Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-01-02
Several Thousand Guns
and Rifles Missing.
American Troops Thought Nee
essaTy to Preserve Peace.
Revolution Would Almost Certainly
Follow Withdrawal.

Jdll l-oINCidi
rifles and machine guns which were
landed recently in Pinar del Rio
province 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 COM
panics of the 9th u. S. Infantry from
Camp Columbia to Santa Clara, and
the holding of the 18th Cavalry ready
to march is due to arms being traced
there.
There is some doubt as to the source
and intent of the shipment. One theory
is that the arms We're bought in New
York by Messrs. Mendez. Capo.e.
Freyre, Andrade and F'riarS. depose1
moderate Office holders. who went there
Immediately after Pres. Palma's down.
fall their mission being popularity sup
posed to be to prepare for revolution
against the prospective new Liberal re-
public.
Another theory is that the arms were
purchased by the former Liberal junt;4
in New York and shipped too late to be
used il the last movement. l. lln tat
ter is true the arms are now in the pos
session OF negroes in the province,
most restless Of ALL
Tie cause OF the activity "c the Am
crican military authorities, which has
been as mysterious in IT, light Of GOV.
Ma gOon'S statement that there Mas no
fear of an uprising in Cuoa. j., thus ex-
planned and the reason tho Washington
officials imagined the situation grave
is made clear.
Prospects of clash between Cubans
and United States tro,,s arc remote.
Their relations are good. The natives
are now plotting against onn another
Disorders in Santa Clara are point ed
to by. Liberals as Indicating a possible
uprising of the people on the failure
to induce Gov. MagOon to turn out all
Moderltos and appoint tn, Liberal can
didatc 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 ne
gro bandits.
Liberals as a party are hungry for
office, but are on their good behavior
not to lose their main chance of get
tlIiS tI'ttioiiS OIucIeu. H. IloNSNCT.
the Americans do not hold the elections
within a reasonable time and with
draw completely, all the Liberals will
certainly take to the woods.
Meantime there is not likely to be
any serious friction with the provis-
ional government. which believes it
can preserve the general peace with
the aid of the Rural Guard.
Indications are that it Is going to
be harder and harder to repress dis
order arising from the growing bands
Of Matchmaking negroes who are row.
ing about burning canefields ard to-
bacco barns, rObbing estates and steal
ing cattle. This * the natural incii-
nation of the bulk of tho late constitp-
tional army. many of whom are wait
ing for office under the new republic
and will not work. These. it is assert
cd, are being encouraged in brigand-
age by MOdcratcS. to prOlonE the pres
Cncc Of Americans preventing the res
toration of public confidence. until
which time Pres. Roosevelt declares
elections will not be held.
Long pDstponcmenr OF elections is
therefore hoped for. with the incrcas-
ing probability Of the necessity of us
ing United States troops to maintain
order That revolution would follow
the withdrawal of the troops is regard
ed as certain.