Mohave County miner. [volume] (Mineral Park, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1882-1918, 1896-03-07
The Island Of Sorrow.


and early In the sixteenth century col
onissd it. From the day Of the sdse {
Of the SpaniAIds on tho island until the
present time the government has been
characterized by extreme cruelty and
injustice, and the psopls have ever been
voiceless In tne,. own government. while
taxed to the utmost TO pay tribute to
Spain. So cruel was the Spanish rule
ut that early day that in less than half
century after is discovery the Indian
or native population Was extsrminstsd.
10 1884 and again in 1854 Havana was
destroyed by the French, AMI in 1924
the Dutch captured the island, but soon
thereafter surrendered IL to Spain, and
for half century following. the peace
and prosperity Of the island Vas almos,
constantly Interrupted by 6libusteripg
expeditions. In 1852 Havana VAS cap.
tured by the English, but was surea-
dered again to Spain within year.
Its worthy OF note that In all the
many privstions suffered by the people
OF Cuba from war and flibus,ering, her
people we're thoroughly devoted TO Spain,
aud until the year 1929 they we're ever
loyal to the Spanish authorities and con-
tributed willingly and generously Of
their wealth 10 the parent country.
Even in 1908 when the French had over
thrown the royal family Of Spain, the
Cuban local government unanimously
resolved to preserve the islard for the
depoeed sovereign, and declared war
without truce against Napoleon. In 1910
Mexico threw of the Spanish yoke, but
CUBA was unfaltsring in her loyalty to
Spain.
Upon the re ,toration of the royal fam.
lily Of Spain the present form Of govern
ment In Cuba ~ss insugursted, making
Q Captain General, sppoii I'd by the
CioSn, the supreme master Of the island,
It's wealth and it's people, and under the
system of government the last vestige OF
civil, religions and political rights wss
gradually undermined and destroyed.
Daring The last quarter Of u century the
inhat itants Of CUBA have been prohib.
tied from holding .pnnl,c Office or IN any
way regulating the affairs Of the island,
while taxes have increased and deot has
been multiplied until it aggregated 1905
per capita, and the taxes aggregate fully
40 per cent Of the entire earnings Of the
people.
l. 10 not snrprisinR that this steadily
increasing drspoiic oppression produced
rebellion, beginning in 1922 with what
IL known as the conspiracy Of the Black
E,gIe. This was followed IN 1874 by 9
very serious insnrrection Of the blacks.
Next came thu revolutionary attempt Of
Nsrciso Lopez, beginning in 1s4s and
continuing until 1851. when Lopez and
Colonel Crittenden, with . numbe~ Of
other insurgents. we're executed ny the
gsrrote and their bodies outrsgeously
uutilated. as -
After tine defeat Of the 6libusters an
sttemp, was made ny conservative citi
Gems Of Cuba to secure an official inquiry
ss to the needs of the people Of the 10
land, with . view of insusur. ting reform.
The Spanish government granted the
official inquiry, resulting only in the dia.
covery Of increased sources Of revenue
that was followed by new and more
oppressive system Of taxation. All that
was gained ny that movement was en-.
isrged exaction upon Cuba by the par
ent government. ...
The suffering Of the Cuban people OK.
cited the sympathy Of the United States.
and, between sentiment and interest,
earnest efforts were m.de for the pur.
chase Of the island. President Polk frs.
made an offer, but 1t was refused, and in
1854 the celebrated Ostend Manifesto
was signed by United States Ministers
Buchanan, souls and Mason, assuming
that IN case OF SPANS refusal to sell the
island to this country, the govern meni
would have the right to take II by con.
quest and annex It to the Union.
In 1867 the most formidable rebellion
10 the history Of Cuba was insrsnra'ed
under the leadership OF Cespedes, who
was made prend snt OF the republican
govern ment. The rebellion lasted ten
years, resulting in the loss OF many
tboueands of lives and the destruction OF