The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-06-06
Gomez Fra ky Con-
fesses Inability to Guard
Against Rebels.
FOUR WARSHIPS
LEAVE KEY WEST
With Their Arrival in Cuban
Waters, This Government Will
Have Army of 5000 Men
With Which to Protect
American Lives and
Property.

Washington. June Crank con-
fession Of President Gomez that no
was unable TO meet the demands OF
the large plantation owners in East
ern Cuba for adequate guards against
the marauders and insuErectos. was
tho factor that to-day led Captain
Kline, commanding the United States
naval station q Guantanamo, TO set in
motion the body of United States
marines gathered there for just sucn
purpose
Captain Kiine's action In dispatch
ing nearly half OF his available force
gave the signal for the departure
from Key West to Guantanamo of half
Of the second squadron OF the Allan
tic 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 tho
large American. British. French and
Spanish companies operating plantt-
lions and mines in Eastern Cuba tele-
grapheG the Cuban government.
through the Alcade of Guantanamo. a
demand for 100 regular troops for
each OF their mills and nifty for each
OF their cane fields. In reply Presi-
dent Gomez pointed out that com
pliance with their request would re-
quire the use OF 1850 OF his best
troops for the protection of one group
OF foreign properties in single sec
tion OF the die2ffected district. II he
accedcd 70 such demands. he said.
his whole army would not suffice for
police work alone. and he would have
no forces left with which to carry on
the campaign against the insurrection-
lists.
situation IL Alarming.
Meanwhile complaints multiplied,
the situation in Guantanamo was be-
coming more alarming and the
Guantanamo sugar Company had de-
finite information that the rebels in
tended TO destroy one or more OF the
foreign estates there. The manager
OF the Spenish-American Iron Com
pany. having declined a meeting with
a rebel leader with 100 followers near
cuero. was threatened with the de-
stvuc,on OF all property between that
place and Juvagua.
To add TO al! this. tho owners and
representatives az several Of the large
American properties near Guantanamo.
having failed IN their application to
the Cuban goy@rnmant. appealed d.
rsctly 20 Captain Kline.
Captain Kline, Judging that the grav-
fly o. the situation denla nd.ed tire use
Of American guards. this morning sent
$50 OF his marines from the naval sta
ton by boat up Guantanamo Bay 10
landing place near Caimansra. the ter
minus of TN. railway running up to
the city OF Guantanamo. ffhzan miles
Inland.
The gunboat Paducah about the
same time reported the situation at
Santiago as critical. which determined
Captain Ktna to call upon the Navy
Department FOR more MARINES. Ac-
cordinsly Admiral Osterhaiis promptly
dispatched from KY West to Guam
tanamo the fourth division OF the At
iantic fleet. comprising ttls battieships
Ohio Missouri. Mississippi and Mime
sofa They ere under command OF
Rear-Admiral Usher. who, by virtue of
his superior rank. Will assume COM
nland q Guantanamo when he arrives
thsre Friday morning. Admiral Usher
can easily land 1900 marines and blue
Jackets. which force. with the marines
and sailors available for landing par
ties would make n forn'dable Nttie
army of about 1000 men. II this force
is not sufficient Admiral Ostsrhaus's
remaining four vessels may ht= called
upon for further lavies. For the pres
cnt ii is the policy of the State De-
sion of the fleet at Key West TO guard
against any uprising in Havana.
In one way the distribution OF the
American marines as plantation guards
will serve TO test TIE real purpose of
the Cuban government. 1t is calculat-
ed ttplt General MOnteagudo's troops.
being relieved in large part from the
onerous duty Of guarding plantations,
will no longer have excuse for failing
H.
upon the insurgent negroes.
Atrocities Committed.
There Is grave intimation from re-
cent tragedies that this may become
an international duty IL the Cuban gov
eminent longer delays action. Minis
ter Beaupre to-day reported n case of
horrible atrocity, which occurred yes
terday 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 a former
white official of prominence, tied him
and his son and outraged his wife and
two young daughters before his eyc,
The son was killed in cold blood while
trying to break his bonds to protect
his mother and sisters.
The army continues to watch the ur-
folding of events In Cuba. Lying on
General Woods desk are the messages
which, II released, would send an army
division into Cuba within n week or
ten days. But that situation has exist
ed for three months. and is only illus
trative of careful preparation that has
been done by the general staff
Excitement In Capital.
Havana. June 5.-Amerioan marines
have landed on Cuban soil to the num-
Der of $50. under command OF Colonel