Connecticut western news., 1875-06-04
FLEEING FROM THE GARROTE.

FLEEING FROM THE GARROTE.
 How the Prominent Men of Cuba Saved
 Their Lives But Lost Their Fortunes..-
 The Refugees in New York and Their
 Romantic Experiences. Of the three thousand or more Cuban refugees who have made this city their residence, says the New York Graphic, fourteen are under sentence of death.
 It would, indeed, be singular if shores so near as ours are to the scene of war as protracted and earnest as that for the independence of Cuba should not be- come the refuge of thousands who for one cause or another are obliged to fly from their homes.
 The first shot of the revolution in | October, 1868, were the first flames of 8 fire that had smoldered for years, but which, once ablaze, seemed to sweep from end to end of the island simulta- neously. So thorough was the outbreak that every Cuban suspected every Spaniard, and districts where either was dominant the other found it polite to l retire. The fighting began in the noun tain passes and wildernesses of the eastern district, beyond which it has not even now progressed. Here Spanish residents were very few, but those that were there had to fly to Havana. The capital, which had ever been the resi- dence of the wealthy-both Cubans and | Spanlards- once became the rendez- vous of the royalist leaders and very uncomfortable abiding place for Cuban | of demonstrative temperament or hearty patriotism. Spanish detectives shadowed every Cuban, and when his rebel pro- clivities showed themselves he was po- itely notified to leave, if wealthy, or his house was summarily sacked and he chased into hiding place at the point of the bayonet, if his worldly possessions were too small or his influence and posi- tlon too narrow to demand gentler treat ment.
 And so six months after the first presi- dent and general of the embryo repub- lie, Cespedes, formed his little army from the eastern department not one Cuban of wealth or position remained in Havana. They left in open boats and yachts, as stowaways on the steamships, at night .>and ill disguise, oftentimes within hearing of the soldiery on their track, and in the glare of their burning houses: Only recently two arrived at Key West nailed up in sugar hogsheads and smuggled aboard trading vessel. Every rock and island in the Bahamas was an Aararat to some of them, just as to-day every city in this country has be- come place of refuge. At New Orleans and Key West-places near to Cuba there are as many refugees as in New York, but they are of the humber walks of life.
 In Philadelphia there are 1000, most ly wealthy men, and in Paris there are as many, all of whom were of high posi- tlon and wide repute in the island be- fore the war.
 ! In New York the Cubans are princi- pally men who either managed to bring a competence with them or have accumu- lated modest sufficiency in business since their arrival.
 They live among us quietly, consort- ing as much with our people as among themselves. In the early days of the island insurrection they banded together and formed a junta or secret organiza- tion for the aid of the revolutionists: but this has long since been broken up, and now, If they meet at all or work together, 1t is an informal manner as emergencies demand.
 Among the refugees at present resid- ing in New York is one who seven years ago was the prince of Cuban gentlemen, the recognized leader of society in Havana, and the wealthiest planter and shareholder on the island. His name is Miguel Aldama. He owned eight i'm mense plantations, on which were grown tobacco, sugar, and coffee. These were worked by 1,500 slaves. He had vessels plying between all parts of the world and his residences in Havana, and on his plantationsat at Antonio-seventy miles dlstant-were the finest among the many palatial houses of the luxury loving peo- pie. The society he moved in included the captain general sent by Spain, the foreign consuls, and the bluest- -blooled royalists from the peninsula. When the revolution broke out he identified him self with therebels by public expressions of sympathy and frequent heavy dona- tions to their cause. Meanwhile, in an- ticipation of what was inevitable, he col lected all his available funds and dis patched them to his New York agency, so that when the notification of exile came he and his little family might be well provided for. He was not forced to disguise himself or to make his escape by stealth. The captain general made pleasant call at his residence, dined with him, and during the visit hinted that it would be wise for him to go abroad. | Wide awake to the full import of the suggestion, Senor Aldama' gathered to- gether his family and his movables and sailed openly in one of the steamships plying between New York and Havana. Shortly after he had departed his house was sacked by the Spanish soldiers, his plantations were confscated to the crown, and his name was added to the list of | those condemned to death by the gar rote. These later seventies were proba- ply in consequence of aid extended to the Cubans by Aldama since his arrival here. MT. Aldama is about forty-five years of age, but has the appearance of a man of thirty-fve. He speaks Eng fish almost perfectly, andpersonally con ducts lucrative sugar refining business in New York. He is at present the agent general of the Cuban Republic.
 Delmonte's office is the rendezvous of the wealthy refugees in New York. It was here the Junta was maintained.