The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1885-02-26
POLITICS ~ HAVANA.
Flow L0yslty to the King of spain u
Encouraged In MORO Castle.

FO1J Nv SvSVNsNos
How Loyslfy to the King of spain r
Encouraged In MORO Castle.
Havana Cor. Inter Ocean,
The political condition in Cuba today
is better than i has been for many
years. Although there is occasionally
an outbreak in the rural districts of the
island, it is never permitted to become
contagious, and there are always
soldiers enough to tramp it down. Oc-
casionally some filibuster from New
Orleans or key West lands on an nnin-
habited coast and makes his way into
the interior, but he is soon snuffed out.
The Spanish policy that an ounce Of
prevention is worth q pound Of cure, is
applied in most vigorous manner, and
il half the stories that are told are true,
the heel of the dcspot is indeed upon
the neck of the Cuban. Every
man, it is said, who expresses a senti-
mcnt not strictly loyal to the Spanish
authority, is arrested and imprisoned;
conspiracy is punished by dungeon con-
fincInent or death; and this practice has
gone very far to encourage people not
70 talk politics.
Of frc l,ient notice in cafes, ind other
public places, is conspicuous placartt
bearing the significant legend, please
do not talk politics hcre;" and wherever
you meet him, whether at homo or
abroad, the prudent Cuban, If he value
his lifs and liberty, or is possessed of
confiscatable property, keeps his polit-
ical opinions to himself. Tho news
papers are all subject to censorship, the
telegraph Offices arc under the surycil.
lance Of the police, and it is even said
that the mails arc often examined for
reasonable documents.
but Notwithstanding all the tcrrors
that stare treason in the face, the Cuban
patriot" tho man who thinks, and
works and hopes for independence, is
found in large numbers, stirring up an
agitation which usually ends with free
ride for himself and his friends across
tho bay to Castle MORO, and entertain
mcnt at the hands of the government
for the rest Of their lives. Who enters
Castle Moro leaves all hope behind.
To pass between its portals involuntarily
forleny reason is considered equivalon,
to sentence of death, and many wllt
have gone there can not even be traced
beyond the iron doors. If any record
exists of prisoners who enter tho castle
common rumor lies, for it is generally
said and believed that only in Heaven
! are the books kept. No ono on cartf
| has ever seen them, and none evel
knew positively where they arc. Some
say that the records of arrest and con
finement are sent to the minister o1
justice at Madrid; others suggest that
the daily reports Of tho commandant
are sent to spain, and destroyed aftel
perusal; but however it may be the com
mon understanding is that whoever Ell
! tcrs Morro castle loses his identity, ant
never comes out again, for the bodies d
the dead are said to be cast over tin
parapets into the sea.
The theory of government whicl
Spain has followed since she assumed
control of tho western hemisphere, ant
by which she has lost all tina. she onc'
had, is still in vogue. Tho Spaniard ha
learned no lesson by experience; n
seems Oblivious to the results Of tYrann,
in Mexico and South America, and ha
seen a magnificent empire pass from hi
hands without realizing that murdc
and cruelty arc not the best modes Q
securing peace and promoting civiliza
ton. Spain's method of governing he
colonies is to-day the same as when tha
remarkable goathcrd, Pizarro, died o.
the staircase in the Incas palace of Peru
kissing the cross he had marked upol
the dusty floor with his own blood. Tn
demands Of civilization have compelle'
her soldiers to sheath their swords, bu
the political inquisition still exists il
the hands of military despots, who tax
thcpower that was welded by the priest
centuries ago.
| Every folu th man you meet is sol
dicr; q commission and q uniform,
tin cross and few ribbons seem to b
the ultimate glory which tho Spaniar
in Cuba seeks. He gets but little pay
but his power is unlimited. He is gen
orally q mcek-looking individual in
linen suit Of narrow blue and whit
stripes, with Panama hat, a straigl
little sword at his side, and a couple q
revOlvers at his belt. He is everywhcr
in large numbers, at tho hotels, at til
cafes, at all the public places, at tn
custom houses, and around the palace
he is very numerous, always polite an
gcntccl III his manners, with a tenQepc
to postpone until tomorrow whateye
must not absolutely be done to-day, an
q disposition to accept gratuities for an
service, from q cigarette to coin.