The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-06-08


their political status, are permitted to hold
property, real and personal, subject to the
laws of the land regarding tlxation and
descent. During the past twenty years cir
cumstances of a political nature in some
instances and of a commercial character in
others, have induced many Cubans, holding
originally natural allegiance to Spain, to emf
crate to the United States and acquire citizen
ship here, abiuring all other allegiance. bus
ut the same time retaining their property in
Cuba in whole or in part. Under our political
theories every man has the right TO choose his
allegiance, and Spain has never denied the
right of expatriation to its subjects It has
frequently been the practice of these Cuban
emigrants to pass equal portions of the year
approximately in the two countries, return
ing to Cuba on the approach of winter. but
always carefully procuring passports setting
forth their American citizenship
The case of Senior Casanova is of this latter
class. Long before the appearance of the
present political troubles in Cuba he came to
this country and acquired the rights of citi-
zenship. He purchased property in the
vicinity of New York, where his daughter
resides permanently; several of his sons he
established in business in this city, while
others remained in Cuba experimenting the
large agricultural operations of the family
His own time he divided between New York
and Cuba, the sons carrying on large CONNER
cial as well as agricultural transactions
Taking no part in the political questions of
the day, Senior Casanova supposed that his
person and his property would both be safe,
and with all the confidence of an innocent
man he pursued his daily avocations Sud
denly and without accusation of any kind
military searches were commenced on his
plantation, and continued until the labors
were entirely broken up; his son was impri-
Cnnp1 Havana. e1Ir,n of
which those in business in New York had in
bank in Cuba to meet commercial operations,
were SeiZed the business of their house was
destroyed, and the father was finally cast into
prison. Without hearing and without trial
he was liberated as silently as he had been
seized; but nothing of value was returned to
him, and he is left to seek justice through the
slow and hopeless process of a claim through
the Government.
We give these particulars because they pre-
sent a clear view of the evils that await thou
sands of our fellow-citizens in Cuba to-day.
Nothing but the prompt and firm action of
the Government can save them. The treaty
of 1895 with Spain is the only treaty we have
with that power that bears upon the question:
but the provisions of that treaty are ample, if
| the Government enfOrces respect for them.
In past cases it has been the practice of Spain
to evade the stipulations which provide that
against him, and be confronted with the wit
nesses, and have the right of counsel, by
claiming that it never was the intention to
| grant to foreigners rights which are denied to
| Spanish subjects. But this pretext is fall
lacy, for treaty negotiated, ratified, and ex-
changed between two powers becomes the
supreme law in the dominions of each.
1t becomes, therefore, the duty of the Sc
cretary of State to press upon the Spanish
Government our view of the sacred character
of American citizenship, when not implicated
in acts against the law, and the case of Senor
Casanova presents the most desirable vehicle
for this course If this is not done, not only
will justice be denied in the individual case
before us but a great wrong be perpetrate 1
upon those of our countrymen still in peril.
1t is a general question, affecting the honor
and interests of the Government as we'll as
the safety of citizens, and if it is remanded to
the slough Of diplomatic correspondence, we
may well despair. The point is this-may
| Spain permit her subordinates to ignore hel
treaty with and solemn duties to u.s. and by
wrapping the evil in courtly phrases deny a
remedy when prevention should be our de-
| mand?