New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-06
BATTLESHIPS GO TO CUBA
Four Sent to Guantanamo Fol.
lowing Landing of Marines.
From The Tribune Bureau. !

| Washington. June J.-Oflcals Of the
State and War Departments do rot be-
Ilieve actual intervention i'm Cuba will he
necessary to crush the negro revolution,
although there were several important
developments in the situation to-day,
following reports from consular sources
that the revolutionists were becoming
more dangerous to lives and property.
Four battleships-the Missouri the
Mississippi, the Minnesota and tho Ohio
Under command Of Rear Admiral Ma.
thaniel r. Usher, were ordered from Key
West to Guantanamo and sailed at once.
| The first order for 40 marines to land
at Guantanamo was also given early
this morning by Captain Kline, COM
roandant Of the naval station at Guam
tanamo. The marines will simply guard
rropertv and will not fight the negroes
unless It is necessary to protect Amerf-
can interests.
Frank confession OF President Gomez
that he was unable to meet the demands
of the large plantation owners for sde-
auate guards was the factor that led
Captain Kline to issue the order.
| Several of the large American. British.
French and Spanish companies operating
plantations and mines in Eastern Cuba
teIegraphed the Cuban government
through the alcalde of Guantanamo a
demand for one hundred regular troops
for each of their mills and fifty for each
Of their cane fields.
In reply President Gomez pointed out
that q compliance with their request
Uould require the use Of 1,2JO of his besL
troops for the protection Of one group'ot
foreign properties in a single section OF
the disaffected district. IL he accededan
such demand, he said his whole regular
army would not suffice for police Work
alone, and he would have no forces lett
with which to carry on the campaign
against the insurrectionists.
Meanwhile complaints multiplied, the
situation in Guantanamo was becoming
more alarming and the Guantanamo
Sugar Company had definite information
that the rebels intended TO destroy one
or more of the foreign estates there.
The manager of the Spanish American
Iron Company, having declined meet
ing with the rebel leader with one hun
dred followers near Cuero. was threat
ened with the destruction of all prop
ertv between that place and Juragua.c
To add TO all this the owners and rep
resentatives Of several Of the lars'
American properties near Guantanamo.
having failed in their application TO the
Cuban government, appealed directly 10
lCaptain Kline.
The gunboat Paducah about the same
time reported the situation at Santiago
as critical, which determined Captain
Kline to call on the Navy Department
for more marines
in one way the distribution Of the
American marines as plantation guards
will serve 10 test the real purpose OF the
Cuban government. 1t is calculated tina I
General Monteagudo's troops, being re-
lieved in large part from the Onerous
duty OF guarding plantations, will 10
longer have excuse for falling to move
on the nsurgent negroes.
orders are on the desk of Major Gen.
eral Leonard Wood, chief of staff, read
TO be sent at Il minutes notice, should
the President decide on Intervention.
Transports are in readiness at Savannah
and Newport News, and within five days
several regiments of infantry could hs
thrown into Cuba in accordance with
plans now ready to be put into opera
ton.
Several instances of white women be-
ing assaulted by negroes have been re-
ported, among the victims being the wife
land two daughters of former Governor.
This man and his son were tied with
, ropes and witnessed the attack BY tn"
negroes, the son being killed when trying
TO break away.
A request for more marines has been
received from the commander OF tho
, naval station at Santiago. Conditions
there are reported 10 be serious. In re-
Spouse to the requests the four battle
ships were sent TO the southern waters,
and it is expected they will take up po-
sitions at different ports for the moral
effect such an arrangement will have on
the rebels. Each warship has about 10
marines on board.
One reason for sending the battleshps
closer to the scene of the disturbance II
to improve the wireless communication.
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