The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-26
RELATIONS WITH AMERICA.
Senior sanEuiIy's Statement of Cuba's
POsition Arouses Interest.

| POHftiOn ArOuses Interest.
| HAVANA, Nov. 25.-The recent declara.
ton OF Senior sanguily in the constitu-
tional convention regarding the import
ance OF considering the relations between
CUBA and the United States when the con-
stitution Is being made. has caused much
interest. Some Cubans say that as the
time draws near for the convention to
aeai with the matter the people will tend
10 form two parties, one in favor of a
protectoratc. and the other in favor OF
absolute independence
me Lucia" praises Senior Sanguily.
IL says the ,moderates in the convention
VIII advocate the maintenance by the
Americans of their control OF the island
US regards external relations and inter
nal order. while the radical element will
Try to reduce the relations to a mere COM
mercial question. Some, the Lucia"
says. Will openly advocate a protectorate.
La Nacion." the organ of Senior Col
lazo. asks: Who are these moderates of
whom the Lucia speaks?" 1t declares
that the Cubans are ready to go to the
WOODS and fight to the death before al
lowing their sovereignty to be impaired
A meeting was held here today 20 pro-
test against the appointment of Monsignor
Sbarretti. as Bishop of Havana. Maxine
Gomez and Senior Cisneros presided. Some
thirty representatives from the diocese of
Havana were present, as were also
number Of spectators. Several speeches
were made to the effect that there was
no use of appealing to the Bishop. who
mad been appealed to Before. and who
would answer that he was obeying the
orders of Rome by remaining in Havana.
The real method was to agitate through
out the country and to work through
Rome and Washington. 1t was argued
that the Bishop had come as the envoy OF
annexation, and that he showed lack
OF sympathy with the Cubans by>not being
present at public ceremonies, such as the
burial of General Maceo, and not taking
part in public festivities. whereas he sent
telegram to Colonel Roosevelt after the
elections. 1t was charged that the Bishop
has broken the laws of the Catholic
Church, which matter should be reported
to Rome.
General Gomez said that the best plan
was for all The municipalities to tele-
graph to the Bishop asking him to go.
He spoke in favor of continuing the agi-
tation, and declared that recourse to
violence would be perfectly justiiable in
this case. where the will of the people
was set at naught. He said strong and
determined message should be sent to
Bishop Sbarretti. letting him know that
he has a serious question to deal with.
The attitude of General Gomez was ap-
parently very hostile. but some Cubans
point out that his position now is differ
ent from what it was when the Bishop
came here. he then having used his infiu-
ence to calm the people. 1t is charged
that General Gomez is taking this means
to bring himself before the public.
1t is also said that the agitation is
political game to reunite the forces of the
National party, which is divided between
Senores Genera and Rodriguez. and the
new Workmans party. The latter is
threatening to take away the bulk of the
National forces. Perhaps a big demon
stration against the Bishop. prompted by
General Gomez, might reunite the party.
The meeting, like all the others against
the Bishop. was very lukewarm. The del |
egates seemed at a loss to know what to |
do.
Sir William Van Horne has written to |
Senior Gomez the Civil Governor of Santa |
Clara, regarding the reports that he and |
his colleagues intend to import labor |
from Jamaica for the construction of the |
Cuba Central Railway. He denies the re-
port, and says that the company will give
the preference in all cases to Cubans.
When it becomes necessary to import |
laborers these will be brought from Spain
and, perhaps, Italy.