cuban people.
From time to time the copies of his pri-
vate correspondence embodying illusions
to public business are supplied to the
press. and afford material for speculation
and argument regarding his real position
and purpose.
Gen Gomezs Position.
A member of his household has given
the following explanation of the position
of Gomez:
"Of course, Gen. Gomez continues 20
favor, as he always has favored, ulti-
mate independence but he considers a
period of American control as a logical
preparation for that independence. There
fore he wishes to cooperate with the
Americans without reservation in disband-
ing the troops and in quieting and recon
structing the country. He cannot tell how
long this period should be, but he would
probably have issued statement, declar
ing his formal support of the American
provisional control, if the recent severe
attacks upon his views had not been
made"
The report that Gen. Gomez is drawing
up proposal for the organization of Gu
ban militia is not verified by him.
Gen. Brooke to-day issued a decree re-
ducing the taxes on mortgages, deeds, be-
quests and inheritances so per cent, and
in some instances to one-third the original
amount.
The Cuban Army Rolls.
tee, or junta, of Cuban generals, are push
ing their inquiries in the work of verify
ing the Cuban rolls and it is now believ-
ed that the final list will not include more
than 2SOOO names. The lists will probably
be ready before the arrival of Maj. Fran
els S. Dodge, of the pay department, who
will disburse the 100000
La Lucha publishes telegram from
Sancti Spiritus describing the conditions
there as most deplorable. The correspond
ent says the citizens can get neither food
nor work, and that thousands are apply
authorities.
La Lucha suggests paving the streets
of Sancti Spiritus as one way of provid-
ing employment.
work of the Bandits.
La Lucha publishes a dispatch from HoI-
suin. province of Santiago de Cuba,
reporting that bandits yesterday
attacked the villages of Saro,
Hutia, Peregrinia, Canelon and Sa-
ma. all in the northern part of the prov
ince, and that another party of fifteen
attacked San Andres, about 25 miles
bed che houses at each place. securing
principally groceries and clothing.
The dispatch says that Cuban Gen. Sal
azar, with seven men pursued the bandits
and overlook them in the VijaM noun
tains where hot fight ensued. The rob-
bers were eventually driven from behind
the rocks and retreated leaving one dead
"a negro-four horses and several bundles
of plumber. The dead man was identified as
Domingo Martinez, a Jamaican who has
long resided near Holguin.
Gen Wood, military governor of Santiago
department, wires the governor general
that the planters in the neighborhood of
Holguin have been conniving at the opera
lions of the bandits, in order that Amers-
can troops might be stationed on the plan
tations. Gen. Wood says the reports of
outrages are exaggerated.
santa Clara Way Behind.
Adyices from Santa Clara show that the
Droyince IS far behind Santiago or Puerto
Principe in the matter of administrative
reform.
Every old Spanish office Is SIN in ex-
istence. The Cuban civil governor. Jose
Maria Gomez, is seemingly allowed indie
pendent sway, irrespective Of the army
He wears a gorgeous uniform and spends
his time IN showing IL in public places
Gomez has had quarrels with the mayorg
OF several cities over the matter Of an
polntments 10 the rural and civil guards
the mayors Insisting thai they should be
permitted TO make appointments TO Inc
clvil guards.
Saucu spirltus is probably the worst
managed city Of les size IN the world With
a population Of less than 1000. 5000 OF
The inhabitants are receiving government
cations.