New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-14
Az APPEAL FOR CUBA.
THE REV A j. DIAz SPEAKS IN THE HAN
son PLACE BAPTIST CHURCH.

son PLACE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The announcement that the Rev. Alberto J. Diaz.
the adventurous Baptist clergyman who
banished from Cuba after undergoing severe perse-
cution for his loyalty to the insurgent cause.
to speak in the Hanson Place Baptist Church
packed the building to the doors last night. All the
seats were occupied and before Dr. Daz began
speak camp-stools were brought into the asles.
DR. Daz justified the expectations which had
brought out large an audience. He proved to be
a short sturdy rather portly man. with a high
forehead and brilliant black eyes. His Spanish
accent serves to heghten rather than detract from
the effect of his words. and when he makes hu-
morous alluson he brings this accent into play
with great success. And DR. Daz makes humorous
illusions frequently. The most sombre and tragi
cal parts of his stories of persecution were relieved
by a genial humor that kept the house continually
shaking with laughter.
The Rev. A. c. Dixon pastor of the church. has
known DR. Dlaz for ten years. Mr.. Dixon talked
to a Tribune reporter yesterday OF DIR. Daz's strug
giles and achievements.
He is a hero" said Mr.. Dixon. His singleness
of purpose and answering devotion mark him
really great During an outbreak in Cuba
years ago the Spanish pressed him 80 hard that 10
escape he was obliged take to the water
plank. He was picked up by passing vessel and
brought to New-York. Here he taken sick
and while in hospital was converted 10 Protest
antsm He was baptized in the Greene Avenue
of the trustees who thought that who
couldn't speak English very well well
enough informed TO be a convert Then he went
back Cuba a missionary. and began to preacn
the Gospel in Havana. Since then he has been the
object Of persecution He indomt-
able worker however Several years ago he
arrested He preached to the other prisoners.
preached to the jailer and his family. and after
his release he baptized the latter.
Finally he concentrated his work In Havana.
and through the assistance of the Southern Bap-
lists he bought theatre in the OF the city
and began TO preach there Every male member
of his congregation is in the nsurgent army one
OF them Is general. lie. with all the other mis-
sionares. has been banlshed from the islard he
was captured and sentence of death passed
on him. lie succeeded in getting word to Dr.
Tchenor. secretary Of the Southern Baptist So
ciety. An appeal was made to President Cleve-
land by DR.. Tichenor and three State Governors,
who Baptists. The President was asked to
make peremptory demand for DR. Diazs release
which he seems to have done reluctantly.
"He is "A fervent patriot. and believes that eight
nine months will certainly close the cuban war
with victory the insurgents II this Govern
ment would give the Cubans belligerent rights he
thinks the war would not last thirty days"
In the address which DIR. Diaz delivered IN MI
DiAOn's church ! made IT plain that he NOUS inc
present Administration responsible for the mar"
work the Cubans are having TO win irdeP'huehVo'
believers are centred in the election of Mckinney
His address was confined chiefly TO the story Oh MS
own adventures and escapes. but once OF twice nc
spoke OF the war. and the applause with "h'cn
these illusions were greeted proved that nc nau
the sympathy of his audience
Every man In my congregation. and every boy
over fourteen" he said. lis In the cuban army
This war is net the uprising of O few disconienteu
people II is an uprising OF all classes OF people III
The island of Cuba. 1t IL "A war Tor Independence,
like the in which you won Your freedom from =.
spain Every cent OF II goes TO spain; not a cent
is expended In Cuba; not railroad Is p9iit wn NM
A.. NOT an industry established. Besides this
s2S 900 pay 100000 as Interest on spanish
debt The Government has sent l%~o soldiers 10
Cuba We have SO 600, OF whom about 10000 are
well armed and The remainder have tpnly the
machcte. ... ,...x.oa.
I'VE have been waiting 10 see your 1onsress
recognize our bellgerent rights. IL Mr CleVeianu
had permitted il. a great many lives would have
been saved and the war would have been ever
II we had been recognized In this way he island
would now be Independent. (Applause) But we
hope that the next Administration. when MT