Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-10-11
LOOKING FORWARD
Now That Disarmament Is Taking
Place, cubans Are Specializing
as to Their Country'S Future.
MANY FAVOR ANNEXATION.
Not Probable That an ELECTION
Will ne Held Until JHne-Rcb-
els in the Provinces surren-
der Their Arms.

Havana. Oct. Snow that the dis
armament Of the revolutionists and
the government volunteers is pro-
crossing steadily, the thoughtful por-
lions Of the public Of all nationalities
are animatedly discussing the posi-
biIities Of Cuba's future form of gov
eminent. The desire for annexation
which has been carefully concealed
for the past four years is now voiced
openly and the wish that the United
| states retain some measure Of actual
control in Cuban affairs Is heard
more mistakenly than ever.
Representatives CT leading ele-
ments, both Cuban and foreign. have
been asked to attend a meeting to
discuss the feasibility Of holding some
sort Of ple5iscite by which all classes
4 the population would be enabled
TO express their ideas on what the
future form Of government should be.
One plan suggested is the formation
into roups of the various foreign ele-
ments, each Of which will formulate
It's own project Of government.
The idea of holding the next cleo
lions In January has been entirely
abandoned, the general preference
among Cubans appearing to favor the
holding Of elections in June. The
question of the status Of congress and
whether senators and representatives
are to receive their salaries after the
establishment Of the provisional gov
eminent will be decided in Washing
ton.
REPORTS of the disarmament opera
tiois show considerable delay and
confusion, but no real opposition. On
the whole, the work is proceeding
smoothly and the only complication
encountered was met and disposed Of
Tuesday by Brig. Gen, Frederick
Funston, assisted by Gen. Agra
monte, Of the disarmament commits
sion. It apears that Gen. Asberts
agreement to disarm and disband was
conditional on the surrender and dis
armament also Of all the policemen In
the town of Guines. Gems. Funston
and Agramonte went In an automo-
bile to Guines to straighten out the
matter.
Upon their arrival the mayor Of
Guines, Senior Ayala, absolutely re-
fused to discharge the police. Gen.
Funston declared that unless the may
or agreed to the conditions an armed
force would be sent to disarm AS
bert's army, which numbers LOO
men, and that this would possibly re-
suit in bloodshed. Argument had no
effect on the mayor until he was told
that he could retain the police pay
roll and reinstate his men after quiet
had been restored.
Gen. Funston further suggested the
sending Of marines to police the town
temporarily and this plan was &C.
cepted. Gems. Funston and Agra
monte then visited Gen. Asbert at the
village Of Cottero and found him
agreeable to this compromise. Ac-
cordingly rs marines will be sent to
Guines Friday to police the town and
to receive, under the supervision Of
Gen. Agramonte, the arms Of Asbert's
force.
Gen. Asbert, like other rebel COM
manders, is particularly anxious that
every man Of his Oomand lay down
his arms. The reason is that these
commanders aspire to and Expect to-
be monument factors In political con-
troll after the next election, and they
do not desire the presence OF large
bodies Of men who might rise against
them should they be permitted tore
tain their arms. Asbert's men will
begin to move in toward Guines Fri
day and the actual surrender Of arms
probably will take place on Saturday.
Gov. AlemAn telephoned Gov. Taft
Thursday afternoon that disarmament
In Santa Clara province was going on
steadily and quietly. Senior Aleman
has consented to remain as governor
Of the province.
The latest dispatch received by
Gov. Taft from Santiago says that
700 rebels at Santiago. Guantanamo
and Baracoa have laid down their
arms.
Government volunteers mustered
out Thursday afternoon 400 Of Pine
Guerra's men who had been sent into
Pinar del Rio from Santiago de Las
Vegas. The operation passed with
out incident.