The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-06-07
u. S. MARINES ARE
RUSHED INTO CUBA
GOMEZ ADMITS INABILITY TO
PROTECT FOREIGNERS.
Four BattIeships Leave Hey West for
Observation-Disclosures to
Guard Plantations.

Cuba for adequate guards against the
marauders and insurrectos, was the
factor that today prompted Capt Kline,
commanding. the United States naval
station at Guantanamo, to dispatch
nearly half of his available force of
marines into the interior Of Cuba. His
action gave the signal for the depar-
ture from Key West to Guantanamo
of half of the second squadron 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, a
demand for 100 regular troops for
each of their mills and fifty for each
of their cane fields. In reply Presi-
dent Gomez pointed out that a COM
pliance would require the use of 1880
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.
Capt. Kline, judging that the gravity
of the situation demanded the use of
American guards, this morning sent
| $50 of his marines from the naval sta
ton by boat up Guantanamo Bay to
landing place near Caimanera, the
terminus of the railway running up to
the city of Guantanamo, fifteen miles
inland.
The gur.boat Paducah, about the
same time, reported the situation at
Santiago as critical, which determined
Capt. Kline to call upon the navy de-
partment for more marines. Accord
iingly, Admiral Osterhaus promptly
dispatched from Key West to Guam
tanamo the fourth division of the At
lantic feet, comprising the battleships
Ohio, Missouri, Mississippi and Min
nesota. They are under comand of
Rear Admiral Usher, who, by virtue
of his superior rank, will assume COM
mand at Guantanamo, when he arrives
there Friday morning.
Admiral Usher can easily land 1,2OO
marines and blue jackets, which force,
with the marines and sailors available
for landing parties would make for
midable little army of about 5000 men.
If this force is not sufficient, Admiral
Osterhaus's remaining four vessels
may be called upon for further levies.
For the present it is the policy of the
State department to maintain the third
division of the feet at Key West to
guard against any uprising in Havana.
Free to Pursue Rebels.
In one way the distribution Of the
American marines as plantation
guards will serve to test the real pur-
pose of the Cuban government. 1t is
calculated that Gen. Monteagudo's
troops, being relieved in large part
from the onerous duty of guarding
plantations, will no longer have ex-
cuse for failing to move Immediately
and relentlessly upon the insurgent
negroes.
There is grave intimation in recent
tragedies that this may boone an in
| leIudLlOldl uuly IL luS CuUdu SOfSI II
mnt longer delays action. Minister
Beaupre today reported case of hor-
r1ble atrocity which occurred yester-
day near Saviga, in Oriente, which is
believed to be only one of many SIM
liar cases.
His information, derived directly
from the Cuban secretary of state, was
to the effect that band of negroes
entered the house of formr white
official of prominence, tied him and
his son and outraged his wife and two
young daughters before his eyes. The
son was killed in cold blood while en-
deavoring to break his bonds and res
cue his mother and sisters.
The army continues to rather hun