The Washington herald., 1907-04-05

Havana, April 4-Sooner or later the
American government viii meet with pres
sure from abroad regarding the Cuban sit
uation The French Minister here mas in
formed his government that there win be
no certainty of protection Of property if
the republic is re-establlshed and the Gu
bans are placed in control. The pro-
visionaI government officials are not in
accord with this view French interests
in Cuba are quite large, and what France
thinks may have considerable effect.
1t is further learned that certain pow
erful British iE .erests recently asked the
foreign Office in London to request per
mission from the United States TO station
three British war ships IN Cuban waters
when the Americans leave. Great Britain,
however, is not likely to make any such
embarrassing request. because the answer
probably will be that America is able to
attend to her own affairs and. being re-
sponsibie for Cubas conduct. she would
preserve order and protect property as at
present. However. these two instances
show the feeling Of disquletude. Il is Ger
tain that the Americans Will remain here
until the summer Of 1908
waiting for Taft.
Politicians and business interests hope
| for a declaration of policy by Secretary
of War Taft when he arrives here from
Colon. and there is tremendous interest in
his visit. He Is expected TO arrive sun
day. Many think that the United States
will abandon the policy Of re-establishing
the government and getting out, but this
is very unlikely. because a different out
line was made last year about the future
/ Of the island. It is more than probable
that the occupation viii be continued in
definitely
A proposition is now being considered
/ Of taking a census. The advisory COM
mission, consisting Of representatives Of
all the parties, is unanimously agreed
upon. This would merely mean a delay
/ of several months before the elections.
and the census would determine the basis
/ Of registration. Then the minor elections
could be held. followed by the Presidential
/ election.
About ten days ago a party Of Liberal
/ leaders. all being generals of the late con
/ stitutional army. went 90 the eastern part
of the island on campaign of harmony,
/ eHdeayO-ing 10 bring together the Liberal
factions headed by Alfredo Zayas and
/ Jose Miguel Gomez
Convention Ends ia Fight.
! The mission terminated last night with
/ provisional convention at Santiago de
| Cuba, which ended in a fight. despite the
/ fact that harmony was the wstehword,
and tue police were compelled to inter
/ fere Instead OF preaching harmony the
speakers all eulogized their own favorites.
! Gen. Orestes Ferrera. one of the many
! heroes OF the late war, nominated Jose
1 Miguel Gomez, and declared that unless
he became president there would be no
! peace in Cuba. Then some one suggested
that no action be taken by the conven-
/ ton. whereupon the partisans started q
sight which the police stopped
The efficiency Of the observatory OF
! Belen College. the famous Jesuit institu-
/ ton, which has a worldwide reputation
for its prediction work has been ruined
/ by electrical currents from the street car
/ lines recently established. Every time a
I ear moves it causes discharge Of cleo
I tricity which seriously affects the mag
netic Instruments. After prolonged but
1 unsuccessful appeals TO the railway COM
pany. the Jesuits have appealed to Gov
/ Afagoou for relief. It will be recalled
/ lhat last fall the observatory predicted
/ the great hurricane. which resulted IN
/ the saving of millions Of dollars worth
Of property The institution was estab-
! lsbed in 1858