The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-11-27
SHALL CUBANS BE FREE?
Speakers Insist on independence for People
In West Indies.
AMERICANS HELPED IN TINE OF NEED
And II Now Remains to BE Seen
whether Americans Arc ms Cen
crous ms they. Claim TO BE.

| Havana, November 26--some 5000 peo-
pie attended the meeting OF the delegates
OF tho Cuban league and National party
| today. It was expected the questions of
the civil governorship and the appointment
Of new bishop of Havana would be dis
cussed. AS 1t turned out these matters
were only lightly touched upon Senior
Borges, who was one of the principal
speakers, said:
Cuba has passed through many throcs,
but possibly there are more bitter agonies
yet to be endured. When those who arc
managing our affairs from abroad think,
either from design or error, OF instituting
civil government among us and when
foreigner is appointed as bishop of Ha-
yana, Cubans need calm judgment, why
| is 1t that so many OF our leading literary
and professional men hold back from our
patriotic platforms, while at the Same
| time declaring themselves patriots? These
are the men who would have to direct the
government of the country. They would
reap the harvest Of independence, Ter
haps they are SELFISH perhaps they are
too proud; perhaps they prefer leaving
the hard work to workingmen like myself.
The United States is great and mag
unanimous Nation. The Americans have
heped the Cubans in their time OF need,
'but 1t is yet to be shown that they a9e
! us generous as at first they seemed. mere
have been Cubans who died in the nope
of securing independence: and there are
ICubans who are ready to initiate their
example"
| General Gonzales said: "Cubans must
not break the law by appealing to arrange
ments to settle the question of civil gov
eminent BY such they would merely
4 crafty those who wish to show the world
| that Cubans can not respect law.
| Senior Zazas said. I'VE Cubans watch
over independence like parents over
sick child. 1t Is but natural that we
should not forget our many sleeples5
4 nights. There is naught for us to do put
| 10 finish our work and secure inuepen-
! dence."
| From every part of the islands com
4 mupications are received by the local pa
4 pers protesting against ciVil governor
! general Almost without exception every
! paper published in Spanish has objected.
I The majority condemns the project utterly.
f, Tho minority think that any change 10 De
made should be by way OF reducing the
/ number of American troops in liz Island.
! GRITTY subsequent governors should be
! Cubans and not subject to any local mill
| tary commanders The veterans VINO con-
4 stitute the body from which trouble
| would be most likely to arise are 'ery
pronounced against civil governorship
in any form. The various centers are
making their objections and passing res
outions which call upon the United
States congress to grant absolute inde-
pendence to Cuba.
| La Lucha says that the veterans GO
not repres mt Cuba. To this charge tnc-
reply that, although representing financial
| interests, they certainly do represent the
element upon whose stability the future
control of government will largely de-
pend for It's success.
Senior Nerana says: Many Cubans
think decentralization will cure the pres
cnt evils Of government, In my Judgment,
| the remedy would be as bad as the dis
ease. 1t is not necessary to rush tc the
opposite extreme. 1t would be advisable
10 determine how far decentralization
should be carried, remembering the frag
mentary and feeble conditions of public
life existing outside the large towns as
well as the deep rooted prejudices engen-
dered by the old regime"
Senior Capote, secretary of tho governor,
has issued an order to the civil governors
DIRECTING them to enforce the acceptance
of Spanish silver coin issued during The
reigH of Queen Isabella Il
Lieutenant Colonel Sanger, director OF
the census, will soon start on tour
around the island in the ingalls,, General
Brooke's dispatch boat, in connection with
the taking of the census
senior Desyernie, secretary of finance,
has requested all administrators OF finance
to furnish him with information regard :.
ing the number of sugar mills in operation
prior 20 the war, the amount of their
product and the sums paid in taxes
a cock fight took place today at GUIANA
oaeoa, drawing large crowd. few
Americans were present.