The Mena star., 1898-06-08
STRUGGLES OF CUBA.
Deautiful and Prolific Island Always Subjected to span
 ish MisruIe.

NuDd IS the richest little nation in the world in proportion to it's size, and to be on friendly terms with her is worth millions to Uncle Sam. Years ago. when the old encyclopedias were writ ten, Cuba was set down as little isl and surprisingly rich in all tropical products" In those days there was little communication between the ports and the interior of the island, and the great, rich, fertile center was left to na- tives, who cultivated the ground year after year, ate the fruits, died and were buried in the midst of tropical plenty. They had no idea of the riches that lay Ill the great groves, which it was their pride to cultivate. Their only idea of wealth was that of possession, and as they planted trees and raised cattle their wealth began and ended. They knew nothing of the immense value of the copper, coal and bitumen mines there, and the valuable stones so freely unearthed in Cuba were to them only ornaments to be worn by their women. The marvellous exports of sugar cane and tobacco were things of myth and fancy, meant only for the brain of few ambitious ones, who suggested their possibilities.
 Now and then in the old days of Cuba some explorer would penetrate the in- terior and, with promoter following on his heels, would suggest that the isl and be thrown open to cultivation and export. But at this the poor down. trodden natives only smiled and shook their heads, for they knew we'll that it would bring nothing to them.
 For Cuba in those days lay under pail. A great black mantle, as dark as death and as cruel as the grave, was spread over it. In the city of Havana that lovely, palace-like town by the sea ccast-there dwelt governor-general, stern man sent from Spain, who de- manded of the natives yearly return; and to him must be paid money, money and nothing but money every day in the year.
 Well-educated Cubans knew that in 1492 Spaniard named Columbus had come over in the name of Queen Isabella and had touched the island of Cuba with his sword. Tn the name of the queen of Spain 1 take possession" he said as he smote the fertile land with his sharp blade. And for 400 years they had felt the sting of the blow and had smarted under it.
 Without representation in Spain, without even a Cuban in Madrid, the stern city over the sea, without one counselor in the queens cabinet to tell of their struggles, they were compelled to work year after year, to dig the soil, 10 plant the seed, to raise the crops, to gather the fruits, to ship to market and tc pay tribute in whatever and every form they could, without anything in return to compensate them.
 Down from Key West and from St. Augustine and Tampa. Punta Gorda, Jacksonville and other happy cities of Florida there came seamen on vessels who stopped over in the ports and wis ited with the Cubans. These told grand stories of the United States rule.
 The Cubans listened in silence for many years, until in 1850, after hard year, they began to get very discontent- ed, and in the years of 1S50-5l they got the American seamen to help them fight for their independence. They wanted to have one little corner of the island which they could rule and where they could grow rich, but the Spanish crown laughed at them and sent over great ships to fire upon them until those who wanted to be free were killed and the rest were subdued and ready to work on in silence for another generation.
 In September 1868, the whole island broke out in revolt and the people de clared their independence. They formed 9 national junta and appointed Don Manuel Cespesdes their commander in chief. For two years they waged guerrilla warfare, hoping to drive out from the island the wicked Spanish rulers, but they could not do it. Spain sent new men faster than they could kill off the old ones, and again Cuba set tied down to oppression.
 Tn 1895 Cuba broke out again. This time with the most vigorous effort of her history. She organized national iunta, with it's headquarters in the most powerful city in the world, and from New York the Cuban warfare was car ried on. Within three years Cuba showed that she could govern herself wisely and well.-Chicago Chronicle.
 Hammers Driven by Afr-
 Pneumatic hammers, driven by com nressed air. are now generally used in-