Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-02-27
CEN. GOMEZ ON
CUBAN SITUATION
If United States Should Withdraw
Now, He Feared BIoOdsbed,
WOULD FOLLOW AMERICANS
Responsibility OF This Government
to Establish Peace and order
Recognized by Him.

Havana, Feb. 26,-Gen, Gomez visit
ed Gov. Gen. Wood this morning
and assured him that the stories
of unrest and dissatisfaction at the
continuance Of the United States in
PREVENTION were false and that he had
been misrepresented In statements to
the effect that he favored an immedi-
ate withdrawal of the United states
troops and giving Cuba absolute indie
pendence. II they should withdraw
now he feared bloodshed Beyond
doubt within sixty days the Cubans
would be fighting among themselves.
Gen. Gomez added. "If the Ameri-
cans were to withdraw today l would
go with them"
Gen. Gomez said he recognized the
fact that the United States was re-
sponsible for the establishment OF a
stable government IN Cuba and could
not withdraw until such a condition
was brought about. The work Of
handing over the reins Of government
to the new republic was an UNDER
taking involving much time and labor
and a large amount Of study and ex-
perlence on the part OF the Cubans in
the work OF government.
The general also said the element in
control Of the municipalities was not
working In the interest Of the island.
The officials were inexperienced and
could not be given free hand. It.
would mean the destruction and ruin
alton of the island.
Gen. Wood said the greatest difficulty
experienced was in getting the con
servatiye element interested In the
municipal government. 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 under the electoral law being
drawn up by the convention.
Gen. Gomez had no objection TO the
outline Of the future relations between
the United States and Cuba as recon-
mended by the Senate Of the United
States. He thought, however that It
would be better for the United States
to lease land for naval stations in
stead OF purchasing II outright.
After a discussion Of several hours
the convention adopted one article de-
iining the proposed relations. namely.
that Cuba would not make treaties
with any country which would en-
danger the sovereignty Of the republic
or allow the islands to be made a base
Of war operations against the United
states or any other country
The last four words, cor any other
country" were added after warm
debate. The advocates Of this clause
maintained that Cuba should remain
neutral. as a war carried on in the is-
land would only result in the ruin If It's
agricultural interests, which had al
ready suffered greatly and had not yet
fully recovered. rr
UNCLE SAM MUST STAY IN CUBA.
New York, Feb 27.-Several OF the
passengers on the steamer Havana,
which has just arrived from Havana
express the opinion that Cuba is not in
a political condition to receive her in
dependence, DR.. w, c. Phelps, of Buf.
falo, says;
Uncle Sam must stay in Cuba. Ev-
erybody with whom ! conversed In Gu
ba wants the United States to stay
there, It is only the rabble or negroes
OF about 80 per cent Of the
entire population Of Cuba who yell for
Free Cuba, and these uneducated and
people are merely fire eaters
II they got their freedom other nations
would step in and take the island from
them for debt, | must say that the
streets Of Havana are clean and that
the general health Is remarkably good
The great trouble in Cuba, is that there
Is nothing fit TO eat.
Joseph Howard, the journalist, said
III the United States tries to leave !
Cuba next June, as Is talked of, they |
will have to get back there |
10 avert state OF anarchy which |
would undoubtedly follow their with |
irawal. Capital is apprehensive. There |
Is no trade All are waiting. Ameri. |
,ans and the capitalists want the reten-
lion of the United States troops"
sEcY. ROOT TO GEN. WOOD.
New York, Feb. 27.--According TO q
special TO the Times from Washington.
,ecy Root was In communication with
Zen. Wood last night and there was !