The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-15
IMPOVERISHED CUBA.
The Island Reduced to a DeplorabIe Condition
by the Extortion of Spain.


Washington Special.
Col. j. a Nunez, late consul at Cardeuas,
CUBA was at the Ebbitt House to-day, en- route
for his home in Louisville. Ky. He resigned his
consulship the Sd of September. but was not
retired from duty until the Both. He left Havana
on that day. Your correspondent, knowing Col
Nunez to be a man well informed upon Cuban
affairs, called on him and obtained the following
interesting and instructive interview:
what is the present condition of the islandE'
$50 bad that it cannot we'll be worse Every
material interest is PROSTATE, almost every one
impoverished, land rapidly becoming valueless
and general outlook of gloom and despond-
ency."
WAS not the last sugar crop a good onel"
1T was much above the average, but unseason-
able rains caused about 10 per cent to be left I'M
cut in the fields. Prices were low"
What is the prospect of the crop for this
seasons'
There is prospect of fair crop for the
present season, though the want of money has
prevented the planters from bestowihg the nee
essary care on their land. If prices should rule
high this year they would prove respite for an
island in great distress"
what is the cause of the low prices9"
''The remoloche, beet sugar which gluts our
| markets where the Cuban planter must look for
his sales ana His profits
How do the Spaniards and Cubans regard
each other2"
in a cat and dog, or monkey and parrot
fashion. They are linked together by malig-
nant destiny, and hate each other cordially"
Can you understand why this isl"
only by understanding that there is moral
as well as physical trabismus. Spain is short
sighted and cross-eyed. and sees her own in
| terests and those of Cuba, through perverted
senses. She takes from the island all that she
can grasp and leaves it only blood and vitality
enough to breathe. She has learned nothing
from the fable of killing the goose for the golden
egg
why do the Cubans submit to SPANS ex-
| tortionsl"
Because. though they might desolate the
| island they cannot by themselves achieve their
| independence. They have tried and signally
| failed"
Would 1t be to their advantage to achieve it2H
mo- because though SPANS control is horri
BILE, anarchy would be worse, and anarchy
would be the result of Cuba ruled only by
Cubars Every noted guerrilla chief would
want to be President, and they would re-enact
the scenes that have so often degraded Mexico,
| the Central American and South American
mlscalled-republics."
Are the Cubans fit for republican govern
ment2'
They are not; neither are the Spaniards
There are few Castelars in Spain, and repub-
lican government can only be sustained on the
basis OF primitive simplicity and innocence or
advanced civilization, full and practical
AoSoEuieiou vi all CIVIL rlpntS OF person ana
property. These facts are we'll known to all
the more intelligent Cubans, who tolerate Span.
ish rule only because it is preferable to an
archy."
DO the Cubans desire annexation to the
United Statesl'
Generally they do. and most earnestly, and
1t would be great thing for Cuba, but for the
United States it can only be desirable as choice
of evils. With the mass of ignorance among the
population it would be dangerous element to
q Omit Ipfr v1<,lif t..
tating toward US, and we must eventually pos
sess the island, which ultimately, by large emf
grafton and infusons of Anglo-Saxon vicor. will
become qualified to appreciate and participate in
the administration of those institutions which
have made our government the cynosure of the
world"