The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-07
CUBANS DESIRE PEACE
RUMORs OF AN UPRISING DE-
NOUNCED BY THE NEWSPAPERS.
Even Agitators Counseling the Peo-
pIe Not to Create Trouble-MayOrs
of Havana Province Confer.

HAVANA, March 6.-The frequent rum
ors cabled from the United States regard
ing possible uprisings in Cuba in the early
future are causing the press of the island
to ask who is responsible for these wonder
full stories. The newspapers, without ex-
ception, declare that the people of Cuba
never felt less like rising than they do at
present. Even the agitators against con-
tinuance of American occupation have been
counseling moderation of late and the
tenor of their recent speeches has been
greatly modified Indeed, the wish is every
where expressed that the forthcoming
elections may pass off without friction of
any kind. as IT is felt that just now the
eyes of the world are turned towards Cuba
in her efforts to obtain self-government,
and that any disturbances or even objec-
tions on the part of the minority after the
elections would be injurious to the future
of Cuba.
The Lucha says: even If the people de-
sired an uprising, they have not enough
arms and ammunition to begin one
The Cubano says: Presumably these re-
ports are the tricks of a certain American
politician in order to get more United
States troops into Cuba. This individual is
trying to make II appear that the situation
now the Cubans are the most peaceably-
disposed people In the world"
The Patria says: 1.-The recent reports
from Washington to the effect that an up
rising is imminent In Cuba We can only re-
gard with wonder and ridicule. Cubans
are not like the athletic people of Ken
lucky, who shoot at the smallest provoca-
ton. Nor is Cuba yet convinced that the
joint resolution of Congress is a dead let
ter"
The meeting recently summoned by Civil
Governor Nunez, to consider ways and
means of making the receipts of the
municipalities cover their expenses, took
place to-day, all the mayors of the prov
ince of Havana including Senior La Coste
being present. Senior Nunez told the meet
ing that as the mayors aspired to direct
self-governing municipalities, they should
make these municipalities self-supporting.
He pointed out that If the state had to
pay deficits. Ii would be impossible for
municipalities to enjoy local independence.
The mayors will hold another meeting at
an early date, when they will submit
statements Of the values of properties in
their respective jurisdiction. AT to-day's
meetings it was agreed that the best way
to raise funds would be to tax the land in
accordance with its value. instead of in ac-
cordance with the income from it, as is
now done.
The presidents of the committees of the
National party have issued a programme
for the coming elections. The document
which is a long one. says in part 1.-THE
National party considers the coming cleo
tions of transcendent Importance. The
Americans will watch the Cubans closely
and If the Cubans display good judgment
in the conduct of the elections the Ameri-
cans will no longer have any excuse for
delaying the delivery of the island to the
Cuban people" The programme goes on to
say that municipalities should be free from
all state control and be absolute in matters
of purely local nature, such as police, pri-
mary education, local taxation. sewerage,
paving streets and kindred public works.
The municipalities should have power to
raise loans, subject to the approval of a
committee of twenty-four citizens, elected
by the people. Several reforms that are
considered necessary in Havana are speci-
fed in the programme, among them the
laying out of parks in addition to those
now existing, the Introduction of new
system of sewers not emptying into the
harbor. pavements, workmen's cottages
and a slaughter house.
The Havana Charter Commission has
thus far been occupied with the admins
trative functions of the municipality. The
charter of the city of Cleveland has been
model. The commission will recommend
that the mayor have a right of vote, SUBJ
ject to be overruled by a majority to be
fixed later. 1t will also recommend that
twenty-four councilmen be elected for two
years. Some of the powers of the munich
pality have not yet been settled by the
commission
Dispatches have been received from Kew
West announcing that Secretary Root is
delayed there and will not arrive here I'M
til Tomorrow