The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-18
CUBANS GOING HOME.

washington, July 1S.-Cubans are
now homeward bound. They realize
now that Cuba Libre is an assured fact;
that the independence of their island is
soon to be realized; and from New Y ork,
from Florida, and from all the eastern
cities the Cuban refugees, driven from
Cuba early during the war with Spain,
are packing their baggage, gathering
together their belongings, and making
preparations to return home as soon as
peace is declared to their beloved island,
to enjoy the benefits of that indepen-
dence which they believe the united
States will assure to them.
The junta in New York, the Cuban
legation here, and the delegates IN Key
West and Tampa have been besieged
with applications for transportation to
Cuba, many of the applicants desiring
to return in time to take part in the
active hostilities against Spain. The
majority of them, however, are Cupans
United States, have contributed money
and moral support to the lnsurrectlon
since it's inception, and desire now 10
return to the island that they may early
realize the benefits OIL an independent
Cuban government.
It is estimated that during the three
years of civil war in Cuba nearly one
third of the native male population OF
the island has succumbed to spanish
bullets illness, and starvation Ihe
mortality among the pacihcos atter the
recommendation order of General Wey-
lev was responsible for the greater part
of this death rate. Now there are vast
values in property unclaimed and gone
to ruin through neglect, and during the
first decade following the declaration
of INDEPENDENCE and the recognition OF
the establishment of the Cuban govern
ment or the substitution for II OF some
other form of free government there
will be large rewards awaiting energetlc
labor. .
Since Santiago de Cuba has fallen it
is believed that the city Will be MADE
the official residence of the CUBAN Ike
publican government, and the CUBAN
officials realize the Importance OF trans
porting to Cuba as soon as possible
men whose experience VIII pc Oh Nalue
in assisting to bring about a recogn1-
ton of that government by the United
States Already circulars have been
sent out from Tampa and Key west TO
loyal Cubans calling their attention 10
the approaching termination OF the Gu
han Struggle for liberty through United
States intervention, and to the necessity
of their returning to the island.
At the residence of Colonel e F1gulrl-
do in West Tampa headquarters for the
registration of those who wish to return
to Cuba have been established. There
are there now, as guests OF Col0nel
Figuirido, General Tomas ESTRADA raj
ma Senior Moreno de Ia Tore. the Gu
han secretary of state; Colonel Boza,
the envoy of General Gomez; colonel
Augusta Arlao, envoy of General Diaz;
and Colonel Mendieta, envoy OF GeneFal
Calixto Garcia These prominent Gu
bans are discussing plans for the indie
pendence of the island and the conduct
of the Cuban government, ana are 90
ing all in their power to encourage Gu
ban residents in the United States to
return to Cuba and invest whatever
capital they have in Cuban industries
The sentiments recently uttered IN
a proclamat ton by General Gomez, that
men of proven ability must be chosen
to lead in Cuban affairs without being
asked where they were during the times
of war: that the commercial and agri-
cultural industries of the island must