St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1917-05-23

granted an interview to DAILY
CALIFORNIAN reporter. are of espe-
cial interest.
Mrs. Roger Williams Story
Mrs Roger Williams who, with her
son and daughter, Charles and Louise,
returned to ST. Johnsbury recently
from Cuba, discloses some interesting
facts upon the latest instruction IN
that country. Mrs. Williams believes
that people in America have no idea
of the real extent of the revolution
and the amount of damage done by
insurrectos.
Contrary to the general opinion that
the revolution is localized in one or
two provinces, Mrs. Williams gives the
information that it is general and
that no part of the island is entirely
free from the rebels torch. Ameri-
cans in Cuba in many cases nave had
narrow escapes with their lives, but
Mrs. Williams and her two children
were fortunate in living near the sea
coast where escape was a simple mat
ter.
She and the children had stayed
during the winter with Mr.. Williams,
who is a superintendent of an i'm
mense sugar plantation in Shaparra,
Oriente Province, Cuba. When the
revolution first started, February last
they did not leave the country as there
seemed to be no fear of danger in
their position.
The revolution, however, became
violent in Oriente province, and when
the Liberal rebels had come so close
as to burn part of the sugar farm
Mrs. Williams left hastily via Puerto
Padre.
The disouiet in Cuban political cir
cles dates back to the time when the
United States gave the Cubans self
government Before this time, when
Leonard A. Wood was governing the
country, all was we'll and the people
were thoroughly satisfied and pros
porous With the coming of self gov
eminent disquietude hogan and the
United States was forced on one oc-
casion to intervene and appoint Nc
Coon as governor while. the situation
was cleared.
The first. president of Cuba was Es-
trada Palma, who proved himself an
efficient man. A revolution was start
ed against him, however, by Miguel
Gomez. The United States interviewed,
on the side of the revolutionists, with
the result that Palma was ousted from
Office and Gomez made president, al
ter the temporary governorship OF
McGoon, who had been appointed by
President Taft.
Gomez regime was a turbulent one
for he with a politician named Zayz
robbed the people and grated to the
utmost extent possible.
To of
Conservative party Menocal was cleo
ted president and served his term OF
Office successfully. With the last cleo.
ton the present trouble started. Men
ocal1 was running for reelection back
ed by the Conservative party. while
the Liberals had Zayz for their can
didate.
November 16, 1916, election day
Menocai claimed reelection by q large
majority. The Liberals disputed thi:
and demanded that new vote be ia
ken. It was compromised that an
other vote be cast in one or two O.
the doubtful provinces. ZayZ doubt
ed Ntenocal's good faith in this agree
ment, and plot was set afoot to Kid
nap Menocal. This intrigue was dis
covered and frustrated.
Revolt began in the month of Feb
ruary Part of the army mutinie'
and the rebels, led by Gomez, institute
reign of terror in the western part o
the island. Much damage was caused
railroads burned and property des
troyed. The rebels were attacked an
dispersed by government forces an
Gomez captured. This victory put
damper on the revolution in tn
western part of Cuba.
The next revolutionary movemen
began when the troops in charge Q
Santiago under Captain Rigobert
Fernandez, mutinied and capture
that city, and all the defenses about i
. Insurrection once more became ger
eral in the island The civil popula
ton of Santiago suffered severel
The suffering was brought about o
the fact that the government nav.
consisting of two gunboats, blockade
the port. preventing any marin
movements. The food supply W;
entirely cut Off and starvation face
the people.
The situation became so bad TIL
the United States naval officer
charge at the port of Guantanamo r
quested Fernandez to evacuate Il
city so that the suffering might
alleviated.
Fernandez agreed to Withdraw h
troops and evacuated the city short
after. The government troops at on
occupied it and hailed the moveme
as victory.
Fighting still RACES throughout t
country and the condition of the i
habifants is appalling. Mrs. WilliaI
gave few instances wherein Amel
cans had narrowly escaped with tn.
lives. In one case the wife and t.