The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-03
Can Americans Stand These Out
RACES?

Many persons still living remember the
Island of Cuba when it was in full pros
perity. They remember when it's exports
amounted to over $S5, 600, 900, and it's
m with this country alone exceed
ed 800, 00O,O 900 in a single year; when it
maintained an army Of 10000 Spanish sol
diers and from twenty-five to thirty YES
sells of war of the Spanish navy when
its great sugar, tobacco, and coffee es-
tates were cultivated to their fullest ca
pacity. They remember the p~alatial resi-
dences with which Havana was crowd
ed; the society of the gay capital; its
Paseo thronged in the afternoon with gor-
geously accoutred "volantes," in which
were seated the beauties Of the island
taking their daily drives; the plaza
ace, which at night swarmed with the
most cultivated people of the city
listening to the strains of accom-
plished military bands. They recall the
Tacon Theatre, one of the largest buildings
of the kind in the world, filed to overflow
ing; the clang of bells, which pealed from
the towers of innumerable churches on fete
days and holidays. Those were the days
when Havana and the rich island of Cuba
contained a population quiet, prosperous,
and happy. 1t seemed to the visitor that
II there was an approach to paradise on
earth 1t was to be found in Cuba; that il
ever there were people loving the Ian of
| their birth, it was the population found
thereon. To the mother country, too,
Cuba should have been inexpressibly dear.
Leaving out of consideration it's wealth
and commercial possibilities, it was the last
of her American colonies remaining to her.
While nearly an entire continent had re-
volted from her jurisdiction and set up
independent Governments. Cuba alone had
remained loyal and true. Indeed, 1t was
her delight to be known as "Siempre Fiel. "
! She was the Ever Faithful Isle"
One would suppose that a possession thus
favored by nature, thus improved by cult
walton, of such strategic Importance, inhab-
tied by a population so docile, so loyal, with
such possibilities in the future, would have
been considered by the mother country the
apple of her eye that everything would
have been lone by her to develop it's re.
sources, to make the islanders happy, to
protect them, even to show gratitude to the
offspring which were such a credit to her,
nay, which were contributing 90 largely to
her support.
mt for a time Spain was grateful and
considerable. She erected In the princi
pal ports of the island forts which were sup
posed to be impregnable by any naval arma.
ment of those days. The Captain General
although always invested with the power
of a General In time of war. allowed the
| Ianln 10 faIa trattu tnt,nh thnt. N.r~
course. permitted them to celebrate theiI
fetes and to enjoy every kline of amusement,
While the inhabitants of Cuba were liv
ing in peace and increasing in prosperity
Spain, however, was retrograding. Dynas
tic wars convulsed her. Revolutions were
not unknown. A profigate sovereign
rcigned over her for many years. Socia
and political disorders were followed by
financial troubles, and in their wake camt
wrack and ruin. Then, instead of making
those who had incurred the burden shout
der it, she shifted it upon Cuba. L
occasion required exactions were increased
Worse than that, she not only slapped tn,
sources of the wealth Of her colonists, blu
she also treated them with contumely ant
scorn. She infested the island with office
holders from her own shores. She denied
to the inhabitants any political rights. Sh,
withdrew from them all social recognition
They became simply hewers of wood ant
drawers of water for the distant mothe
country. So violent and incessant wer
the impositions upon them of every descrip
tion that no manhood could quietly submit
They revolted. Under promises of bette
treatment they laid down their arms, blu
only to have greater burdens imposed upol
them. A succession of similar events wa
followed by similar results. What woul,
the Canadians or Australians nave lone |
Great Britain had treated them as Spail
I has treated Cubaf Those who read ou
Declaration of Independence will find Il
the Indictment which JEFFERSON frame
: against GEORGE Ill. q mild statemen