The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-06-08
ANARCHY IN CUBA,
AMERICA SENDS MARINES IN
LAND-FOREIGNE ASK
PROTECTION.
This Request, With GOmeZ's COnfcs.
sion That He Can't Spare Troops.
Leads TO Quick Action.

fession of President Gomez that he
was unable to meet the demands Of
the large plantation owners in East
ern Cuba for adequate guards against
the marauders and insurrectors was
the factor that today prompted Cap
tain Kline. commanding the United
States naval station at Guantanamo,
to dispatch nearly half his available
force Of marines into the interior of
Cuba. His action gave the signal for
the departure from Key West to
guantanamo of half the second squad
ron Of the Atlantic fleet, which had
been lying at anchor at Key West for
the last week.
The facts, as disclosed at the State
department. are that several of the
large American, British, French and
Spanish companies operating planta-
tions and mines in eastern Cuba tele-
graphed the Cuban government,
through the alcade of Guantanamo
demand for 100 regular troops for
each of their mills and SO for each
OF their cane fields. In reply Presi-
dent Gomez pointed out that a COM
pliance with their request would re-
quire the use of 1850 Of his best
troops and he could not spare them.
Meanwhile complaints multiplied,
the situation in Guantanamo was be-
coming more alarming and the Guam
tanamo Sugar company had definite
information that the rebels intended
to destroy one or more Of the foreign
estates there.
The manager Of the Spanish-Ameri-
can Iron company, near Cuero, was
threatened with destruction Of all
property between that place and
Juragua.
To add to all this, the owners and
representatives Of several Of the large
american properties near Gua..tana-
mo, having failed in their application
to the Cuban government, appealed
directly to Captain Kline.
Captain Kline. judging that the
gravity Of the situation demanded the
use of American guards. this morning
sent 45O Of his marines from the ma
val station by boat up Guantanamo
bay to landing place near Caiman-
era, the terminus Of the railway run
ming up to the city of Guantanamo.
IA miles inland
The gunboat Paducah. about the
same time reported the situation at
Santiago as critical. which determined
Capt. Kline to call upon the navy de-
partnent FOR more marines. Accord
ingly Admiral Osterhaus promptly
dispatched from Key West to Guam
tanamo the Fourth division of the
Atlantic fleet. comprising the battle
ships Ohio, Missouri, Mississippi and
Minnesota. They are under COM
mand of Rear Admiral Usher who by
virtue Of his superior rank will as
sumo command at Guantanamo when
he arrives there Friday morning.
Admiral Usher can easily land L.
200 marines and bluejackets, which,
with the marines and sailors avail
able for landing parties, would make
formidable little army of about g.
600 men.
If this force is not sufficient Ad-
miral Osterhaus' remaining four ves-
sells may be called upon for further
levies. For the present 1t is the policy
of the state department to maintain
the Third division Of the fleet at Key
West to guard against any uprising at
Habana. Any way the distribution of
the American marines as plantation
guards will serve 10 test the real pur-
pose OF the government. 1t is calcu-
lated that Gen. Monteaguedo's troops.
being relieved in large part from the
VIII no longer have excuse for fail
ing 10 move Immediately and relent-
lessly upon the insurgcnt negroes.
There is grave intimation in recent
tragedies that this may become an
international duty if the Cuban gov
ernln"nt longer delays action. Min
lSter H"nupr" today reported hor-
rihle atroCitY which occurred ycstcr-
day near Saviga i'm Oricntc, which is
believed To be- only one of many sim
liar cases. lis Information, derived
directly from the Cuban secretary of
state, was to the effect that Il band of
ncgrocs had entered house of a
Farmer of prominence. tied him and
L.