The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-09-25
.CUBA'S
COMPLEX
PROBLEM.
Floating Middle Glass OF Citizens
Broken Down, and the Aristo.
Gratis too Proud to Work.
PERPLEMTY OF SITUATION
Heterogeneous Elements out Of
Which to Construct an Inde-
dependent Republis.

HAVANA, Sept. sl.-The EpOca. de-
scrlbIng the present situation in Cuba,
says:
"rhere are 100000 spaniards in the
island, with the greater part Of the
little wealth which the country pos
sesses. Their only ofHense Is that they
were recently In the political saddle as
the rulers of the land. They still pos
sess 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 the lions share toward
making the revolution a success, and
they are Just as we'll satisfied that in
the hour of victory they have been
awarded no part Of the spolls. There
are 100000 white Cpbans. Yet what re-
mains to them but few abandoned
plantations and limited number of
unfenced cattle ranches without stock.
There are 1000 lawyers and 1000 doc
tors. Are these the social and eco
nomIc clements with which Cuba ex-
poets to form a nation and to construct
an independent republic?
"our floating middle class, with an
its personal characteristics, Is broken
down. Our arlstocrats are demagOgues,
too proud to work and sincerely beliey-
ing that the government owes them a
living. our banks are in the hands Of
foreigners; our commerce is controlled
by foreigners; our tobacco plantations
and factories ars owned by foreigners;
our sugar estates are being bought by
foreigners, and the Cuban merchant
marine is owned and sailed by foraga-
ers."
The Patrla 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 to amaIgamate. Both
are actuated by the same motives, and
1t Is very important that the coming
elections should be guided and inspired
by one united party because upon the
tone of the elections virtually depends
the declslon with regard to Cuban lnde-
pendence."
cubans who are well Informed Us to,
local politics say that, although the two
organizations are nomInalIy united,
many members OF the national party
are really determined to push General
Maxine Gomez to the front as soon as
an opportune moment arrives. This de-
termination, combined with certain
personal differences among the leaders.
preventa entire harmony between two
bodies that are nominally in union.
1t is also asserted that GualbeTto
Gomez will hold OF until all thought
Of Maxine Gomez as common lender
is absolutely repudlated. He is, beyond
doubt, thorn'in the side of all fac
tIous, us he has powerful negro back
ing. Were he to Join in what is osten-
slbly a fusion movement, # would only
serve to increase the mutual distrust,
though that might be held in check for
time. but. as soon as the question of
dividing the spolls arose. the old anil
moslties would certainly flame out
again. Indeed, n good deal of corre-
spondence is now appearing in the
Patrla in which members OF the two
organizations accuse each other of se-
cretly endenvoring to divide the camp.
Congressman r. B. Hawley, repre-
sentlng American capitalists, has pur-
chased the Tlnguuro sugar estate. one
of the largest in Cuba, in the province
of Matanzas. The estate includes 10000
acres. which. with other large proper
ties along the south coast that Mr..
Hawley is arranging for, will, 1t is ex-
pected, produce 100OO0,0N0 pounds of
sugar. A large part of the land pur-
chased Is virgin soil, upon which 81
100000 will be expended, Including the
cost Of improvements.