The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-27
sBeyOnd Doubt" He Said, ssWithin
Fighting Among Themselves"
HASTE IS NOT DESIRABLE
NO UNREST OVER CONTINUANCE OF
AMERICAN OCCUPATION.
Speech by Senator Morgan I'm Oppo-
sitiOn to Amendment to the
Army Appropriation Bill.

HAVANA, Feb. 26.-General Gomez Wis
tied Governor General Wood this morn
ing and assured him that the stories of
unrest and dissatisfaction at the continu-
ance of the United States Intervention were
false and that he had been misrepresented
in statements to the effect that he favored
an immediate withdrawal of the United
States troops and giving Cuba absolute
independence. If they withdrew now he
feared bloodshed. Beyond doubt within
sixty days the Cubans would be lighting
among themselves. General Gomez added:
IF the Americans were to withdraw to-
day. would go with them.''
General Gomez said he recognized the
fact that the United States was response
BILE for the establishment of a stable gov
ernment in Cuba and could not withdraw
until such a condition was brought about
The work of handing over the reins of gov
ernment to the new republic was an under
taking involving much time and labor and
large amount of study and experience
on the part of Cubans in the work of SELF
government. The general also said the
element in control Of the municipalities
was not working in the interest OF the
island. The officers were inexperienced and
could not be given a free hand. 1t would
mean the destruction and ruination of the
island.
General Wood said the greatest diff
fv in, ha
servative element interested in municipal
governments. His purpose was to bring the
best element to the front. The coming
municipal elections would pave the way
for the elections to be held in the electoral
law being drawn up by the convention.
General Gomez had no objection to the
outline of the future relations between the
United States and Cuba as recommended
by the Senate of the United States. He
thought, however, that it would be better
for the United States to lease the land for
naval stations. instead Of purchasing out
right.
After discussion of several hours the
constitutional convention to-day adopted
one article defining the proposed relations.
namely. that Cuba would not make treaties
with any country which should endanger
the sovereignty of the republic or allow
the island to be made a base of war opera
tions against the United States or any
other country. The last four words, ''or
any other country" were added after a
warm debate. The advocates of this clause
maintained that Cuba should remain neu-
trail, as a war carried on in the island
would only result in the ruin of its agri-
cultural interests, which had already suf-
fered greatly and had not yet fully recoy-
cred.
Senor Giberga said that in accepting the
scheme of relations outlined by the United
States they would be adopting the only
guarantees of peace in the island and Of
keeping off other nations desrous of max
ing Cuba a base of operations.
Most of the delegates openly declare thai
the dispatches from the United States pur-
porting to set forth the idea of the Senate
are fake kilograms, sent to influence the
convention. Those who take this view
declare that the United States Congress
will not support President Mckinley In
putting forward scheme of relations not
satisfactory to the constitutional conven-
ton. In any event they say their belief
will not be shaken until Congress acts
otherwise.