Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-01-18
VETERAN ORGANIZATION is
TRYING TO NULLIFY LAW
As Sponsor for the Stability of Government on
the Island, the Situation AS Now Reported
Causes Grave Concern to the ADJ
ministration at Washington

ably have good effect in calming the
exciting veteran agitation and in quiet
Ing political excitement.
President Gomez, when seen at the
palace tonight, said: II have only
recently received Secretary Knoxs note
| through the American minister. Mr..
| Beaupre. and have not yet made a re-
ply. but probably will do so to-mor
row. I am convinced that no occasion
has yet arisen for any intimation Of
intervention. believe that the Wash
ngton governments attitude Is basel
on an erroneous view of the conditions
in Cuba. arising from distorted and
greatly exaggerated reports from Hn-
vana"
When 1t was suggested that the action
of the administration at Washington
probably was based on reports from
Minister Bcaupre. the President replied
that he did not have the honor of know
ing the character of the minister's re-
ports. Continuing, he said:
PEACE RE1GNS IN CUBA.
Peace reigns throughout Cuba and
will continue to reign. am fully in
control of the situation. which does not
call for alarm, and I am abundantly
abb: to enforce the laws. applying not
only to persons in the military service.
but to all citizens
There are some persons whose con-
cept of patriotic duties apparently tends
TO lead them to opposition to or conflict
with the administration and the laws
l wish them to know that should they
persist in a course inimical to the peace
of the republic l know how. and have
at hand the means. to compel a revision
OF their views to what patriotism Is.
when | can no longer enforce the
laws and maintain perfect order, | am
ready TO resign the rens Of government
repeat. the American government will
find no excuse for Intervention"
Gen. Emilio Nunez. the former cover
nor of the province of Havana. who is
, president of the veterans association
said:
, Il absolutely refuse to believe the re-
port that the United States contemplates
Intervention because the veterans are re-
ported to have assumed an attitude Of
defiance to the Cuban government AMI
because army officers attended our meet
ings. contrary to the military regulations
and presidential orders. We have broken
no laws. nor have we placed ourselve,
as body in hostility to the government
THE veterans association is not a
political organization. as evidenced by
the membership. representing all political
parties. The association exists solely for
the purpose OF purifying the civil service
and of excluding all former traitors to the
cause of Cuban independence. Wherefore
{ we hold that all veteran military officers
have "A perfect right to attend our
y patriotic meetings
WILL HAVE TO FIGHT US"
/ III the United States intervenes under
I present conditions when no necessity
e exists to avoid disorder or restore order
y then Cuba would be stripped Of every
c. vestige Of independence. If this cond!.
4 ton Is forced on US. the United States
y will have to fight us. and the struggle
= for independence will not cease while q
Cuban is left alive to defend the father
e land"
e After giving the subject further consid.
I Grafton. General Nunez said that he was
I now convinced that the ntimation of pos.
sible Intervention was true but for the
o present he had no comment to make. ex-
cept to reiterate his previous remarks.
Many conservative veterans to-ngh,
, American intervention saying that he
would speedily find himself without fol-
, lowers. Some OF the veteran. regarded
, the intimation of Intervention as merely
, a hint. which would be useful in restor.
ing confidence. Others frankly declared
9 that the general conditions Throughout,
the country and the widespread lack OF
confidence, to the great detrment Of bust,
, that some remedy was imperative: ever
intervention was preferable to existing
conditions and threatening future.
VETERANS BADLY DIVIDED.
1t Is now evident that the veterans
= are badly split up. The adherents OF
u General Nunez have lost much infu'
i ence by the detection Of the conserva
tive elements, and 1t is probable tina
= this will relieve the government OF
u much embarrassment.
, According to General Nunez the &C
= tlon of the Houie of Representatives /,
. attacking General Monteagudo. com
mander In chief OF the armed forces
;, and the army officers Is poli.ica
4 trick instigated by Alfredo Zayas, tn
4 vice. president OF tho republic, an,
Pine Guerra. the former commando
OF the army, for the purpose OF dis
crediting the veteran organization.
D There is no doubt that Presiden
Gomez will proceed vigorously to Ell
force his orders prohibiting attendauc
OF officers at the veterans meetings. .
meeting of the veterans tonight. whic
Of failed to decide upon a policy. wa
I'd marked by the entire absence Of arm
b. officers
4. HOLD LONG CABINET MEETING.
~ A protracted cabinet meeting was he'll
Tonight and 1t was decided that tn
:" President should summon tomorrow
IS conference Of the leaders Of all politics
- parties and the veteran organise tons I
y. agree. II possible, on n course OF actor
ed Apparently this Ia preliminary to tn
r. preparation of a reply to the Knox not
ID. At council OF the veterans associs
no ton tonight II was resolved to petitio
b. President Gomez to rescind the 0rde