Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-13
CUBAN LEAGUE HERE
ONE FORMED As THE RESULT OF
LAST NIGHTS MEETING
TWO STIRRING SPEECHES MADE.
DR.. Thomas PicturcS the Condition
on the Island. While Gen. johnson
Arraigns CIevclapd's AdminfStrn-
tion-An Appeal
tion-An Appeal

dress at the Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation Hall last night. and had an audi
pncc OF about 500 OF Richmond's best citi-
zens who are in sympathy with the fight
Tor freedom being made by the Cubans
10 hear him. Or. Thomas made a
strong interesting. and patriotic speech.
and pleaded Cuba's cause in a most con-
vincing manner.
When ne concluded. General Bradley
T. Johnson was called TO the platform.
and made a strong address. setting forth
the righteousness Of the cause Of the in
sureents. Mr. John W. Starke also spoke
briefly.
Mr. II. NJ. Smith, Jr. was requested
by Dr. Thomas 10 act as chairman Of
the meeting, and presided I'm "a most
satisfactory manner when the ad-
dresses were over. the audience having
been stirred TO enthusiasm by the earnest
and eloquent words of Or. Thomas and
General Johnston. formed themselves
into a Cuban League, and Mr.. Smith was
unanimously chosen president of the or
ganization.
Nir smith called the meeting to order.
and n a short but exceedingly interest
Ing talk introduced Dr. Thomas. He
sympathy with the Cuban insurgents. and
had himself made trip to Cuba.
where he had seen the insurgents and
learned 10 respect them. He described in
brief terms the island as he had seen il.
and told OF Dr Thomas's mission. con-
Guiding his talk by presenting that gem
teman.
ADDRESS OF DIR. THOMAS.
Dr. Thomas was greeted with
hearty round Of applause as he stepped
90 the front of the stage, and after
O. few salutatory remarks he plunged
directly into his address. He first de-
scribed the port of Habana as it ap-
peared 10 him when his ship ploughed
its way through the waters to its
wharf. He spoke descrptively of Ia-
bana. and told his auditors that the
causes Of the present war were six in
number. The first Of these causes, he
slld was excessive taxation, and he as
serted il as a fact that Cuba was more
heavily taxed by Spain than any other
country. whether dependent or independ-
eut. ever had been. He dwelt on this
point for some time and incidentally
touching upon the foreign representa-
tivos in Habana. paid a glowing tribute
% General Lee. of whom he said: "Never
did q country send a more gallant or
port than General Fitzhugh Lee. He is
the right man I'm the right place, and 1
hope that our new President will retain
him there"
Dr. Thomas spoke at length upon the
wide difference between the Cubans and
Spanlards and said it was absolutely
impossible for the Cubans to mingle in
harmony with Spaniards. Their tastes
We're different their ideas divergent, and
o.,
them.
Naturally the Cubans. who are
more Intellectual people than the
Suaniards," said the speaker, 'chafe
under their thTaldOm, and they are
going 10 free themselves. They look
north 10 this great couHury, and realize
that We are free; they turn 10 their
cousins. the MeXiCans. who are free,
and when they note the birds in the
air. they realize that they are free. All
are free save themselves, hence their
brilliant fighting. for they are lighting
for liberty: for freedom from their uu-
bearable bonds
THE ISLANDS INHABITANTS.
Dr. Thomas told Of the Inhabitants Of
the island. He said that about $1,000
were Cubans. 10000 cOlored, and 10000
Standards He then described these peo-
ple The Cubans he said. We're an in
telectual people, Of high moral charac-
Ter. and the cO.ored people We're more
intellectual and more refined than the
negro of America. He had little to say
OF the Spanish.
Drifting along I'm his remarks the
speaker told Of his journey into the IN
terior OF the island. He laid stress
upon the suffering that existed on the
island. and of the misery among the
Cuban women and children he spoke most
fefingly and convincingly. He told or
how Weyler had driven the helpless
women from their homes. and cast them
airlft. to beg and starve. This ne SAID,
should not be permitted, and he eN-
pressed the opinion. most emphatlcally
that the United States should interfere
Iu this connection, he told Of indlgnities
that were offered our people ana our
flag by Spain. and said that If one half
the indipnities were cast upon England,
as uron America. John Bull would blow
Habana and Moro Castle into kindling
wood.
NEEDS OF THE ARMY.
Dr. Thomas spoke Of the needs Of the
Cuban army. Ii wasn't men they want
cd. be said. They have them, and brave
and determined ones. too" he continued;
"but they need arms and ammunition.
Il they had 1000 more rifles they coud
put 1000 more men in the HeIa. Inc
Cubans" the speaker said, will never
yield and a treaty is absolutely out OF
the question. Conducting, as they are
guerilla warfare. the Cubans are losing
hut few men. They have plenty OF cattle
in the eastern portion Of the is'and'
and can raise all the sweet-potatoes they
need. They can. therefore, continue ther
fight for an indefinite period, and they
viii win"
Dr. Thomas spoke of Cuba's ability 10
govern herself. and pictured a bright iu-
ture for her after she has gained her
liberty lie then concluded his address
with an earnest appeal for substantial as
sistance for Cubans.
Mr. Smith arose when DR. Thomas
took his seat. and, explaining that the
audience were expected TO assist the
cause in a financial manner. suggested
that those who did not care 10 give Tot
be.tserents could do so for the sick ana
wounded soldiers collection was
then taken up. and while the commit
Tee appointed by Mr. Smith were passing
the hat. Mr.. John ". Starke delivered
short speech.
GENERAL JOHNSON SPEAKS.
When Mr.. starke took his seat some
one in the audience noticing General
Bradley r. Johnson IN back seat
called for hm 70 epeak. Everybody
took the cry up. and General johnson
was made TO go up on the stage ana
deliver an address.
he spoke on the insurrecton. and I'M
pressed on his auditors the fact that
it was not a revolt Of negroes, but OF
The educated and refined Cubans. Re-
ferrlng 10 VIEWERS butchery. he said