The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-11
JUSTICE or CUBA'S CAUSE.
THF PATRIOTS NAVE ONE DE-
FENDER AT COLUMBIA.

~. IeisenuK Skaters PreE Cohu's spn MI, h
sophiatry-Hov apain Has Gobbied Up the
Revenues OF the leland. Leaving Only
Three Per Cent. for Its Pressing Needs.
An audience that nearly FLIED the temporary
chapel In the Schermerhorn building of Column.
bia University listened attentively to a concise
statement of tho reasons for Cuba's struggle for
independence. made by NJ. Louis AuRusto Loi.
scaux Of the Romance language department in
reply to Prof. COINS advocacy OF the Spanish
side in the same place last week. BY far tho
greater number of those present consisted Of
women, among whom we're many bright, foreign
faces strange to the usual college audiences,
and among the men, too, several Cubans wero
noticeable. They were treated to q dispassion.
ate and lucid exposition of facts, tho lecturer
being aware. evidently, that a case so strong
needed no flowers OF rhetoric, though occasional
betrayed his decided Cuban SYM
pathies.
After n short historical summary, in which he
showed that Spain from tho beginning OF tho
century had refused to grant Cuba effective
political ri%ghts-that where a p~rotenco at con-
ccssions had been mado 1t had been made void
in practice, that the agreements made at the
treaty OF Zanjon at the end OF the ten
years war had not been kept-M. Loi.
seauS explained from Spanish statistics
how the island was governed when the
present instruction broke out. Tho revenue
raised by taxation was $685. 500. 900. or this
nearly $l3. 900. 900 went to pay tho interest on
the public debt. $1,000, 600 for war and naval
expenses. and Sc. 00O, 900 for administration and
justice, sums that went to Spain or to Spanish
employees. while only $780, 900 was devoted to
public works and education. That is. of the
total taxation barely 3 per cent. was devoted to
the needs of the country. The commercial rela-
tons OF the island were arranged with the sole
ufacturers, the duties being laid so as to cut or
trade with foreign countries. Where this existed
Spanish Custom House officials.
Tho representation of Cuba in the Cortes is in
no sense a representation Of the Cuban people.
The electors numbered only 10000 in n popula-
ton OF 1900 DOC, and were SO arranged in
electoral. colleges that the majority consisted
always of Spanish officials and Spanish residents
In the island. a few members only being wealthy
cuban The representatives elected
Cuba SSfS s sSSe oar the 9' mean. me seh Mho M hsa neS Mini sser
OF the Colonies in 1894, foresaw the danger in
Gp a%, and prepared pa rod 2 bill proposing gS;i e, e sem5lanee
smother Satpno@y bill, out Of Shich; the
voted. with the result that the instruction
broke out at once.
insurgents are outlaws and adventures. and
that thcy are chiefly negroes. by the statement
that four.titths Of the Cubans in the field are
white mon, of all classes of society, and by
naming many college professors. lawyers. mer-
chants. and landed propriotors who are now in
arms against Spain. He defended the so.called
regular mode Of warfare in tho island by com.
parison with the Spanish methods during the
war with Napoleon, when, 100000 French
soldiers met their death. not by the chances OF
war alone, but, as the Spanish acRdcmician,
larcon, has boasted. by the dagger and by
poison. A guerrilla warfare is justified by tho
nature Of the country and the exigencies OF the
case. Tho insurgent armies have always OBJ
served the rules of war of civilized nations.
Tho question of annexation to tho United
states is one for the people of Cuba to decide
after they are free. The purchase of Cuba, |
which was possible at the beginning of the war.
Is now, after the island has been ruined. not
to be thought of. Any measure of autonomy
proposed by spain must be Judged by SPANS
previous conduct and by the fate of other SINH
lar measures. No matter how well they may
read they are intended only for foreign use, and
will depend on the pleasure Of Spanish oil Gals.
Spain has proved that her promises cannot be
trusted.
In conclusion NJ. Loiseaux declared that there
10 a higher law than that of political or material
interests. or the indefinite body called interna-
tional law; a morallaw. a law OF humanity, that
demands that an end be put to tho barbarities
in Cuba Unless we deny the principles OF tho
of Independence we have no choice
but to uphold republican ideas and liberty
against monarchical dcspotism and oppression.