The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1893-05-09
THE CUBANS KICK.
THEY OBJECT TO TIL e ROSY PICTURE
DRAWN BIZ MIR. CUESTA
As to Their Political ConditiOn-The Island
is Tired OF tho Spanish Yoke and Would
Gladly Throw 1t Off-The Reply.

The interview with Mr.. A. H. Cuesta.
in so far as it related to the political con-
dltion of Cuba, has aroused the crltlclsm
of many Cubans here.
Lewis j. Marti, who is said to be the head
of the Cuban revolutionary societies III
the world, was in Atlanta on Friday. lie
was at once summoned into consultation
by the local Cuban Club, the result OF
which was the following statement, when
The Constitution is asked TO publish:
The Situation in Cuba.
'No assertion on Cuban affairs Oh the
part Of Mr.. Cuesta can have any V: tie,
because of the same reason why in times
of the American revolution for independ-
ence the opinion of an Englishman was
not the best of authorities on the truth OF
the American situation. Mr.. Cuesta is a
Spaniard, and as such his words are mere
ly the opinions of one belonging to the
expressing party in Cuba. How can he
speak for the oppressed The wonder is
that he has found it necessary to take by
surprise the American public representing
himself rs a Cuban. No more on these
personal matters. Mr. Cuesta's opinion can
matter but little in the agonizing situation
of the Island of Cuba.
''Of the situation in Cuba we can apty
Judge by the existence of nearly one hum
dred revolutionary clubs outside of the is
land. most of them in the United States
organized under the name of the Cuban
revolutionary party, to help and foster the
Cuban movement for total independence
and the creation of working and democrat
&c republic, already instinct with American
ideas and on the ruins of Il colony of greedy
and venal Spanish office holders. We do
not need to repeat here what has been
had or
aid. Times and World, and but a few days
ago in The Ledger of Philadelphia.
Why Cubans Leave Home.
THE existence of such a number of Gu
ban eXileS and the daily creation of Lew
Cuban strongholds of independent Cubans
vile, after twenty-five years of exile and of
frustrated attempts to secure independence
by war, is. enough to describe the true
state of affairs in Cuba Most of these
exiles. who, at the doors of Cuba, have
already built self-ruled and prosperous
communities, have left the country, not
from special persecution but from their
Inability to secure work and 10 educate
their children free from vice and criminal
examples. Men do not fly in focks from
paradise of bliss. If they could i've in
Cuba they would not come by thousands to
a country of cold weather and different
speech. Not only the Cubans, but the
Spaniards themselves have left the island.
and are daily leaving it in great numbers.
The very Spanish industries. Ill fact. Span
ish factories in bulk, are leaving Cuba to
establish themselves in the United States.
'One does not know how to begin when
speaking of the Cuban wrongs Cubans
who do not live by completely with Spanish
abuses or who do not pay very high for
the violation of the unbearable laws, do
not find means at all of living. Only a
few vegas where the tobacco is grown
and q few sugar cane colonies whose pro
ducts are sent to be Sugared in the great
Centrales, are the actual source of wealth
in the country But the Cuban does not
profit of these even, because the Spanish
government, unable to pay for the great
army it is compelled to keep in Cuba, sends
these men to look for work in the fields
thus driving from bread the natives. All
Offices of Importance are i'll the hands OF
the Spaniards. Almost all the wealth of
the country was violently transferred TO
them, easily acquired, after the Mole
sale seizure of all Cuban properties under
the slight pretext during the last war.
Now even the pittance of the daily lahorer
is allowed to the Cuban, the field owners
being afraid of melting persecution by de-
nying work to the soldiers recommended
to them by the government. Wide-spreaCs
revolt is the natural result of such sys-
ten. The timd people of the cities, accus
toned to work on the Spanish lines. do. not
see their way to the revolution. They feel
in their hearts as clearly as the country
people, who came reluctantly from ten
years of freedom. in the first Cuban repub
lie from 1863 to 1873
Ruled by Military Commission.
ITO quench this increasing feeling the
government has established military com
missions now ruling without fear or re-
straint. The rural guard Uuardia ciyiD
IS licensed to kill any man who appears to
be dangerous to the government, Under the
Rretense of abettns criminals. War in
Cuba has begun as it always does. by deeds
of personal rebellion. A Cuban killed on the
side of the road is in the island frequent
occurrence. but the country people are
sharp shooters, and many a civil has found
his account on the hands of the 'guapiro'
War; in fact. is i'll all Cuban hearts. inside
or outside of Cuba The only question is
unity and opportunity.
Cuba Pays the Bill.
Cuba has to pay for the army of office
holders renewed scand@iousy, by hun
dreds, at every change of ministry in
Spain, for the round trip of these men who
take all places i'll the administration from
the maglstracy, who live in open luxury,
spending i'll 0stentatious vices three or four
times the money they nominaliy. get for
the monthly commission these office hold
ers contribute to the influential political
magnates of Spain, deriving most of their
incomes from these colonial subsidies.
Cuba has to pay the capital and inter-
est of the debt incurred by Spain to fasten
IN the war OF ten years the oppression upon
Cuba.
Cuba has to pay for the sustenance in
Spain of the administration of all Spanish
colonies: for the expenses of the wars
made by Spain during this century to re-
enslave Mexico and San Domingo, and to
fight against the free American republics
of Chile and Peru; for all the Spanish gov
ernments expenses in America. and all
pensions of the military and officials who
ever had anything to do i'll the island.
Cuba, besides, has to pay for the great
army of occupation. confessed or disguised,
that the government believes indiSpcnsi-
BILE to keep there in order to suppress re-
volt. These are causes enough to create a
just feeling for independence. but what
makes separation from Spain of par
amount Importance to the Cuban is the
daily deterioration of individual character
naturally following condition of life where
the native-born have not decent way of
earning their families bread, and where
not the least provision can be secured from
a judge without bribery. No honest OBJ
server can deny such a state of affairs.
Poverty breeds prostitution. and against
these it is that far seeing Cubans are nat
urally rebelinS.
Must Become u Republic.
"Neither is there any possibility of keep
ing together in political bounds the Cuban
nonulo tiOu. DreDa red hy war and the pynp-