The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-19
CUBA,s PECULIAR CONDITION.
Taxation against which Planters Hebel-Is
the IsInnd worth HoIdInrI

the hsinno worm tt0ldtngf
HAVANA, Jan. 1.-THE impossibiity OF
SPANS holding this island much longer is onlya
little less evident than the fact that II will not be
worth her holding. There will bc no other Cuban
revolution. although there yet exist armed
bands in revolt in tho interior districts ns they
have existed ever since the 10th Of February
last. the fatal day on which weak -knccd Cubans
betrayed their gallant countrymcn at Zanion
There will be no uprising Of the cowed OuLans.
who are far too disunitod ever to coalosco into
any dangerous focus. There will be no war OF
races. Ia Sun Domingo. because the slaves
know TINT their emancipation Is close at hand
But there will be a good old fashioned Span
sh prontp cidpiepio. and tho leaders Of II will
be the most loyal Of all loyal Spaniards.
remember n story that heard somewhere
out in Wisconsin. which very APPLY describes
the present condition OF affairs here. An old
woman had been in the habit Of bringing into
market. along with the other produce OF her
truck farm. few dozen OF eggs. Eggs gradually
became a drug. and tho storekceper refused TO
purchase the last lot she brought in at anything
over four cents n dozen,
-" rho fact is, b" he said. we, had a meeting
last night and we resolved that we couldn't
AFFORD 70 pay more than that price for eggs"
Shortly niterward there seemed an oxtraOrdi-
the Old dame tho storckocpor asked her why
Why" she replied the TACT is that the hons
up our way had meeting. about three weeks
ago, and resolved that it wouldn't pay to lay
eggs Mt four cents n dozen, and tho cussod
About four weeks ngo tho budget for tho
requisite expenses OF this island was published
Il included thc cost of mainaninr H. Isl
and some G0.OOO regulars-about t2SuOO. OO0--
ssTn99 oo @6 Snn third OF SPANS 9ayy.s9Rme
terrible loa1-not less than $3.50 head on each
iaNpayer-iell on the agricultural interests.
commerce and urban Industries can easily
Consequence: the planters rebeed. The su.:
gar consumers Of the world had resolved"
that they couldn't pay more than .hrce 10 three
and half cents for sugar and the planters, ike
the hens. held an opposition meeting and II re-
solved " that. under the proposed budget Il
wouldn't pay to grind the cane at any such price.
A meeting OF the leading planters or tier
! representatives was called nj the palace. Mar
tincz CampOs listened 10 all the GROWERS had 10
say. and tho pow-wow ended by his saying;
| in time Of peace. think il necessary to maintain
| OO,OOO regulars here to preserve SPANS do
minion over this island You pretend TO be-
| lieve thnt because | proclaimed tho complete
| paclcation Of tue island in February last, IL IS
therefore fact. But you know better, and ~ l
intcnd that this Island shall belong to Spain us
long Rs govern II, the bes1 Judge OF the situ-
| ation-shal continue TO maintain this army.
| which / consider absolutely Indispensable.
| But. u you are willing. with your ives and
| properties. to guarantee the continued possess
sion Of the island TO Spain | will ship every reg
Cuba shall be Cuban militia" Not a word more
was said or needed and the meeting dissolved.
= But Martinez CampOs has had 10 give way,
| not on the army question, but on the manner ~
! raising the whrrewith to pay that armY or tho
| tJs.OOD.OOO called for by the budget. about
| SlS.uOn.OuO were TO come from the twenty Two
| per cent. tax on all produce The hens refused
| 10 lay And now the tax has been reduced 10
| ten per cent There was no possibility OF col
| Letting the required amount u sjS.UOO0Q0 with
| the twenty I've per cent tax. Your readers may
| judge how seriously the deficit will be inrcased
| 10y this forced concession Of the GOvcrnmenL
Universal abolition in this island seems to-
day 10 b. an imminent fact in the very near
| future. The result can only los the entire PROS
| tration-tcmporary It may De-. but completr-ot
all the agricultural inter, SIS OF the island. Tho
freedmen. II they can, Will lock into the cities:
| II thcy cannot, they viii roam about the cuun-
| try Their wants are few and the soil is very
sugar estates. A. sugar il to-day seven -cighths
! OF our total produce. given tho ruin Of that
industry. the Va uelcs=n"ss OF Cuba to Spain ~
patent. II wouldn't pay for holding.
! Tint Capuin-General Martinez Campos will
shortly be- relieved 10y Gen. Joyeilar Is openly
! reported and generally credited. Revolution in
! Spain seems SO imminent that II hats been
| thought necessary to have a military man like
| Cumpos. who can always rely upon the army.
| al the head ~ tu- Government, in place %! CAM
oVas del Castillo. who. ut best. Is a bureaucratic
| politician. and has to work hard 10 conserve a
| minority IN the tortos,
hcnr IL on the very best authority that King
| Alfonso has lately appointed Don VI guc do
Aldama now and for years past a resident Of
! your city. as Civil Governor Of tho island Al
! tonso is only following the example SGT him by
! his royal cousin. Don Carlos ii" Bourbon. who
sent the same appointment o. senior Aldnnia.
! II remains To be- seen whether senior Aliama ~
! rs true to-day 10 his programme II Cuba for
! Cubnns as he WIS when he politely declined
the compliment rendered him by Don Carlos.