Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-04-14
IN NEIGRRORING ISLES.
Custouas and Habits of the AristO-
cracy OF Cuba.

SsSmS ana kfaDts OF the ArtotOs
cracy OF Cuba.
cLubLrrE IN HkvASA-So HOxE-LIFR AMONG THE
WzALrHY-FAxoCs CLUBS AND SOCIETIES AND
BRILLIANT ESTRaTArsNESTs-sPASTsH PATRIOTISM
AID cusAs HATRxD-ELEGASr COUNTRY SEATS.
Special Correspondents of TIE EVENING STAR
tCopyrghted 1sSSl
HAvASA- CrBA, April Q, 1888.
High life In Cuba Is more pitaole 70 earnest con-
temptation than are the patheically hopeless
exfstences sustained BY the lowly. Not that the
aristocracy OF birth and wealth In the splendid
island are veU wicked / do not believe
any large number Of them are. But when the
most earnest observation and study only result In
arevelation that, almost without exception, the
most sacred product Of civilization, the home, is
eliminated from experience, and indeed holds no
place In the mind OF the wealthier classes Of cuba
NOT even universal social brulancy, or Individual
Instances OF ooundless hospitality, can blind re-
cognirion Of an impressive and saddening fact.
DAILY HABITS
The trouble Is that while the spanish or native
Cuban. aristocrat has his nne, and often splen-
nd haoitation, he lives at the club II he
have business he seldom arrives where II is
before noon. or In time 20 breakfast at his es-
Enlistment, the grand cafe or the Climb He
s Of nng S SEaf eS S 9un er re m r
mains at cards, at wine, at politics. or at all
three, until nearly morning; is then driven 70
with '.coner" In his bed or while dressing; and
sees bis family probably with SUFFICIENT frequency
70 be able TO recognize its members II an unex-
pected meeting should at any time occur There
seems 10 be no heartache or social scandal arising
from this sort OF habits for the cub Is the family
Is the religious shrine OF this people The wife and
the children have little else than the one aspira.
tion-to shine at the brilliant ieteS and feasts or
the club; and as these affairs and the great balls
given In honor Of countless this and that's pro-
Vide sufficient stimulOus social conQuests IN
farm fara paSnn
Sleep and slest1 sustain little loss In the absence
OF 80 much Of stranger as the head OF the mouse,
be he merchant marquis. Because as this Is
even a more marked feature OF Cuban high life
than In metropolitan cities OF the most gaiety-
culos. and casinos, they are variously called,
sustain an unusual and important relation TO Gu
ban sociology and anairS
TIE FIRST GREAT CLUB
established In Cuba was founded in 1898 1t was
known as the ''Sociedad FiarmonicaD The best,
noolest, most talented, as well as wealthiest Of
Cubans formed It's membership, and from 10 grew
the highest development known TO cuba In art,
music. and literature The santa Cecilia" society
soon came the "Liceo," with still higher musical
and literary aims and results During this
period the noted pirate ehleftain. Francisco
Marti, had become a tremendous power In cuba.
In the nrst quarter OF the century he had come,
poor Barceionian fisherman. 10 Havana: piled his
denly disappeared, and n Time came TO be The
most daring and dreaded contraoancist and free
DOOter ever Known IN the WEST luUle5- tONtruOf-
General Tacon, having exhausted all means 10 his
capture, finally offered $50 900 in god and fun par
don TO any OF his Toowers VINO would deliver TO MIN
the live or dead body or the pirate Upon this Marti
himself suddenly appeared In the palace in the
guise OF his own bet; aver; and, before making
himself known, secured not only the reward
which he made a gifJ 10 Tacon, but q monopoly
for LIE OF the fish privileges OF Havana His mill
Ions, diplomacy, and great aointles made him
and yet powerful citizen the island ever knew.
