The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-24
THE REVOLT In CUBA.
AN INTERVIEW WITH ETHAN ALLEN
ON THE SUBJECT.
He Belongs to the Cuban League of the
United States and Is in Favor Of Put
ting an End to Spanish Tyranny and
Oppression.


created n stir among all classes Of readers,
by reason Of the original and startling
nature OF the information they contain
and tho graphic manner in which they are
set forth. Among the Americans who
have a deep and practical knowledge OF
Cuban affairs, and whose hearts ARE warm
ly in sympathy with the long-suflering and
heroic Cuban people. is Mr.. Ethan Allen.
Mr.. Allen has had exceptional advantages
for becoming acquainted with all questions
that relate to Cuba, her people and her
resources, AZ for many years he was u
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 large opportunities
for studying the islands social, financial
and political problems II having been
rumored that Mr. Allen " taking nm active
part in n movement To aid the Cubnns in
throwing oil the CALLING yoke OF Spain and
rescue their island from anarchy and ruin
that now threaten her, Sun reporter
called on Mr.. Allen at his office TO ascertain
what truth there was In the report
TUT many lNflst 6Nl' WI hHtil, 1
have been on terms Of intimacy with the
distinguished sons Of Cuba, aud during
the Inst revolution, which began in 1868
and ended in the treaty Of Hanjon, in
1878, ! was n member OF the Cuban League
OF the United States.
81 am IN favor Of putting mn emil TO
Spanish tyranny IN Cuba, both for human
ity's sake and for my country's advantage.
As man and as an American. believe
| am called upon TO do all in my power to
further this end. Tho Sun's series of lla-
vana letters have made known the present
lameniablo state OF that once beautiful
and prosperous island. The government y
officials go to Cuba with the sole and cx.
press purpose OF makinga fortune out Of
the general wreck. The police arc lcagucd
with the bandits, and M your correspond.
ent expresses II, there Is reign Of terror
in the island All sorts Of abuses have
been committed during the state OF siege
Innocent men havo been imprisoned aud
put To torture rs in the days OF the inqui-
sition. Dcspolism Is running that island
and II In our duty TO help her; 10 stretch
forth friendly hand TO her AZ France
did To us.
Cuba is underth sway Of nm oligarchy.
formed by some Of the Spaninrds who have
acquired their wealth by the importation
Of negroes during the time Of slavery; by
approprating tho property Of the Cuban
patriots. whose estates were ooniiscatod by
the government, and by dcspotism aud IA
voriiism. Tho Cubans are excluded from
all part in the government and adminstra.
ton oi their country. m all the places arc
occupied by ignorant "Pcninsulares, who,
for purposes ol plumber, are sent over from
Spain by the thousands.
THE financial situation cannot be worse.
There IL but one bank In the island, tho
Spanish bank, and, though there Is an
other called the Bank Of Commerce. IL
counts for nothing, as tits governed by the
same directors. As there IN no circulating
capital in the island, the planters arc un.
able In secure money for their most press.
ing needs, Tor the little money that Is dc.
pusted In the banks Is hardly sulhcicat To
satisfy the demands Of the olignrchys IA.
yoriics. Tho Cuban planters arc therefore
pushed Ia the wall.
"rhc Cubans arc firmly convinced that
with Spain for leader they can only 90
FROM bad Ia worse. aud ~ they are not in
position To secure their independence
the Aniillicns are beginning Ga realize that
their only hope is annexation 10 our coun-
try.
~ am IN n position that enables me
20 say au,hori,atycly that there IL large
and influential body Of Americans who
propose not Ia stand idly by aud SEE the
beautiful aud immensely rich island oi
Cuba ~ Ia her ruin. You will ask me
why these men DO not speak. The answer
Is because they arr afraid TO lead the way.
Hut, once let the ball I've put In motion,
and Il will grow ia power and importance
~ II rolls.
"Now. Cubas gain means our profit:
Cuba's ruin means our loss. While the
blind aud stupid Spanish government
rules there Cuba cannot prosper. Tn,
easiest, most feasible way II saving Cubs
~ Ia annex her ca this country.
eve have always been the largest i'm
porter Of Cuba's products, and from us she
imports the greater part Of what she con
uumc.. From this union, therefore, W,
shall rap nothing but advantages.
Rightly governed Cuba would present
vast field for tho Investment oi capital
Millions aud millions could bc put int,
Cuba aud the investors would be repaid I
thousand fold. She Ia In proportion III,
richest country on earth, and would prov,
10 M mop than California. Don't think
cNgIoia.e. ,npas n'sour'rs nave beer
economists, and n vet but one. 9th " III,
slahu " uhucI cu'uNauon' anI ncr taW,N
Hluh'' m'''S ho'u pu' i''","Vo inhhbi'
anus O.,
Asa matter OF la'I spanish rule mus
soon ooine 10 an end N ,uba' " ~ to'
though uhc cnd ol spanish domination 4
| ut hand, u IN leading Cuba now dip,ctl,
aud steadily TO bankruptcy, and ~ states