The Penn's Grove record., 1895-09-06
why Cubans Want Freedom.

1t is natural that Americans should
sympathize with the Cubans in their
struggle for freedom, from Spanish rule.
Cuba and Porto Rico are the last Of the
territory under Spain's control and she
rules it as though 1t were conquered
territory. Taxation without repre-
sentation" has always been held as a
Just cause for revolt. No Cuban is per-
mitted to hold any public office. All
the officials are Spaniards who have lit
tie or 10 interest in the welfare of the
people or the couUIry's developement.
They constitute a privileged class, and
as a rule, bent upon making as much
money as possible during their term.
Spain is not satisfied to bold all the
public Offices. No Cuban is permitted
to teach in the schools. Every possible
effort is made to prevent the native
children from being taught the value
of Independence Ur free government.
loyalty to Spain is insisted upon. The
influence Of the church is in the same
direction. All the priests are Span
iards-lhis is absolute. The church is
a solid bulwark of Spain. and with the
schools it exerts a powerful influence.
Besides there is a per capita lax of
SIS on each man who must carry a Ia
per all the time to show who he is.
These are some of the grievances which
the Cubans are forced TO endure and
for less tyrannical rule the American
colonies declared their Independence
and drove the British rulers from our
shores.
In 1865 the Cubans began a struggle
for independence which lasted 10 years.
They were induced to lay down their
arms by an agreement that the Spanish
government would grant a reasonable
measure of home rule. This promise
has not been kept and the act Of bad
faith has led to the revolt again. They
declare they have waited long and in
vain for relief from their wrongs and
believe their only hope is an appeal 10
arms.
Cuba has population of about 1,G3l,-
600. Spain claims that the CubaDs are
not fit for home rule; that most Of The
insurgents are negroes and ignorant.
1t is true that one-third of the inhabi-
tants in Cuba are negros; but the Latin
races have lev shown the repugnance
for the African race, or the jealousy as
regards its social and political equality,
that we find among ADglo-Saxons
Their ignorance is because Spain
keeps them SO. Spain itself is one of
the most illiterate countries on earth.
Nearly two.thirds of Spain's total popu-
lation can neither read nor write. Spain
has not recognized the insurgents as
beliigerants. She claims that only the
negros and poor Cubans who have moth
ing to loose are engaged in the rebel
lion; that the rich planters and mer-
chants are opposed to it. Yet it is adj
mitted that Spain has spent twenty
million dollars, has sent $4,000 troops
to Cuba and is preparing to send $4,000
more to quell a few negro adyen-
turers. The rich planters re not prom
inent in the instruction because their
estates will be confiscated in case of
failure. The cities where the rich mer.
chants reside are garTisoned with Span
ish troops, who make sorties into the
country where the insurgents are in
control. Many of the rich men are Sc
cretly e~spousing and contributing to
the revolutionary cause, some openly.
If 1t were not for their large interest at
stake and consideration for their fam
lilies, the upper classes would rally 10
the support of the revolution. Spies in.
fest the island and it is difficult to send
their families TO places of safety.
1t is said that Spanish merchants who
live in Cuba are secretly in favor of the
revolution and are contributing money
TO aid it. They think business would
improve in free Cuba and foreign and
domestic trade would increase under a
republic. They see no chance for a
change under alien oficeholders bent
on making fortunes.
The courage and suffering Of the Gu
bans in their fight for liberty far ex
ceeds those of our revolutionary faith
ers and it is but natural that all true
Americans should sympathize with
them.