The New York herald., 1879-11-06
SPAIN AND CUBA.
A Review Of Spanish Policy
Toward the Island.
FIFTY YEARS OF AGITATION.
the Shareholders Annexation
Scheme-The Rebellion.
HAvANa. Oct. 25. 1879.

HAVANA, Oct. 25. 1879.
You have expressed wish to have true and inn
partial idea OF the present situation of the island OF
Cuba shall endeavor to give it to you clearly and
For this must look back to former
times with the object of making the present more
CUBA GROWS PROSPEROUS
The former colonial regime of Spain in substance,
as expressed the Code. known generally the
Laws OF the Indies has really been in vigori in
this island. which, being then of limited population
and riches. Spain considered and governed if it
penal settlement ever since the discovery and
colonization of her former vast coloDial empire.
until this lost by tho several parts cmancipatng
themselves and forming independent States.
military general governed the island almost at his
caprice limiting himself not to the orders he
ceved from Madrid. During the long tinie the war
lasted against tho rebels of Mexico Central America.
Venezuela, Peru Chile River Plate and forth, this
island military depot. central point posi-
ton for the navy and the captain generals who have
been in command have always held position. as it
were. independent of the government OF the me-
tropolls. The government of Madrid seemed to
very little for the fate of Cuba. Later
the arrival Of many rich immigrants who came,
some voluntarily and others expelled from
the former viceregal States of the American
continent converted into Independent nations, and
of rich and eminent from the French part of
the island Of St. Domingo. Many of these came
accompanied by their slaves. provided with money,
and all Of them practical agricuturists established
elements of prosperity in the island. The extinc-
tion of the slave trade the immigration Of more
Spaniards the increase in the consumption of the
natural products caused by the emancipation of St.
Domingo, tho disturbances in Brazil, the general
peace established in Europe which facilitated new
markets for colonial products and the extension of
tho neighboring Republic, all rapidly created q
really solid prosperity. First coffee and then sugar
was produced in considerable quantities, and an
nualy exported to the United States and to Europe
Each year produced surplus in the value of the
exports that of the imports. and much money
was brought in and employed in bringing negroes
from Africa, in acquiring machinery and imple-
ments of agriculture, in preparing new land for the
cultivation Of more the cities extended, others
were formed; the country became more populated.
the white population increased instruction began
TO be extended and some eminent men employed
their time. their knowledge and their money in
giving impulse to the educational movement and to
the progress of agriculture and industry. Then
many began to think that the government OF the
island was not good that 1t could might be bet
ter. but fixed their attention the admins
trative and financial departments than the polit
cal situation.
THE FIRST CUBAN REFORMS
OF the former colonial regime there remained only
the nearly irresponsible despotism Of the Captain
General representative of the Kings authority and
his government, and the restrictive laws that
tanned the obligation OF trading only with Spain.
and through Spain with all other nations. Against
these last restrictions principally directed the
public opinion. and a reform was asked for of the
government. such would give to this country the
FACILITY of direct intercourse trade with other
countries. Tho principal promoter OF this crusade
against the mercantile laws was Cuban named
Arrange, rich intelligent. with . knowledge of
finance, u correct writer, elegant In his manners.
from Cuba to the of Cadiz and gained the
spect and consideration OF the most important
men of the metropolis; When the Cortes was
dissolved by Ferdinand VII. Arrange did not aban-
don his post; he went to Mrdrid. spoke
wrote and appearing as il he did not occupy him
the King. Who named INN Councillor OF the Indies
In tins elevated position his influence increased and
his wishes were taken more into consideration. lie
fought without ceasing against those who wished to
perpetuate monopolies and privileges. until at last
his hopes realized and his efforts crowned with
The King Ferdinand, to whom is due much of the
loss of the American Empire, heard with pleasure
the remainder of the dominions left him. and as
what Arrange asked was simply Of an economical
or financial character. in no way affecting his
political system. aud believing. on the other
hand, that the commercial restrictions had
been the real aud true cause of the discomfort
and revolt of the Americas readily acceded to what
ever was proposed by arrange. He dictated DEGREES.
gave ont orders that facilitated the repartition OF
land guaranteeing individual property. freed agri-
culture and industry from the many restrictions
that overwhelmed them, and, lastly. opened the
ports Of the island to the commerce OF all nations
though reserving to that OF Span by means of enor-
nous differential duties, competition easy and
profitable. The prosperity of the island since that
the production and commerciat relations IN rapid
and constantly progressive rate. As, for instance
scarcely any sugar was exported before that time,
and in 1888 900 tons were shipped in ls43. 100000
tons in 1885, I'D 900 tons, ani i'll 1862 5lSOOO tons
since when the expectation has scarcely varied.
GROWTH OF POLITICAL AUTHORIZATIONS
With the material prosperity and the increase of
the white population came naturally an intellectual
change the extension OF general sna
were enabled to- make gave them new Ideas, OF
which previously few II any ever thought. The
constitutional term of 1870 to 1928 passed Cuba
without leaving trace ia their thoughts but few
years later many began to think that the political
regime dominant here kept the natives OF the coun
try in an almost degrading position compared with
what existed in other countries, and that system
ought to be introduced analogous to what reigned in
all the civilized world Then the government of the
metropolis had the misfortune to send rs Captain
General General Iacon. man little enlightened.
honest but mpctuous. and. above all, prejudiced.
He had served In the Continental American
war, where he had passed the greater part of his
life and not having very fortunate against tho
rebels Thought that he saw in each native American
enemy of Span partisan of the Independence
of tho country he was An excellent chief of police.
.
and to the robbers, and prosecuted yagabonds; but
lie bad politician and worse Governor. His
politics consisted in maintaining firmly the author
ity OF Spain, his own colonial despotism, the op
preston OF tho metropolis over the colony; ener-
getcaly opposing all reforms aud any changes, even
such as the government OF Madrid timidly wishedto
make trial of: he was not sanguinary. but he was
cruel; he harassed, chastised banishcd any man
who with more or less publicity opposed
his measures criticised his conduct, and
above all those whom he thought, how
ever modest might bo their plans. that
n chn ehould be m reform intro
duced into the political system of the island. Ho
conhdcd bndly in the spanish element composed
generally OF OF little instruction. fearful
of change and movements that might disturb the
order of things established and the dominion of
spain. On leaving the post General Tacon left tho
inhabitants OF the island divided in two parties;
the side the Spaninrds. the other the Cubans;
the former pretcntious, accustomed to rule and de-
termncj to defend the status quo the palladium of
their security tho lattor crcstfalen but rritated
SPANISH DEcEPTIoN-cuDAN DIscoSTENr
This separation has never ceased TO exist. Many
captain generals cafne-somc indolent, others
INSCRIPTIONS, overbearing and despotic but
with little difference all followed the political
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