Evening star., 1898-11-22

CUBAN INTENTIONS
What the Insurgents Will Do When
They Are Disbanded.
PROGRESS IN THE WAKE OF WAR
A Better Feeling Shown Toward
AHmer'oa" Authority
A PIER AND CAMP SITE
A PIER AND CAMP SITE
copyright, 1898, by Charles NJ. Pepper.]

copyright, 1898, by Charles NJ. Pepper.l
From Staff Correspondent.
MARIANOA, Cuba November 10, 1885,
Between six and seven thousand insur
gents have their camps in this neighbor
hood, within fifteen miles of Havana. One
hundred of them are working on the pier
and the little spur of railroad which the
United States is building for the use of the
troops. The others promise to go back to
the plantations or to whatever work can be
found as definite word comes of
General Calixto Garcia's mission in Wash
ington. They want something done about
their pay and they would like to have
little of it in cash. When the American
occupation comes and the military authori-
ties begin system of public Improvements
chiefly sanitary, part of these Cuban sol
diers will unquestionaby be offered en-
ployment, and it will not be refused. The
majority, however, seem to be longing to
return to the plantations and to their homes
in the country. Some idle and vicious among
them may be expecting to hang around the
cities, yet these are exceptions nave
noticed here as well in other places
where the Cubans who have been in the
brush for three years are encamped that
they are not looking forward to staying in
the towns after disbandment That is the
best sign of the future for them and for
the island.
In the Days of Slavery.
Marianoa is SO close to Havana that it
might be called a part of the city, though
the railroad takes forty-fiVe minutes to
travel the seven or eight miles. 1t is con-
servative English railroad, with a conserva-
tive Scotch manager. The line passes
through some beautiful suburbs and skirts
the edges of the famous Toledo sugar plan
tation This is the plantation which an ag-
gressive Spaniard made productive and
profitable with the blood of countless slaves.
1t was once the boast of the Spanish that
slavery in Cuba a humane institution
i'll comparison with the United States. Per
haps it was, but when the reminders of it
are encountered there is the same story of
the cheapness in which human life In bond
age was held by those who owned 1t. L dld
not mean to indulge in these moral refiec-
uCns, but often in admiring the Toledo
sugar estate the history has been told me
of its maSterful Owne- VINO enriched its
soil with black blood and who died a tragic
and lonely death in the midst of the wealth
he had created. The plantation remains in
the family.
Progress in the Suburbs.
Marisnoa proper lies on the hills. Before
the war it was the home of many of the
richest citizens of Havana, and it's villas
give the best idea of what country resi-
Gences are in the tropics l have heard that
tHt majority OF It's wealthy residents were
Cubans. but do not know whether that is
so. Sc many of the places We're destroyed
by Wcyler's orders that the statement is
not improbable WeyIer did not destroy
the property of Spaniards. Though it lies
so close to Havana. Marianoa in it's day
has had its chapter of briganGage 1t was
the home of some gentlemany bandits, VINO
disappeared at regular intervals and then
reappeared and lived in luxurious idleness.
The town complained, but was helpless
INK dan oil
pointed. This alcalde did not lack force of
character. He sent for one of the gentle
nan residents who had no visible means
of support, vet who lived at ease with
money to crafty his expensive tastes They
had been passably intimate as boys and as
young men. Said the alcalde: Il am re-
sponsible for the public order and safety
in MarianOa. If anybody Is robbed or hurt
in my jurisdiction l shall have you shot"
His old friend protested that the public
suspicion did him grave injustice but the
alcalde was infieXible. He knew nothing of
the whispered gossip of the town. All he
knew was that if anybody should be rob
bed or murdered within his jurisdiction he
would have his old school fellow shot. This
alCaide ruled eleven years in Marianoa.
During that period brigandage was not
racticed d. When he gave up his office be-
cause of advancing age there was fear that
IL would be resumed, but the brigands had
disappeared and they did not come back
The alcalde, though Cuban born, was in
CtiiStIy spanish lie was formerly colonel
OF volunteers and during the blockade he
sought active military service again, so
that he might unsheath d rusty sword
against the United States. Now that it is
all oveHhe wants annexation, so that his
property may be secure. He would not
make bad Anne rican citizen.
To Build an American Hotel
Marianoa is going to have an American
hotel somewhere on the hills that over
it-Ok The Mi alt u-b
has been here for month, have decided
that this is the place for it, rather than in
Havana. They say they are going to in
vest 81 100000, and as they have not been
around seeking free newspaper advertising
lhelr statement may be credited. The cleo
tric railway from Havana out through the
Nedado will also be built by American cap
italists. When that is done ! don't know
whether or not the steady little English
railroad will continue 20 pay steady div.-
dends. Investors in the United States
however. may be sure that the English
capital which is employed in various en-
terprises in Cuba is not going to be
crowded out. Some of it came here when
American capital was hesitating. London
is very tenacious of its Cuban inves. ments
whether in railroads or in other property.
The Playa.
1t is two or three miles from the village
proper to the playa or beach, and here is
little to see, except sWamps and marshes.
The Spanish troops moved away from the
playa several days ago, and We're courteous
enough to send word to the insurgents who
came in and took possession, though their
camps remain located hack in the country
The house of the yacht club Is the head
quarters of Gen. Menocal who commands
the corps in Havana and Matanzas prov
inces. He is in the thirties is a civil engi-
necr by profession, was educated In the
United States, and graduated from Cornell
College
fine silk flag, with the single star of
Cuba Lihre, floats from the club house.
Old Glory an Advertisement.
Further down the single street over a
poor-lookng house, are stuck two cheap
looking American flags.
l was curious to know whether they were
the offering Of some patriotic Cuban, and
investigated, with results that were dis
gusting. The place is American bar
ROOM" The enterprisirg proprietor has
the flags out an advertisement. 1 think
there is a law in the states against desc
Grating thu flag by using it for advertising
purposes. The pity Is that no authority
exists here for stopping the desecration.