Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-31
TROOPS LOOKING FOR THEM
Clash Between Soldiers and Natives
Not at All Likely.
VERY HARD TO CHECK DISORDER
Bands of Rowing Negross6
Encouraged to Hold II
the Island.

HAVANA. Cuba, December 3l-SeveraI
| thousand rifles and machine guns which
were landed recently in Pinar del Rio prov
ince and buried in the woods near Mariel
| have been removed. The secret police are
looking for them. Neither the police nor
American army officers detailed for the
search have located the second hiding place.
The sudden movement of two companies
of the 9th Infantry from Camp Columbia
to Santa Clara and the holding of the 18th.
Cavalry ready to march Is due to arms be-
ing traced there.
There is some doubt as to the source and
intent of the shipment. One theory Is that
the arms were bought in New York by
Messrs. Mendez. Capote, Freyre Andrade
and Frias. deposed moderate office holders
who went there Immediately after President
Palma's downfall. their mission being pop
ularly supposed to be to prepare for a revo-
luton against the prospective new liberal
republic.
Another theory is that the arms We're pur-
chased by the former liberal junta in New
York and shipped too late to be used in the
last movement. If the latter is true the
arms are now in the possession OF negroes
In the province. most restless of all.
Explains American Activity.
The cause of the activity of the American
military authorities, which has been as
mysterious in the light Of Gov. Magoon's
statement that there was no fear of an up
rising in Cuba. Is thus explained, and the
reason the Washington officials imagined
the situation grave is made clear.
Prospects of a clash between Cubans and
United States troops are remote. Their re-
lations are good. The natives are now
plotting against one another.
Disorders In Santa Clara are pointed to
by liberals as indicating a possible uprising
OF the people on the failure to induce Gov
Magoon to turn out all moderates and APP
point the liberal candidate governor of the
province. Threats of this kind have been
made. but they do not disturb Gov. Magoon,
who knows the disorder is due to negro
bandits.
Liberals as party are hungry for Office.
but are on their good behavior not to lose
their main chance of getting elections or
dered If. however. the Americans do not
hold the elections within a reasonable time
and withdraw completely, all the liberals
will certainly take to the woods.
Meantime there Is not likely to be any
serious friction with the provisional gov
eminent which believes it can preserve
the general peace with the aid of the rural
guard.
Hard to Repress Disorder.
Indications are that 1t is going to be
harder and harder to repress disorder aris-
ing from the growing bands of black-mail-
ing negroes who rowing about burning
canefields and tobacco barns robbing es-
-tates and stealing cattle. This is the nat
ural inclination of the bulk of the late con-
stitutional army, many of whom are wait
ing for office under the new republic and
Will not work. These. it is asserted, are
being encouraged in brigandage by moder-
ates, to- prolong the presence of Americans
by preventing the restoration of public con-
fidence. untff which time President Roose-
welt declares. elections will not be held.
Long postponement of elections is there
fore, hoped for-Mith the increasing prob
ability of the necessity of using United
States troops to maintain order That revo-
luton would follow the withdrawal of the
troops is regarded certain. The inten-
ton to start an instruction was openly
announced yesterday by La Discussion,
which said:
IF during American occupation elections
are held and Senior Zayas is chosen. let
him grab tightly the coattails of Governor
Magoon to keep the provisional governor
from going. Let him plant roses in all
fortresses where American troops are lodged
to beguile them into remaining. Otherwise
Mr. Zayas downfall will be immediate.
1--WE do not like to consign anybody to
limbo. but that will be his the moment
the Americans have doubled Moro. Let
Zayas undeceive himself II he attains
power by a revolution he will fall from
power by another revolution Of the same
kind. The moderates will never consent to
the government of such a man. and. more
over Jose Miguel Gomez. his supposed ally
among the liberals who has been trying
since 1904 to win the presidency, will never
be content to see any one else occupy the
seat"