Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-05-27
TAF 7 SAYS He WILL
NO7 IN TERVENE.
Sends Message to Gomez TO That
ffect---WiIl Only Protect Amer
ican Interests.
READY FOR EVENTUALETIES
President Gomez Must Show Greater
Ability to Cope with Negro lnsur-
rcction in Island.

Elizabeth, N. j., May 27.-Prcsidcnt
Taft today sent message to Presi-
dent Gomez, of Cuba assuring him
that the United States would not in
tcrvcne in Cuba.
In his message to the Cuban exec
utive the president says that the send
ing of American marines to Cuba at
this time is for the purpose of pro-
tecting American interests only.
Washington, May 27.-President
Gomez protest against American in
telventon in Cuba will have no effect
ON preparations Of the U. S. Army
and Navy to land an eXpeditionary
force in the island if conditions there
do not rapidly improve and if Gomez
does not show signs of greater ability
to cope with the negro marauders
than he has heretofore shown. This
is the opinion of prominent Govern
ment officials here who also believe
GomcZ's protest lis largely de-
signed for political effect. 1t is point
ed out that there is a large clement
among the followers who strongly re-
sent American Interference in Cuban
affairs and who from the stump and
the press are always preaching doc
trine of absolute independence. Every
time there is prospect Of American
interference these followers Of Gomez
make great noise about standing
firm for the freedom of the island.
II is therefore thought that the pro-
test was gotten out to assure these
followers that the Cuban president is
in no way in sympathy with a move
ment to turn the republic over to AM
eriCan rule.
The fact that the Cuban minister
of foreign affairs has sent kilograms
through American Minister Beaupre
thanking this government for sending
marines to Guantanamo to help in 4
friendly way in putting down the rev.
olution is taken as 4 confirmation Of
the theory that the Gomez protest is
only 4 bit Of play.
That Gomez is doing his best to
head off rebellion is not doubted here.
This government has never shown any
tendancy to doubt the sincerity Of his
purpose, but it is questioned whether
with his forces badly scattered and
unable to conduct a strong conccn-
tratcd movement against the rebels,
he will be unable to restore peace in
ahc island before large amount of
damage is done to American proper
ty.
The most serious conditions are be-
lieved to prevail in the province Of
Oriente in the eastern end of Cuba.
There at least $30,000,000 worth Of
American property in the vicinity
of Nipe Bay is now at the mercy of
negro rebel bands and the only pro-
lection in sight is the gun boat Padu-
cab which was ordered to that point
on Saturday.
1t is believed here that President
Taft will give little or no personal at
tcntion to the Cuban situation until
he returns to Washington on Wednes-
day. Meanwhile Secretary Knox will
be left to deal with affairs in his own
way. Secretary Knox and officials of
the State Department, it is said, are
extremely dubious as to Gomez's alb
ility to straighten out the islands af-
fairs. With national bankruptcy
staring him in the face of the revolt
is not put down within two weeks, the
Cuban Presidents situation is thought
to be most alarming.