The sun., 1908-04-14
PNO GUERRA IS GENERAL NOW
CUBAN TROUBLE MAKER At TIE
HEAD or THE ARMY.
Only 500 ArtlllsFymen 70 Begin With, but
He VIII BE . Great Political Power
-POsalblo Clash With Rural Guard
brought Threatens Famine IN Pinar.
.sDseia cGSt Ds'p0icA 10 TIE sun.


-POSslblo Clash With Rural Guar
Drought Threatens Famine IN Pinhr
.Spseia cabs Ds'paicA 10 TEE sun.
HAVANA April lS.-Major-Gen Pin,
Guerra, the leader who did more than AM
one else 10 make successful the revolution
Of 1903, assumed command Of the regular
military forces Of Cuba this morning al
the Cabanas Fortress. where the artillery
companies we're reviewed and inspected
The regular army now consists Of about
five hundred artillerymen only. Ultimately
It will number several thousand men. The
Rural Guard. under Gen. Rodriguez, will
remain q separate command,
Gen. Guerra's appointment has been the
principal topic Of conversation since It Wal
announced fortnight ago. II seems that
Gov. Magoon, who is solely responsible
for the appointment. aooomplishes master
stroke by giving the most expert revolu-
ZIONIST in the island fine 20 900 Job. although
many condemn the step. declaring that
it in PRODUCES a most dangerous element
into the situation which is really unneoes-
sary
Gen. Guerra declares that he will have
absolutely nothing TO do with politics now,
being solely soldier yet II is generally
accepted that he is a Zayista. and as he
controls many military appointments this
will he great thing for that faction Of the
Liberal party, The election OF Zayas to
the Presidency now seems to be assured.
Guerra will become a powerful political
factor unless he displays more neutrality
than most people expect. but he recently
declined a big banquet on the ground that
it would be political.
Il is the intention of the America adj
ministration not TO increa SO the regular
army for several months, probably not
until the republic is reestablshed Those
opposing Guerra's appointment say there
will be constant discord bet tween the Rurales
and the regular army, thus creating a very
undesirable situation. particularly in the
event Of future revolution, when the two
forces may be pitted against each other
The Rural Guard was organized under
President Palma, and the sentiment Of the
body ia distinctly Moderate. although some
Of its officers are Liberals These will
undoubtedly try to join the regular army,
which will he Liberal Government officials
supporting GueTa's appointment say he
will conscientously serve the Government,
whoever may be elected, because le is
honest He will not want to throw up
good position, and being Cubl's neryIest
soldier he will put down the slightest up
rising
Further Government investigation shows
that the condition Of several thousand
people in the southwestern part of the
province Of Pinar del Rio il very serious
on account of the drought II il does not
rain shortly much starvation will result.
The Government is considering relief
measures, including the further construc-
ton Of a road, which Gov Magoon ordered
several weeks ago, involving the pre-
liminary expenditure Of $4,000
The Department Of Public Works is con-
sidering bids for the construction Of about
sixty miles Of road from San Cristobal to
the town Of Pinar del Rio which it ia
required shall be completed by November I.
This is admittedly a very short time for
the work The new road Ia part Of
strategical plan 1t will make possible the
rapid transportation Of troops