Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-17
HAVANA NEWSPAPERS.
CONTINUED from First Page.)
dated Matanzas or Sagua or Trinidad ap-
pear in La Lucha.' and then blank quar-

dated Matanzas or Sagua or Trinidad ap-
pear in La Lucha," and then a blank quar-
ter third of a column stareS its readers
In the face. they know what this means.
La Lucia" has had some interesting war
news. which has been too favorable to the
insurgents and the censor has cut it out.
Not having miscellany to fill up, or not
caring to fill up with miscellany, the paper
comes out with those blank spaces in its
columns. La Lucha'' has been called the
personal organ of General Weyler. 1t
seems to follow pretty closely Weyler'S
ideas. and nothing unfriendly to him ever
slips into its columns. Nevertheless, La
Lucha' is enterrrising, and by this appar-
ent support OF Weyler it manages to prin;
a great many articles which would other
wise not get past the censor La Lucha's'
editorial style Is breezy and snappy. The
paper is itself a free lance. 1t attacks
many of the abuses growing out of the mill
tary system, and has been fierce in uncov-
erlng corrupt.ng, whether the municipal or
military. 1t has also done something to
mitigate the horrors of the plague spots
at Guines and other places where the paci-
ficos are camped. San Miguel, the editor
of La Lucha believes in personal journal
ism He fights duelS. The walls of his
office are adorned with weapons of all kinds
and rom all countries. To callers who are
obstreperous in demanding the retrac ton
he offers the wide choice of weapons.
nave been told that San Miguel is at heart
an annexationist, and that he looks to see
Cuba under the stars and stripes. This is
doubtful. He is thorough Spanard who
recognizes the abuse of his own govern
ment. but has no faith in the Cubans. If
he leans toward annexation to the United
States, it is only as choice between Gu
ban independence and American sovereign
ty.
LA Union CONSTITUTIONAL"
La Union Constitucianal' is the ogan of
the tories. 1t is fiercely loyal, is against
amnesty, gives the reforms cold support
al he e
rule movement. La Union Constitutional"
represents the higher Spanish official
classes, the merchants and the army 1t
engages in daily controversies with La Lu-
cha and 'D.ario," because of their liberal
tendencies. Its news is somewhat meager
us editorial articles are well written, but
duh. 1t blazes forth constantly and fierce
iy against the United States. La Union"
claimed the lions share of the credit for
driving out Martinez Campos when the old
general was trying to save Cuba to Spain
by getting all parties to agree to a com
prehensive system of reforms. The auton-
omistas and the feformistas supported
him. but the Union Constitucio aals who
We're Bourbons, built fire in his rear and
ne had to go home.
"EI COmcrciO."
ri Concrete is another fiercely loyal
Spanish paper. 1t is not much of a news
paper. and represents no distinct political
party. 1t is known as the organ of the
volunteers and the middle-class Spaniards
The volunteers are composed of the young
feIlows who are clerks in the shops and
oHces Ihey have more loyalty than dis
cretion 1t is Eel Concrete which abuses
the American consuls savagely and which
advises splitting a hundred times in the
faces of the Americans
"EI Pals"
lei Pals is an able and dignified journal.
1t is the organ of the autonomistas Its
articles are well written, and much dis
examination is shown in the matter it pub
fishes. Ell Pals has had some of the
ablest literary men in Cuba on its staff
ana 1t still maintains a high literary cnar-
acter. Its discussion of European poiitics
Is especially good. The ablest article l
have seen on the outcome of the war be-
tween Greece and Turkey appeared III Ell
Pals. 1t was philosophical and his
torical disquisition not surpassed by any
thing found in the dailies of London Paris
or Eerlin on the same subject Before the
lnsurrection broke out, and when he a,-
tonomlst movement gave great promise
FL Pals was a very influential journal
Now 1t suffers because of the depression
of the Weyler censorship and because tn,
once-powerful party 1t represented is scat
tered and broken. Half the autononjsts
are said to be in the insurgent ranks and
the other half are keeping very quiet while
the war lasts. Under these circumstances
the journal representing their views is
naturally quiet and its columns are rather
ilfeless. The war news it publishes IS most
~ recapitulation of official reports and is
SO designated. All the while "El PAS
Keeps up brave fight against La Union
CONSTITUTIONAL, and its controversial arti-
cles show high ability in political discus
sion.
"El AvisndOr Commercial,
Ell Avisador Commercial" or the Com
mercial Advertiser, is described by its
M e.
politics. and has little to say on the exist
ing troubles. There are two or three week
ly papers in Havana, but they are Of no
great consequence.
The Madrid papers have a comparatively
large circulation. Eel impartial and Eel
Heraldo' are eagerly read, and they do
much toward shaping public opinion The
picture papers from Madrid also exer Use
a direct influence. Negro y Blauco" or
Black and White, while not devoted espe-
claily to public affairs, sometimes hits off
the popular idea. 1t is, however to Don
QulXote' that the gaze is turned in look
ing for cartoons or caricatures. The carl
catures seem very coarse bu. they appar-
entity please the Spanish reading pubic
The hog is the favorite way of represent
Ing an American statesman. Gratitude
does not seem to be part Of The Spanish
character, as seen in cdcicatlIre The
American public man who has shown
friendship toward Spain is still a hog T. 18th
a ring in his snout
The Barcelona illustrated papers also cir
culate largely in Havana, and seem to
have considerable influence.
CHARLES PEPPER.