The New York herald., 1873-10-11
CUBA'S ANNIVERSARY.
"El Critic de Yara"-Celebrating the Striking o.
the First Blow for Freedom-Divine
services-Lecture on Cuba Libre
by General Millen.


The Cuban residents in New York yesterday eel.
ebrated the fifth anniversary OF the battle OF Yara,
the first effort OF the present struggle for liberty
in tine Gem of the Antilles. There was no outward
display, however, In the observance OF the anni-
vcrsary, for Cubans In New York have learned,
first, that the world sympathizes more with deeds
than with vaunting boastfuness, and that Cubans,
II they have money to spare In aid OF their cause,
had better send it to the patriot forces In the field
than contribute it to the "pomp and circum-
stance" OF street display a thousand miles from
the camps Ci the Mambi.
The only ceremony In celebration OF the day was
the morning service at the Church OF Santiago. at
which Rev. ]. De Palma oficiated The church
was crowded to repletlon, and there is every rea-
son to believe that at least four-hfths OF all the
Cubans In New York celebrated the day in some
manner yesterday. The musical exercises at the
church were quite feature OF the services Mr..
Emilio Agramonte presiding at the organ, and
quartet OF voices rendering the vocal music in
excellent style. Rev. Mr.. De Palma preached from
the text-"I will be thy King; where is any other
that thee in all thy cities ~ The services
were closed with the singing OF the "re Deum."
Among the prominent Cubans present were Frede-
rico Martinez, Haris Cisneros. Senior J. Marotta,
Senior Aguileros Francisco Arteago and other well
known patriots.
In the evening some 800 or 400 Cubans, among
whom was large proportion OF olive checked and
darked eyed daughters OF the Antilles assembled
IN the large hall OF Cooper Institute to hear
lecture by General Francis F. Miller on "The Cuban
War Of lndependence.n General r. Darr occupied
the chair, and quite number OF prominent Cuban
sym thizers occupied the platform, among them
bei Sehor Agramonte brother OF the late
General Ygnacio Agramonte, who was SO
lV fa th1
outside Puerto Principe by the spaniards.
General Darr called the meeting to order
and introduced the lecturer, who was received
with voley Of applause, as Zone who had claims
to the respect of republicans, having been chief OF
the Mexican artillery in the war against the En-
peror Maximian.n General Millen advanced to
the reading desk and in clear voice proceeded to
deliver the lecture, which proved to be an account
OF his actual experiences in Cuba Hbre last winter
and spring. After brief allusion to the anniver-
sary which all took such deep interest in, and
which ne said was inaugurated by a few undaunted
men I'VE years ago In the ingenio de MOjagua,
near Manzanillo lie traced in outline the previous
efforts at obtaining Cuban independence, dwelling
especially those OF Narcisso Lopez, in 1S5S-'59.
Referring to the failure OF the Whitman ex-
pedition, he went on to say that In 1860. while
the Cubans were still meditating another attempt,
they were induced Tor time to abandon 1t In an
ticipaton that mission at that time forwarded to
MADRID In behalf OF the island would be successful.
That mission failed, however. and the Cubans or
gained secret patriotic societies under the gnise
hibIted the right OF pubic assemblage; a horde OF
Spanish officials were consuming the vitals OF the
country; natives were admitted 10 no share what
ever IN the administration OF the government; the
customs service was iraudently and oppressively
administered, and 1t was only the almost teeming
richness OF the country that saved it from utter
ruin. In 1868 the people appealed to the God OF
liberty again. and in October that year the cry OF
"Yara" was raised by a little band OF 100 men.
The dissadection spread rapidly through Holguln,
Las Tunas, Palma Soriano, Guantanamo, Gibara,
the Cubans We're masters OF more than tw0-thirds
OF the territorial area Of the island The success OF
with by the undue rigor with which our govern
ment interpreted the neutrality laws as against the
stead OF the hundreds OF thousands that would have
found their way to the patriot ranks only 23,oOo
There were protests made against this rigid rule,
but they were unavaflng. At last General Sickles,
soe was sens as ba Minister Ss 70
in behalf of the island would be OF some
good service. He obtained promise OF
lenency OF an extension OF liberty or OF any other
efforts against the Antlileans BY land and sea- and
General valmaseda. The United States still kept
those days, under the cruel tyrant vamaseda,
were indeed, dark days for the young Republic.
cruelty and said ..The island is paclfcd.n Anon
news came OF battles and sorties in forest and
nmas, morass with nd lists Of dead & and wounded BY
how battles could be fought and victories
be won where there was no war. In this condition
OF affairs, the New YORK HERALD loud appIause)
resolved to solve the question whether not
there was state OF war prevailing in the island.
They sent commissioner to reach Cespedes'
camp. He returned however after penetrating to
the camp OF General lgnaco Agramonte. The
HERALD was not satisfied it must hear direct
from President Cespedes. and two other Commits
sioners, o'Kely and the lecturer, were sent out.
The lecturer then described with considerable
minuteness and attractiveness OF detail his jour
neying through the island as already described In
the insurgent lines, he was In company with
Spanish troops, who always seemed to regard him
as spy, and assured him invariably almost tnat
Cespedes was dead ana that his army was CON-
posed OF four wild negros dos negros cfmarones.
At last through the aid OF a lady. he passed into
their lines, and reached the camp Of Calixto
Garcia and was present at the battle
which he forwarded to the HERALD at the time OF
their occurrence. Nnety-nve per cent or the peo-
pie OF Cuba Libre he found were favor OF annex
alton to the United states, but the cold at the
head OF our government repulses the pronered
embrace. Of the Queen, of the Antilles, with her
dover of $50, o00, coo and her annual commerce Of
slao.ooo,ooo more. He then described mis- Journey
to the camp OF General Modesto Diaz, where he
pedes iace to face.
The lecturer then proceeded TO read numerous
letters OF prominent leaders IN the war OF in
dependence, in all of which the fire of patriotism
was peculiarly ardent to show the sentiment
whicn animated them as nait. There couid C De
the arbtrament OF the sword, ana men with sem
timents like those expressed In the letters he had
read wou.d be free at whatever cost Of blood or
endurance. The people OF Cuba Libre produce
nearly all they require, or at least all they enjoy
use they have invented method OF extracting
nitre for their gunpowder from guano found along
the coast. Arms and ammunition, however, were
scarce, and II arms could be conveyed into Cuba
for the use OF all the patriots who desire to use
them, then Spain would be driven out OF the coun.
try in two months.
At the close Of the lecture Colonel Antonio Zam-
brana and other Cuban patriots addressed the
audience in Spanish, and ELECTED much enthu.
siasm.