Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-25
They Enjoy Unusual Privileges in
That Unhappy Land.
MANY NATURALIZATTONS BY FRAUD
How the United States Has Been
Imposed Upon.
NEEDED INVESTIGATION
From The Stars Special Correspondent.


HAVANA, Cuba, december q. 1893,
The American citizen in Cuba at the pres
ent time enjoys more freedom in thought
and action, Is respected more by the con-
tending parties, and Is less subject to all
sorts of indignlties than the citizen of any
other nation or the subject of any king.
The treaty relations between the United
States and Spain are certainly very advan-
tageous for the former. and no American
who pretends to respect the Spanish laws
in Cuba need complain.
These advantages have long been known
and understood by Cubans. and as a result
a large number of the Merchants, bankers
and planters are citizens Of the United
States They are law-abiding people, proud
of their adopted country. while yet being
patriotic Cutans and lovers of their fair
island.
But there are many abuses in connection
with American citizenship here that should
| command the immediate attention of the
asserts that the Spanish government will
ask for change in the existing treaties.
No one who knows ell the phases Of the
matter can blame Spain IL she does make
much in the treaties as it does with the
State Department in the granting Of pass
ports. naturalization papers, etc.
There are many men in Cuba today hav-
have not spent two weeks Of their lives In
the United States For req sons best known
| to themselves perhaps. they will make
trip to Key West, Tampa or New Orleans,
declare their intention of becoming citizens.
take the next steamer back to Cuba and 60
ehead the same as before. After five years
they again make flying trip to the United
States and secure their final papers.
This has been done in hundreds OF In
stances, and the abuse Is being practiced
today more than ever. Many of these citi-
pl1 vnff od
States her history. her geography or her
resources. and they care as much. They
cannot speak the English language. and
must employ the services Of an interpreter
when they go to air their grievances to a
United States consul.
OF course. many of these men are good
and upright but why should they desire
papers of American citizenship when they
have no ties, paternal or commercial. with
our country. when they do not intend and
never expect to reside in the United states!
But the worst feature. the feature that
makes the blood of the true American boil
with indignation.i is that where the so-called
"c:tizen" of the United States. with his
falsely obtained naturalization papers,
throws sings and slurs at the American
nation and people, the nation and people
of whom he asks protection for his UNI
worthy being! Every day in Cuba this
painful feature is brought into the view
of bona fide Americans but the murmur-
ings heard never reach Washington.
The Stars correspondent talked with q
"Spanish-American" the other day.
Said he: 1.-The United States wants to
get hold of Cuba, but pray this will never
be done"
But are you not an American citizen."
he was asked.
Il am, but not an adm.rer of the social
ed grand republic. / am Spaniard and
love dear old Spain. but for use in cases
of emergency 9have my American citizen
ship papers,.
Here is a sample of a large class in Cuba
who are American citizens in name only.
who still revere the red and yellow flag Of
CASTLE and who sneer at the stars and
stripes, Here is a sample of the hundreds
who travel about the island with their
authorities and exhibiting papers that de-
clare them true and loyal citizens of the
United States.
1t is but a few hours trip to Florida
ports. and many Cubans rush across the
channel and for few dollars obtain from
corrupt officials these certificates Of Ameri-
can citizenship. The island is overrun
with unprincipled men carrying in their
pockets these f1imsy credentials.
The American consul at Santiago has re-
fused to recognize them. and he will make
a protest to the State Department. This
consul is one Of the most efficient and
patriotic representatives Of the American
government upon the island, and his &C.
ton is upheld by all prominent Americans
in Cuba.
There is certainly much need Of the in
vestigation of the methods of certain Flor
ida officials by the State Department that
American citizenship in Cuba may not be
made a cloak for crime and petty spite.
True Cuban patriots now fighting in the
field for the independence of their country
and holding citizenship diplomas of the
United States cannot be included as among
those who are not worthy of being within
the protecting folds of Old Glory. They
and proud of the fact that they are ciui-
zens of the land of Washington.