The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-01-19
~ department Notifies Cuba
That Army Must Leave
Politics Alone.
ATLANTIC FLEET READY
To ENVElOp ISLAND
Unexpected American Action Gre
ates Intense Excitement at
Cuban Capital.

Washington, Jan. 1.-THE state de-
partment has served notice on Presi-
dent Gomez that the United States
will intervene in Cuba if further at
tempts are made by the veteran or
ganization to nullify the law prohibit
ing the interference of the military in
political affairs in Cuba
The attitude of the United States Is
shown in the following note presented
to the Cuban government: &s
"The situation in Cuba as now re
ported causes grave concern to the
government of the United States.
"That the laws intended to safe
guard free republican government
shall be enforced and not defied is
ance of the law, order and stability
indispensable to the status of the re-
public of Cuba, in the continued well
lbeing of which the United States has
always evinced and cannot escape
vital interest.
THE president of the United States
therefore looks to the president and
government of Cuba to prevent the
threatened situation, which would
compel the government of the United
States, much against it's desires, to
consider what measures 1t must take
in pursuance of the obligations of its
relations to Cuba"
The state department has concluded
that the time has come to serve warn
ing that for the second land perhaps
the last, time. the United States fs
prepared to-intervene in Cuba II neces.
sary.
The officials here entertain no doubt
whatever as to the result of this note
of warning. President Gomez will en-
force his decree against the participa-
ton of the military in politics. If not,
it may be expected that within a short
time the American flag again will be
hoisted over the government house in
Havana.
Atlantic Fleet In Readiness.
The general staff long has had plans
prepared for just such maneuyer as
this. Practically the whole Atlantic
fleet, which is now based on Guam
tanamo on the south side of the island.
would spread out and envelop Cuba so
completely that there could not be
thought of successful armed resistance.
The notification of the American
government was served upon Presi,
dent Gomez through American Minis
ter Beaupre at Havana. Senior Mar
tin-Rivero, Cuban minister to the
United States, was unapprised of the
action except through the press and
declined to comment upon it. He at
tended the diplomatic dinner at the
White House, where he met Secretary
of State Knox, as well as President
Taft, but before leaving the legation
he said he did not expect to discuss
the matter even informally with
either.
1t was on reports of American Min
lister Beaupre that the note was based.
Minister Beaupre reported from Ha-
vana that in defiance of decree is
sued by President Gomez forbidding
officers of the army and rural guard
to participate in politics, which also
is prohibited by military law, many
army officers and rurales attended a
meeting Sunday night at the National
Council of Veterans, an organization
of veterans of the Cuban war for in
dependence.
The veterans have been active in the
past three months in attempting to
have displaced from the civil service
persons who sympathized with the
Spanish cause in the rebellion.
1t is evident to the state department
that President Gomez was practically
powerless to resist the movements un-
less he receives substantial support
from the outIde.