Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-07-24

information they contain, anc the SrupnS
manner in which the facts are set forth.
Among the Americans who have deep
and practical knowledge of Cuban affairs
and whose hears are warmly in sympathy
with the long suffering and heroic Cuban
people, is Mr.. Elan Allen. Mr.. Allen has
had exceptional advantages for becoming
acquainted with ali questions that relate to
Cuba, her people, and her resources, a. for
many years he was a 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 political prob
lens.
1t having been rumored that Mr.. Allen Is
taking an active part in movement to aid
the Cubans in throwing of the CALLING yoke
of Spain. and rescue their island from the
anarchy and ruin that nov threaten her,
Sun reporter called on Mr.. Alien at his Of
fice 10 ascertain what truth there was IN the
'sFor many years." said Mr.. Allen. 81
have been on terms of intimacy with the
distinguished sons Of Cuba, and during the
last revolution, which began in 1868 and
ended in the treaty of Zanjon in 1878. was
q member of the Cuban League of the United
States.
Il arm in favor of putting an end to Span
ish tyrany in Cuba, both for humanity's
sake and for my countrys advantage. As
man and as an American, believe | am
called upon TO do all in my power to further
this end. The Suns series of Havana let
ters have made known the present lament
able state of that once beautiful and pros
porous island. The governments officials
go 10 Cuba with the sole and express pur-
pose of making fortune out of the general
wreck. The police afe lesgued with the
bandits, and as your correspondent ex-
presses it, there is reign of terror in the
island All sorts of abuses have been COM
mitted during the state of siege. Innocent
men have been imprisoned and put TO tor
ture, as in the days of the inquisition.
Despotism is running the island, and il is
our duty to help her; TO stretch forth =
friendly hand to her, as France did TO u.s.
Cuba is under the sway OF an oligarchy.
formed by q number OF Spaniards, who
have acquired their wealth by the impor-
tation of negroes during the time of slavery;
by appropriating the property of the Cuban
patriots, whose estates were contiscated by
the government, and by nepotism and ia
yoritism. The Cubans are excluded from
all part in the government and administra-
tion of their country, as all the places are
occupied by ignorant 'pininsulares, who,
for purposes OF plunder, are sent over from
Spain by the thousand.
The financial situation cannot be worse.
There is but one bank on the island, the
Spanish Bank, and though there is another,
called the Bank of Commerce, il counts for
nothing, as it is governed by the same di-
rectors. As there is no circulating capital
on the island, the planters are unable TO Sc
cure money for their most pressing needs.
for the little money that is deposited in the
banks is hardly sufficient to satisfy the de
mands of the oligarchy's favorites. The
Cuban planters are therefore pushed to the
wall. The Cubans are fully convinced that
with Spain for leader they can only go
from bad to worse and as they are not in O
position to secure their independence, the
antiilisns are beginning to realalize that
their only hope is annexation to our
country.
"They have not taken any decided step
In this direction, because they fear our peo-
pie will not approve the idea. But know
better. am in position that enables me
20 say authoritatively, that there is large
propose not to stand idly by and see the
beautiful and immensely rich island of
Cuba 60 TO her ruin. The answer is, be-
cause they are afraid to lead the way. But
once let the ball be put in motion, and you
will see how rapidly il will grow in power
and importance as it rolls.
Now, Cuba's gain means our outfit;
Cuba's ruin means our loss While the
blind and stupid Spanish government rules
there, Cuba cannot prosper. The easiest,
most feasible and most expeditions way of
saving Cuba is to annex her TO this coun-
try. We have always been the largest i'm
porter of Cuba's products, and from us she
imports the greater part of what she con-
scmes. From this union, therefore, We
shall reap nothing but advantages. Rightly
governed, Cuba would present vast field
for the investment of capital. Millions and
millions could be put into Cuba, and the
investors would be repaid thousand fold
She is, in proportion, the richest country
on earth, and would prove to US more than
California. Don't think l exaggerate
Cuba's recources have been the wonder of
all statesmen and political economies. and
rs yet but one-fifth of the island is Under
cultivation, and her 46, 900 square miles hold
but L. 400, 900 inhabitants.
"As matter of fact Spanish rule must
soon come to an end in Cuba 1t is too un-
bearable to last much longer. But al
though the end of Spanish denomination
is at hand, it is leading Cuba now directly
and steadily to bankruptcy, and as states
can for her. And the only solution 20 the
problem is her annexation to this country.
In my opinion the Cubans are not prepared
for war Just now. ApS attempt in that di
rection, il seems to ms could end only in
defeat and humiliatitn. On the other
hand, we should neither aid nor engage in
any war. All our efforts should tend to
the peaceful acquisition of Cuba. The
great majority of Cubans look upon this as
their deliverance and tneir country's saliva
ton. The only obstacle in the way Is
Spain, and as she has already entertained
the idea of disposing Of Cuba, provided she
can get her price, this difficulty Is easily
gotten over. advocate peaceful 'scqui.
sition.
) 'sIn my judgment 500, 900, 900 will secure
this noble island to US. Congress ought to
take the initiative at once. We have the
surplus, and are quarreling rs to how to
dispose of it Here is q way in which it
may be done, or portion of it, with great
profit in finance and with great glory 10
our Republic.
Il think weI'should buy Cnbs upon q
basis somewhat similar to that proposed in
1871 BY King Maker Prim, then at the
head of the Spanish Government, to the
Cuban junts in this city. By this proposed
treaty Spain sold Cuba to the Cubans and
acknowledged the islands independence
upon condition that Cuba would pay to
Spain, in q form and at the times to be
further mutually agreed upon, sum
equivalent to the complete and final aban-
donment on the part of the latter in favor
Of the former of all public properties Of
whatever kind or description whatsoever;
and that a treaty of commerce would be
celshgsted between Spain and Cuba, mutu-
al facilities and exemptions being granted.
Were not the average politician (of course
there are noble exceptions to the rule) %
cowardly Is he is covetous Of power, there
would be NO lack of patriotic men who
would inauaurats this movement in the
councils of the nation. The fear to be the
Arst to move lest the step may prove un-
popular sits like an incubus upon the con-
science of the average representative or
seeker for political honors. Oh! for the
man who dares to do thing because Il Is
right 70 do il and leaves conseouences to