Evening star., 1896-03-25
HISTORY OF THE CAUSE OF CUBA.
Lecture by Ffdel G. Pferra, Secretary
of the Pan-American Congress-.

Lecture by Ffdel G. Pferra, Secretary
of the Pan-American Congress-.
From the New York Tribune
Fidel G. Pierra, secretary of the Pan
American congress, and one of the best
known and most active Cubans in this
country, lectured last night before the
Chancellor's Club, Catholic Benevolent I.e-
sion. in Wilson's Assembly Rooms, Pierre
pcnt street. on "Cuba-Past, Present and
Future" The speaker was introduced by
john W. De voy. He said in part:
During three hundred years the mother
country entirely neglected the people of
Cuba. and kept them in such a complete
isolation from the rest of the world that
they only knew of it's existence through the
frequent attacks Of the pirates which in
tested the coast of the island and robbed
and plundered its inhabitants at their pleas
ure. The mother country neither defended
the colony nor allowed its inhabitants to
provide themselves with the means of de-
fense.
up to about 1920 the feeling between the
Cubans and the Spaniards residing on the
island was friendly and cordial. But SOON
after, through the influence of a clique of
Spanish monopolists division was pro-
duced between those two elements of the
population, and 1t was so stimulated by
Gen. Tacon. who cam to the island in 1894
that when he left 1t had reached the point
of almost open aggression. Tacon was ami
Americans, and consequently for the Gu
bans
"Cuba had been represented in the Spanish
cortes in 1912 and in 1920. When the cortes
were convened in 1886, Cuba sent four dep
uties, but admission was refused to them
1t did not suit the interests of the clique of
Spanish mOnopoliSts that the voice of the
Cuban deputies should be heard in the cor
tes, and they labored strenuously to prevent
1t, and, supported by Gen Tacon, who repre-
sented to the home government that mill
tary rule alone could preserve the island to
Spain, they succeeded in excluding the
Cuban representative
From the moment that a division was
created between the Cubans and the Span
iards the former lost all influence with the
government, and were treated as a con-
quered race, unworthy Of all consideration.
The former became unconditional support
ers of the power of Spain in Cuba, and in
joint partnership with the Spanish officials
have mfsruled and plundered the country at
their pleasure.
"In 1925 the captain general was clothed
with absolute authority over the lives and
property of the people of Cuba, and, in fact,
over everything. for he is even empowered
may be enacted by the sovereign respect
ing Cuba. The royal decree is yet in force.
During the last seventy years there is
rot one single Cuban family some one Of
whose members has not suffered persecution
OF death. On the merest suspicion and
without form Of trial they have been ban
ished from the island, deported to the penal
colonies Of Africa or ordered shot; their
estates have been conf1scated and their
families reduced to poverty and destitu-
tion"
Referring to the United States, the speak
er undertook to show, with long array of
figures. that it Is in the interest of this
country that Cuba become an Independent
republic. It would mean. he said, the pres
ervation Of all American capital and great
increase in the commerce between the two
countries. He added:
Spanish civilization! It has perhaps some
good elements; but If in order to preserve
these all the others must be retained. the
najority Of which are most pernicious then
let us hope that we Cubans shall be able at
very early date to blot out even the last
vestige of it from the island. Not that
hate the Spaniards. for hate no people and
TO race, but BECAUSE love my country best,
and because Spanish political customs, Span
ish governmental institutions and Spanish
methods of public administration are an un-
mitigated curse and fearful calamity"