, 1888-07-01
A PAGE.
Spain's Tyranny and Cruelty in the Fair
Cuban Isles.

HAVANA, Cuba, June 25.-"If Cubans
long for liberty, why don't they rise and
win it by force of arms?" IF the domi-
nation of Spain is so hateful, why is it not
resisted2' IF there is over 5000, 600, 900
in American capital invested in Cuba, and
in conducting business with Cuba, why
does not the Washington governmenttake
cognizance of constant danger and loss to
its citizens through Spanish misrule, and
compel from Spain assurances of fair
treatment to American citizens 80 in.
yolvedH" II Cuba is a country of I'M
told and untouched riches. and its present
possession by an inconceivably vile and
barbarous foreign poweri is a threat against
American supremacy in America, why
does not Jul government buy it, or take
ltf'-are among many questions on SINH
lar lines which have been asked through
the mails of your correspondent. Their
crystaliZation means: What is the matter
with Cuba? This question has never
been informingly and succintly answered.
shall endeavor to do 50, although some
Of the questions cited can only be an
swered by at once concediug the colossal
stupidity, or cowardice, of that which
stands. whatever political party is in
power, as the foreign policy" of the
United States.
In the first place, for over one hundred
years Cuba has not, in point of fact, be-
longed to Spain. The fundamental duty
Of all government is the protection of life
and property. Spain has never in a sim
gle instance, or particular, discharged this
prerequisite of ownership towards Cuba.
The actual and damnable history of
Spain relations to its richest and great
est West Indian possession is crystalized
to the diamond point in Cuba's dolorous
adage: Cuba es la vaca de Espana; pero
hace tempo que la vaca no da lechel'
('Cuba Is SPANS COW; but was long age
MIXED dry. y From first to last she has
been held as a dependency to be robbed
and ravished by Spanish officials at the
point of the bayonet. The history of
every succei siye Spanish cabinet, despite
the protestive force of liberality and hui
manly in all civilized governments has
been a record of ever-increasing reckless
ness and injustice towards Cuba. The
elevation of every Spanish minister of
the colonies has been recognized through
all Spain, from time immemorial, as a
special reward to royal ~procuration or pub
lie thief; his prime fitness alone being
measured by his devilish ingenuity in
wringing additional plumber from Span
ish-American possessions; and the con-
scienceless creatures of each succeeding
colonial government have Wed with their
predecessors in wrong and rapine. These
are not mere sympathetic assertions.
They comprise a moderate statement of
villainous facts which anyone in a days
scanning of international history can easily
ascertain.
The revolt agoinst this scandalous mis-
rule by most of SPANS North and South
American colonies was practically stimuli
%taneous, aud, because such, secured i'm
portant moral and material aid from Eng
land and the United States, and was sue
cessful. Witness the result: A chain of
splendid free republics to the south of US,
SO closely in sympathy with all progress
and aspiration through liberty, that free
dom from despotism on the American
continent unless it remain in Cuba) is
forever assured.
Because of the indescribable natural
luxuriance and incalculable natural wealth
Of Cuba; because this particular golden
COW of Spain could longest sustain an in
terminable stripping; because those who
hoped for Cuba ever looked forward for
some sort of relief from the United
States, the federation of intolerable condi-
tons here continued longer than in other
Spanish-American colonies. Then came
the revolution of 1868. All considerations
OF Justice aside, whether that memorable
struggle for independence deserved sub.
s%tantial and complete recognition by the
nations or not, is best answered by SPANS
own admission OF what it cost.
The machinery for the Spanish political
inquisition and legalized brigandage in
Cuba is sufficiently unique and interesting
as an illustration OF the possibilities Of
governmental crime against a people to
warrant a brief outline of the same.
There are six Cuban provinces-Havana,
Matanzas, Pima del Rio, Santiago de
Cuba, Santa Clara and Puerto Principe,
whose capitals, Oh judicial intendancies,
are respectively the cities of Havana,
Matanzas. PInsr Rio, Santiago de Cuba,
Villa Clara and Puerto Principe. Cuban
representation at Madrid consists of two