New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-14
AFFAIRS IN THE VEST INDIES.
A SHREWD SCHEME OF CUBAN PLANTERS.
TRYING TO PERPETUATE SLAVERY TO RECRUIT
PLANTATION LABOR GANGS.

TRYING TO PERPETUATE SLAVERY TO RECRUIT
PLANTATION LABOR GANGS.
An effort was made by the leading sugar
planters Of Havana at the close OF last year form
association for the Improvement OF the sugar industry
the settlement the slavery question and the solving Of
the pulling labor problem. Among the founders Of the
association Seniors Zulueta Ybafez and Montejo,
the latter Louisiana planter. They persuaded about
thirty planters 20 JOIN the movement preliminary
meeting was held at the residence Of Senior Zuueta'
whereat permanent organization entered into Of
which Senior Zulueta elected president Senior
Ybalez, yice-presdent and Senior Montejo secretary.
Bylaws we're drawn up be submitted for discussion,
and ultimately for the approval OF the Government IL
was proposed create model plantation. school for
mineraogy, agriculture and chemistry besides estab-
fishing Journal, which should be the organ of the in
sttuton The selection of the latter fell upon 5. s.
speucers Boetn COmeicdI, which came out every FRI
day in the interest Of the association. This in time was
TO be transformed iuto regular weekly paper, Senior
MonteO, civil engineer, as editor.
A gentleman from Havana who is well acquainted
with this project and what 1t promises 20 become
under the manipulation Of its leaders, said recently in
conversation on the subject: Everything would have
worked smoothly in the association had not the
brlded Spanish element found way to control the
action OF the board. The first ntimaOT Of any deyla
ton from the ayOWed purposes OF the association came
out in the shape Of a pamphlet, prepared by Seniors
Fernandez. Criado and Monteo, in which it was in-
with dash OF the pen. The idea was pausibly liberal
one aud we'll calculated 10 gain proseyes by the score
bat 10 In reality cover for deep laid scheme To
cmaueipae themselves from one Of the binding clauses
treaty I'm regard to the slavery question, between
England and Spain. According to this clause long
there slavery existing IN the island OF Cuba. not
black could be introduced into the island from
Africa under pretence whatever lis easy TO see that
In view poor result OF the experiment with coolies
and The difficulty OF getting supply Of laboreIs upon
paving terms the abolition OF slavery became the only
plank upon which 10 float their scheme Laborers they
must have any terms. aud slavery once abolished
they would be free TO introduce all the negroes they de-
sired from Africa into their island colonies that coast
such as Fernando PO. AnnObOn and the Canary group
After that they could BE- quietly brought Into Cuba UNI
der guise Of cOlousts settlers who would be re-
duced TO the condition OF slaves, thus repenlshng the
exhausted gangs on the plantations"
Tue emancipation laws known as MOret's, promu
gated under the BRIEF period or Casleacs Government
providing that all births since 1868, all negroes over
xty years OF age and all those found 10 lave been reg
isered at that date shall be free, dead letter now
through the proverbal cupidy Ot the officials OF the
freedmen's bureau who do hesitate To accept any
bride offered 10 keep the negroes IN slavery until death
comes their relief The foreign powers Interested IN
the matter shOnd take cOgDznco OF these facts 10 foil
these schemes in their incipiency'