The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-04
LIBERTY is DEAD.
General Gomez Thus Describes
the Situation in Cuba.
Declares Conditions Are Worse
Than Under Weyler.
A REIGN OF TERROR
Prevails Throughout the Island
and Jails Are Full
Of Men Placed There on Account
of Politics.
| REIGN OF TERROR

New York, Oct Liberty is dead in
Cuba and the condition of affairs there
is worse than it ever was under Spanish
rule, even in the most ferocious. periods
Of the Weyler government. Financial
ruin and dishonor face the people and
If things continue as they are the ma
ton will be converted into one of hered-
itary rule"
That declaration was made last night
by General Jose Miguel Gomez, COVER
nor Of the province of Santa Clara and
candidate of the Liberal party for the
presidency of Cuba. at the New Amster-
dam hotel where he is stopping Upon
his arrival yesterday General Gomez
refused to discuss Cuban affairs, but
after he had rested at his hotel he was
more communicative.
I am here to rest for some days. he
continued. And to breathe the air of
liberty that is lacking in my own coun-
try, and for which have fought so
long.
"On false charges the government as
sassinates the Liberals, the jails are fill
ed with political prisoners and we have
no hope of justice from judges and mag
tstrates who recognize no law but the
viii of the government. We are hinder
ed in casting our votes and Cuba is
now suffering a reign of terror never
equalled under Spanish tyranny. It was
such things as these that made US with
draw from the elections Public funds
are used for electoral purposes. The
sanitary condition Of the island is a
disgrace. The Cuban government has
employed thousands of men in the sani-
tary department, but for voting, not for
working purposes.
1T has become impossible to dare to
oppose the government without risk of
ones life and liberty. The mayor of
Havana has been deprived of his office
against the law and the whole city
council have been dismissed because
they were Liberals. No one dares con-
TESS his political opinions for fear of
assassination, for which purpose the
most desperate criminals are allowed by
the government to be at large.
For what is happening in Cuba the
United States government has direct
responsibility. Palma is enabled to do
as he is doing only by telling the
people every day that in case of revolu-
ton or disorder the United States would
send troops to punish them and to sus-
| tain the Palma government.
L believe If the Plat amendment
holds the United States government re-
spOnsible for order in Cuba it should
never be taken for supporting the I'M
lawful acts OF the present government
and to serve as an excuse for the COM
mission of such acts as have been COM
mitted against the opponents of that
government. It is the duty of the Unit
1 ed States to put a stop to such a con-
dition. and if affairs continue as they
are much longer we shall have to appeal
to the United States to do so.
IF the United States should inter
vene in the matter of the elections and
| insist that these elections should be car
ried on honestly it would be proved that
| so per cent of the population are Liberal
That portion of the people hate Palma
and his expressions worse than they
! hated Weyler, for the conditions he has
enforced are worse than ever existed
under Spanish dominion
Before leaving Cuba General Gomez
rendered his resignation as candidate
for president in order, as he said. to
( give the convention full liberty in its
| proceedings. Upon his arrival here he
was informed that the convention was
/ held last Sunday; that it had been de-
/ cided not to accept the resignation.
| General Gomez said that before he could
outline his next action he would
have to learn the reason for this action
/ by the convention and would have to
/ give the matter deep thought.
Palma Says It Is Not True.
Havana, Oct. 4.-When shown the
statements made by Gen. Jose Miguel
! Gomez who was candidate of the Lib
eral party for the presidency of Cuba
upon his arrival in New York Presi-
dent Palma read them carefully and re-
turned them with the laconic remark:
you know very well that these things
I a +V7yn -