The Progress. (Shreveport, La.) 1892-1900, 1896-02-29
CUBA'S ANNIVERSARY
ONE YEAR OF THE REVOLUTION
HAS PASSED.
The Cuban Revolutionary Clubs OF New
York Celebrate the Anniversary of the
First Year 81 the Patrlotf Struggle for
Independence and Freedom.

NEW 1OFK, + ED. Zo.-Cnpan reNOlu-
tiOnary clubs last night celebrated
their first anniversary. One year ago
patriotic Cubans took up arms against
Spain. The Revolutionary club Of this
city held a grand mass meeting at
Chickering hall and the place was
crowded to It's utmost capacity.
Many Of those in attendance were
ladies. They were dressed in deep
mourning, indicating that relatives or
friends had given up their lives to the
cause OF Cuban independence.
Over the speakers stand tloated the
new Cuban flag, or INV colors adopted
by the revolutlOnists, red, white and
blue with a red diamond at the staff
end, in the center Of which Is a white
star. At the rear of the stage were
the names Of the dead heroes who have
given up their lives for the liberation
OF Cuba within the last year with the
picture of Gen, Marti in the center.
The speakers who occupied seats on
the platform were Juan Fraga, chair
man Of the meeting: Enrique Jose Var
ona, Enrique Jose Trujillo, Dr.. Eusebio
Hernandezand Dr. Joaquin Costello,
special commissioner from Cuba.
All except one of the speeches were
IN the Spanish language and the ap-
plause was frequent and long when
Gen. Weyler was scored
The first speaker was Senior VarOna,
who said: The movement began on
the Gath Of February, 1895, is a great
revolution because 1t springs from the
depth of Cuban SOcie;.- and because it
began by being economical, rather than
political. Spain has carried to such
an extreme her system of p,under that
for the colony the severing of the
shackles that bind her to the mother
country is question Of life or death.
"rhe consequence is that the revolu-
tiCn must be prosecuted in &. spirit en-
tirely neutrality-suspicious. is to say
and Spanish. The economic regime i'm
posed upon Cuba by Spain was based
upon monopoly. The regime which
Cuba must adopt for herself has been
based on liberty in order that the cur
rent of mercantile transactions should
float through their natural channels
to their natural markets. The political
regime to which Spain has subjected
Cuba IS purely personal and military.
The regime which Cuba seeks is thor
oughly popular and democratic. r.
responsibility is the attribute of Span
ish functionares. Absolute response
bility should be the attribute Of the
servants of the Cuban people.
Cuba has armed her sons, not to
make soldiers Of them, but that they
should win the title of free citizens.
This war in Cuba is and should be only
an accident. Through her terrible sac
rifices Cuba seeks state of independ-
ACE. But Spain had done and will
tVAtinue to do her utmost to keep her
in subsection and break the spirit of
her patriots. This was the meaning
Of her sending out the Tyrant Weyler
to take command Of her army. 1t is
declaration that Spain is resolved
to prosecute the war to the bitter end.
To this barbarous resolve Cuba will
oppose her strong and stern determine
ton to achieve her victory at what
ever cost. And If everything should go
against her she is ready to sacrifice her
last son and leave the enemy in posses
sion of nothing but ruins"
3enor Villeueda, a lawyer from Ha-
vaha, in a brief speooh depicted with
great force the privations Of the Cuban
armies On the field and declared that
money alone was wanted to make the
war for liberty glorious success.
After his speech a collection was
taken up and large amount of money
was given, six good sized baskets being
soon filled with American greenbacks.
President Palma, although present,
on account of slight illness, was un-
able to speak.