And on his career 10 knghtnood-for he became
Cheyaller de Francisco MaIti. and secured for his
negress wife and mulatto daughters IA
Bunda de Marie LOUISE" the highest honor
comfortable by spanish royalty upon woman,
nand VII-in order 20 honor The friendship OF aeon
and placate the Havanese aristocracy. he built
here one OF the largest and nnesJ theaters In the
world, naming II Tneater Tacon. Under the infiu-
ence ana patronage or these powerful societies. Tor
period. art am music were given extraordinary
Development, particularly the latter; and at this
very Tacon tneater the production OF great oraLo-
NOS and grand operas were attended with spen-
dor and impressiveness never outrivaled In any
European city,
FOSTERING SPANISH PATRIOTISM.
Naturally the capital had its imitators, and
similar societies were established at Matanzas,
C1enfuesOs, Santiago de Cuba and all other large
cities OF .he island The period OF their greatest
tween 1855 and %. this period also undoubtedly
covering Cuba's most marvellous material gain |
IN which the avarice and spoiIation OF Spain
grew into such murd rous proportions that |
the revolution OF lsts, and the subsequent |
7. arS OF horror We're made Inevitable. /
These great civilizing and enno0nng associations
were annihilated by war. Spain and Spanish su.
premaey controlling the cities under the military
and political regime which followed, all talent IN
social organic lion was directed 70 the formation l
OF societies among al classes which should |
predOninance spanish patriotism. Each OF |
these Associations, Wherever Iormed-and Span
n evel and a eTry GIes 1eSo
CuDa-was given the name lei Casino ESpanol |
de" thisor that, thus boldly enforcing the In |
The attachment and supposed Obligations to the |
mother country Oy the Spaniard Dorn were thus |
placsrded and intensified. few Cubans, from
motives Of sefnteresr, accepted this social badge
0f servitude.
HATRED OF SPAIN.
But the vast majority, suffering IN purse or
heart; Impoverished from coniscation OF property
or carrying through LIE the awful memories OF In
nocent children shot on the plaza above Moro
oloOd-swept fields or CamaZuay, during these
dolorous times universally sought silent retiracy
FAR more Impressive Ia It's unyielding lmplaca-
bilrry toward Spanish governmental and social
torture tDan the most Violent open opposition.
But this was nearly two decades ago Men are
social DefngS CuDdnS are unusually So The
hatred between Cuoans and Spaniards Is no less.
II Is grea,er. Even In their helplessness,
from some inconceivable source they have
gained and possess n radiant faith that
either Spain will tire OF her now Iueless depend
epcy, or that moral force and International discus
sion Will soon cUmpel CubIn autonomy. There
fore hatred Is guIsed In eyer-growing suavity.
Centres circulos and CASINOS by the score have
sultec. and consideration or them and their bear
Ing on the socioo gy Of cuba must be had with the
faet In mind that as things are, the Spaniard and
cuban, IN Cuba, are socially an entity.
THE CASINO EsPANoL
Of Havana, whose membership OF about 8 200 was
obtained during and since the revolution Is IN
doubleday the most important clubin Cuba In point
Of numbers wealth Of members, and significance
attacnns u the fact that It's board OF control Is
Invariably composed Of those in a position TO
voice, Ii quLsi-offcial manner, the Spanish gov.
ernmenIal poiacies IN CuLa IL represents the tory
or Conservative element, and Its power Is shown
and influence largely felt not only through It's
secret adjustment or the current ideas throughout
the Island, but In It's frequent open political
rnaneuvers; It's sobriscrltOs 10 the Madrid
government; and its addresses TO new
Minister'S encouragement and other high
onicialA II Is alerJly and agxressive.y
spanish In all things; enforces its political suprem.
acy By al manner Of entertainments and affairs
that appeal 10 pubic pride, sucn a. receptions 10
civic and military oricials and Spanish grandees.
while It's grand balls, feIes and banquets are re.
garded the acme or social d. nifty and spleu1or
The interior OF It's building contains addition 70
the usual cOnyenences VI the best clubs Of America
or Europe. spacious orchestra and bathrooms and
n complete theater for Its own performances.
The noors are OF marble; The columns are mirrored:
lis decorations In embossed anu colOred glass are
oriental In rare design and brfIliancy; Its walls
are hung with portraits OF spanish royalty nd
scenes nom spanish history; Its cuisine Is not ex-
1ah in par md IN