Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-06
GOMEZ IS PLEASED
Sending of American Marines
to Cuba Approved.
PROTECTION OF PROPERTY
President of Republic Enabled to
Increase His Field Force.
SHIPS IN GUANTANAMO BAY
Total of Over $500 B1uejackets
Available for Service in
the Island.
SHIPS IN GUANTANAMO BAY


President Gomez has informed the
State Department through American Min
lister Beaupre that he is forming volun-
teer guard to be used for the protection
of property. To that end he asks that
his requisition on this government for
Krag-Jorgensen rifles be increased from
5000 to 10000 and that 2.O00OoO cart
ridges accompany them. He intends to
begs that every effort be made to facili-
tate quick delivery.
President Gomez explained that he
hopes by forming this volunteer guard
to relieve the regulars from guarding
the properties and enable them to pursue
the insurgents.
dood Results Anticipated.
The dspatching of American marines to
the plantations and foreign-owned prop
critics in the vicinity of Guantanamo City
and the sailing of four big battleships
from Key West for the United States ma
val station on Guantanamo bay are ex-
pected to have good results. Whether
the arrival of the marines on the plan
tation and the battleshipS at Guantanamo
will be the signal for the insurgents to
call a halt in their movement however,
is a matter of conjecture. There is a
strong belief among those familiar with
Cuban revolutions that the presence of
the big United States fighting craft in
Cuban waters will have good moral ef-
feet in putting down the rebellion.
With four American battleships steam
ing toward Guantanamo the force of ma
rines Immediately available for the pro-
lection of foreign life and property in
Cuba is increased to more than 1.j0O.
Altogether the battleships Minnesota,
Missouri Mississippi and Ohio-the fourth
division of the Atlantic fieet-which put
out from Key West late yesterday under
command of Rear Admiral Usher, have
on board nearly 500 marines. These
ships should arrive at Guantanamo prob
ably some time tomorrow.
Prairie Adds to Quota.
The cruiser Prairie, which already has
landed $50 under command Of Col. Lucas,
has about $50 more on board. The four
battleships OF the third division Of the
Atlantic fleet still at Key West with Rear
Admiral Osterhaus on the flagship Wash
ington. have nearly LOCO more marines
which could be moved to Cuba in little
more than a day if the situation should
demand. Roughly, this places the num-
Der of marines Immediately available at
about / 800 and the reserve force at Key
West at Loco
all the ships. which, however, would only
be landed in the most pressing emergency.
easily would swell the total American
force available to more than $500
AS President Gomez indicated in his
statement last night the assumption by
the American marines of responsibility
for the safety of the foreign properties
in Oriente will relieve Gen. Monteagudo's S
army OF the most onerous portion of its
work and VIII enable that officer to begin
almost Immediately an organized cam
pa.gn in force against the marauding
bands of negro insurrectos.
1t is estimated that LOCO American ma
rines would be equivalent to five times
that number of Cuban regular soldiers.
Purpose of the Movement.
The State Department fully confirms
President Gomez's declaration regarding
the non-political nature of the American
naval movement. 1t is intended solely to
guard the foreign-owned plantations and
mines at points where the Cuban govern
ment forces cannot extend protection,
and in that respect the status of the
American marines is precisely the same
as those which have frequently been
landed in the republics of Central Ameri-
ca and the West Indies in time of revOlu-
ton, without the slightest idea OF being
retained there after order is restored.
Meyer Asks for $65, ,OOO.
An emergency appropriation of S6o.COo
for the expenses of the marine expedition
to Cuba was asked of Congress today by
the Secretary of the Navy. Mr.. Meyer
described the movement IAN expedi-
tionary force of marines for tropical field
duty
Secretary Meyers request for additional
funds was transmitted to the House by
Secretary of the Treasury MacVeagh.
Inclosed was a letter from Maj. Gen. w.
=. Biddle commanding general of ma
rines, describing the necessity for more
money to equip the marines VIII oahe
been dispatched 70 southern waters and
to Cuban stations.
The 2.035 enlisted men and 60 officers
answered an emergency CALL according to
Gen. Biddle. The equipment of the Ma
rine Corps was insufficient to arm the
men properly.
Gen. Biddle reported that sixty days
rations have been furnished the marines
avnd that there was needed $4,000 for
ammunition and arms, $4,000 for trans
portation and $4,000 for miscellaneous
supplies.
Gen. Biddle said an added tax on the
| existing funds for the marine service was
imposed by the transfer of marines from
the Pacific coast stations to replace those
who have gone south from the Atlantic
seaboard.