Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-01-20
CUBA GROWS CALM
D|CEST|NG THREAT
President Gomez and His Rivals to
Meet to Discuss Note Of Warning
Sent by the United States.

Sent by the United States.
Washington, Jan 1s.--Having served
notice on President Gomex's govern
fment that the United States expected
Cuba to live up to her treaty engage
ments and maintain q republican form
OF government. the state department
now is awaiting developments.
Meanwhile all arrangements have
been made by tAe war department 90
that force If 5000 can. BE- dispatched
to Cuba on few hours notice. Troops
along the Atlantic coast have been
designated watch will be seat TO Cuba
in case it becomes necessary to oc-
cupy the island. Commanders have
been notified that they must DO pre-
pared to move their forces according
to plans drawn UP long ago. There Is
no expectation at the war department.
however. that such . move will be
necessary.
Uno6icial reports received from Har
vana were taken to indicate that the
Cuba government and people under
stand the purpose of the note present.
ed by Minister Beaupre. Word was re-
ceiyed that President Gomez will meet
the leaders OF all the political factions
for the purpose OF discussing the sit
uation. This step Is taken to indicate
that the note has already had a most
statutory effect in that 1t has resulted
in opposing leaders getting together
for at least a discussion of the situa'
ton.
The reasons for the presentation OF
the note were more fully explained at
the state department. AS was suggest
ed in the dispatches it was felt at the
department and at the White House
that fairness to Cuba demanded that
this government remind the Cuban
government of its responsibilities be-
| fore it was too late for any remedy,
| but American Intervention. 1t was con.
sidered that it would be more fair to
the Cubans to warn her of the seri-
| BUSINESS OF the situation from the
| American point of view in time to give
| President Gomez and his administra-
ton an opportunity to straighten mat
tiers out.
1t is well known at the state depart
ment that there is a very strong senti-
ment among the business men OF Cuba
in favor of the annexation of the ISL
and by the United States. 1t was made
most clear at the state department
| that no such proposal is contemplated
! in that quarter and that Intervention
| &c 4. Iaa ,t ia hni ~
! sired.
| The Washington administration Is
appraised that reign of graft exists
| in Cuba. The charges as to the per-
sons involved are almost unbelievable.
One of the things done Is the levy OF
port tax of 81 ton ostensibly Tor
harbor Improvements. Strange tales
are told OF the way this revenue is be-
ing distributed, rot for the benefit OF
the public but OF officials.
Americans who have returned from
Cuba lately declare the government Is
honeycombed with graft. The dissatis-
faction is intense.
Little reason seems to exist for this
country to try to uphold the Gomez
J government except 10 prevent uisoi
! der befoer the elections. The elections
are more than year ahead. 1t was
stated that they would occur in No
vember, 1913
1t is hoped in Washington that the
announcement OF this government
will prevent an outbreak of the Vet
Grams association for the time being
and will be used by the Gomez gov
eminent to bolster itself up until there
can be an election. But this is conjec-
tural. In any event grave trouble Is
expected when the elections occur.