The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-31
LITTLE WAR IN CUBA
OSCAR HENDERSON RETURNS FROM
THE ISLAND Of SPANISH ,IIsRULE.
Thinks the Insurrection Is Tame
Affair-Dressmnkers Pay Taxes
on Their Signs.

Ex-Auditor of State j. o. Henderson and
wife, arrived home yesterday noon after
a months trip in the South, week of
which time was spent In Cuba. The trip
to Cuba was made in company with Rufus
Mckee and daughter of Logansport. who
joined Mr.. and Mrs. Henderson at Tampa,
Fla. The party left Cuba three weeks ago.
while the fighting was going on in the
interior.
How is the rebellion regarded in Cuba, =
Mr.. Henderson was asked.
Those whom I met do not even call it
a rebellion, but speak of it as an insur-
rection. They give me affair mt re
consideration than we here gave the Brook
Ign street-car strike. At Havana whore
we spent our time, the people do not re-
gard the inSurrection as a successful move
ment, for the reason that it lacks backing.
There seems to be no organic ltion FL out
it. 1t was claimed that the reports received
were all from the Spanish standpoint and
not true. 1 do not know if this be so,
but 1 do believe the accounts received here
are exaggerated
Ibid the Cubans whom you met seem sat
isfied with their condition.
.'No, they all expressed the wish of see
ing Cuba Independent sometime and those
with whom / talked said if any country
was to be protector of Cuba they pre-
ferred it to be the United States. They
seemed very friendly to this country and
said many nice things about us. but of
course remembered that they were talk
ing to an American. Cuba is one of the
worst taxed countries in the world and
all the taxes go to. Spain. Every wheel
that turns is taxed. The signs which
tradesmen hang out taxed and If a
dressmaker wishes to hang out sign, /
am told she has to pay something like forty
the names on the hotel registers are taxed
five cents each. The Cubans are looked
upon with suspicion by the Spanish govern
join the army. Sometime there Will proba-
bly, be well-organized revolution there,
and indeed the present trouble may grow
into such, but from what | could learn at
Havana the present trouble is insignifi-
can't
Speaking of Florida Mr.. Henderson said:
1.-THE frosts have ruined everything in
Florida and the country. presents cad
appearance Hundreds of people who de-
pended upon small orange groves are now
helpless, for the trees have been killed.
Many of them were trees which it took
ten years to develop and the owners had
just commenced to reap benefits. 1t will
be several years before new trees will be
bearing fruit. At .Jacksonville | bought
oranges which had been shipped there from
California. VioletS were selling there at
one dollar bunch and I dare say you
could get them at as low price in New
York. Everything suffered from the cold
Mr.. Henderson was delighted with his
trip and he also makes the observation that
the Southern people are learning to charge
The railroads charge exorbitant rates, for
the winter travel affords them the only
opportunity they have to make money The
cubans are learning "a few few things about
out the slightest provocation and with no
seeming conjunction of conscience.