St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-07-24
QUEEN OF THE ANTILLES.
The Beautiful Island Of Cuba Being
Ruined and Robbed
BY SPANISH OPPRESSORS.
Advantages That Would Accrue to the
United States by It's Pur-
chase.

NEW YORK. July 23.-The recently
published letters from Havana have
created stir among all classes OF read
ers. by reason of the original and start
ling nature of the information they con-
tain and the graphic manner in which
the facts are set forth.
Among the Americans who have a
deep and practical knowledge of Cuban
affairs, and whose hearts are warmly in
sympathy with the long-suffering and
heroic Cuban people, is Ethan Allen.
Mr.. Allen has had exceptional advan-
tages for becoming acquainted with all
questions that relate to Cuba, her peo-
pie and her resources, as for many
years he was member of the Cuban
League of the United States, and in
that capacity he was brought into daily
contact with all the Cuban patriots and
had bOundless opportunities of studying
the islands social, financial and pOliti-
cal problems.
1t having been rumored that Mr..
Allen is taking an active part in move
ment to aid the Cubans in throwing off
their island from the anarchy and ruin
that now threaten her, a reporter called
on him at his Office to ascertain what
truth there was in the report.
For many years. said Mr.. Allen,
8! have been OH terms of intimacy
with the distinguished sons of Cuba,
and during the last revolution, which
begun in 1868 and ended in the treaty
of ZanjOn in 1878, was a member of
the Cuban League of the United States.
L am in favor of putting an end to such
anarchy in Cuba, both for humanity's
sake and for my country's advantage.
AS a man and an American l believe /
am called upon to do all in my power to
officials go to Cuba with the sole and
express purpose of making a fortune
out of the general wreck. The police
are leagued in with the bandits, and
there is reign of terror in the island.
All sorts of abuses have been committed
during the state of siege. Innocent
men have been imprisoned and put to
torture, as in days of the inquisition
Despotism is running the island, and it
our duty to help her, to stretch forth a
friendly hand to her, as France did
to us.
"Cuba is under the sway of an oil
garchy formed by a number of Span
iards, who have acquired their wealth
time OF slavery; by apprOpriating the
property of the patriots, whose estates
were confScated by the government.
and by nepotism and favoritism. The
financial situation cannot be worse.
There is but one bank in the island, the
Spanish bank, and though there is an
other, called the Bank of Commerce, it
counts Tor nothing, as it is governed by
the same directors. The Cubans are
fully convinced that with Spain for
leader. they can only go from bad to
worse, and as they are not in position
to secure their independence, the An
tllllans are beginning to realize that
their only hope is annexation to this
country. They have not taken any de-
cided steps in this direction, because
they fear our people will not approve
the idea. But | know better. l am in
a position that enables me to say author
ltatively that there is an influential
body of Americans who do not propose
to stand idly by and see the beautiful
and immensely rich island of Cuba go
to her ruin. Now, Cuba's glamour
profits. Cuba's ruin means our loss.
While the blind and stupid Spaniard
rules, Cuba cannot prosper. The east
est, most feasible and most expeditions
way of saving Cuba is to annex her to
this country. Rightly governed, CUBA
would present vast field for the invest
ment of capital. Millions and millions
could be put into Cuba, and the invest
OrS would be repaid a thousand fold.
She is the richest country on earth and
would prove to us more than California.
Don't think | eXaggerate. Cuba'S re-
sources have been the wonder of all
statesmen and political economists; and
as yet but one-fitth OF the island is
under cultivation, and her 46, ZOO square
miles hold but l, 100000 inhabitants.
''As a matter of fact, Spanish rule
must soon come to an end in Cuba. 1t
is too unbearable to last much longer.
But although the end of Spanish dOmi-
nation is at hand, it is leading Cuba
now directly and steadily into bank
ruptcy, and as statesmen and patriots we
ought to do what we can for her. The
great majority of Cubans look upon an
neXation as their deliverance and their
country'S salvation. The only obstacle
in the way is Spain, and as she has al
ready entertained the idea of disposing
of Cuba, provided she can get her price,
this difficulty is easily gotten over. l
advocate the peaceful acquisition.
''In my Judgment S100,000.000 will Sc
cure this noble island to us. Congress
ought to take the initiative at once. We
have the surplus, and are quarreling as
to how to dispose of it. Here is way in
which it may be used, or portion of it,
with great profit in finance and with
great glory TO orr rpnuhlio ,,