The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-06
Second Squadron of Atlantic Fleet Leaves Key West
 for Guantanamo
THE SITUATION Is
 DECIDEDLY TENSE
Suppression of Revolt May Become International Duty if Cuba De- lays Longer-Terrible Atro-
 cities Reported


 Washington, June 5.--Frank confession of President Gomez that he was unable to meet the demands of the large plan- tation owners in eastern Cuba for ade- quate guards against the marauders and instructors, was the factor that today prompted Captain Kline, commanding tas United States naval station at Guantana- mo to dispatch nearly half of his avail able force of marines into the interior of Cuba. His action gave the signal for the departure from Key West to Guantanamo of half of the second squad- ron of the Atlantic fleet, which had been lying at anchor at Key West for tho last week.
 Gomez Helpless
 The facts. as disclosed at the state department, are that several of the large American, British. French and Spanish companies operating plantations and mines in eastern Cuba, telegraphed tho Cuban government, through the alcalde of Guantanamo, a demand for 300 reg ular troops for each of their mills and 50 for each of their cane fields. In reply President Gomez pointed out that com plianee with their request would require the use of 125O of his best troops for the protection of one group of foreign prop critics in a single section of the disaf- fected district. If he aeoeded to such demand he said his whole regular army would not suffice for police work alone and he would have no forces left 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 1 ing with a rebel leader with 100 followers. near cuero, was threatened with the de- struetion of all property between that hplace and Juragua.
 To add to all this. the owners and rep- resentatives of several of the large Amer lean properties near Guantanamo having failed in their application to the Cuban government appealed directly to Captain Kline.
 Situation Justifies Action
 Captain Kline judging that the gravity of the situation demanded the use of American guards. this morning sent iao of his marines from the naval station by boat up Guantanamo bay to land ing place near Caimanera. the terminus of the railway running up to the city of Guantanamo. l5 miles inland.
 The gunboat Padueah about the same time reported the situation at Santiago as critical which determined Captain Taline to call upon the navy department for more marines Accordingly Admiral Osterlaus promptly dispatched from Key west 10 Guantanamo the Fourth division of the Atlantic fleet, comprising the battleships Ohio, Missouri, Mississippi and Minnesota. They are under command of Rear Ad- mral Usher, who by virtue of his su- pcrior rank will assume command at Guantanamo when he arrives there Fri- day morning.
 Admiral Usher can easily land 1900 ma rines and blue jackets, which force, with the marines and sailors available for land- ing parties, would make formidable lit- tie army of about 3oo0 men, If this force is not sufficient Admiral Osterhaus' re- naining four vessels may be called upon for further levies. For the present 1t is tie policy of the state department to
 
 Key West to guard against any uprising in Havana.
 To Test Cuba's Purpose
 In one way the distribution of the American marines plantation guards will serve to test the real purpose of the Cuban government It is calculated that General Monteagudos troops being re- lieved in large part from the onerous duty of guarding plantations, will no longer have excuse for failing to move immedi- ately and relentlessly upon the insurgent negroes.
 There is grave intimation In recent trag- edies that this may become an nterna- tional duty if the Cuban government lonsA CT delays action. Minister Beaupre to- day reported case of horrible atrocity which occurred yesterday near Savlga, in Orlente which is believed to be only one of many similar cases. His information derived directly from the Cuban secretary of state was to the effect that a band of negroes entered the house of former 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 endeavoring to break his J bonds and rescue his mother and sister | The army continues to rather hungrily watch the unfolding of events in Cuba l Living on General Woods desk are the messages. which, if released, would send an army division into Cuba within week or 11 days. But that situation has existed | for three months, and is only illustrative ! of careful preparation that has been done by the general staff.
 Gomez Explains 1 uevana luna b-Presldent Gomez in a