The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-04-23
HE TALKS OF CUBA
A Honolulu Man Graduate Of Ia
Vana University.
BUT HE WAS BORN IN SPAIN
How Gomez Has Changed-Suga
Trust-PeopIe Not of Repub-
liCan Timber.
BUT He WAS BORN IN SPAIN

OF all the people in Honolulu keen
for news of Cuba, Spain and the at
titude and purposes of the United
States in the difficulties and questions
pending it is not likely that one has
so deep and intense a personal inter
est as DR.. L. F. Alvarez, the practi-
toner and Board of Health specialist.
The gentleman was born in Spain,
went out to the Island of Cuba with
his parents when a quite young child
and was educated at the University
of Havana, finishing off professionally
however, in institutions of the United
States, notably the Johns Hopkins
University. At his office on Emma
street DR.. Alvarez yesterday conversed
freely on Cuban and Spanish affairs
The Honolulu man left Cuba in 1874
and returned for a short time four
years later. In 1878 the ten years war,
led by Gomez, who today commands
the insurgents ended. At other times
Gomez, who, by.th way, is not Cub
an, was at the head Of revOlutiOnists
in San Domingo. Another man in the
highest councils of the outbreak on the
Island is a Russian. DR.. Alvarez calls
attention to the change of tactics in
Gomez campaigning since 1S68-78 In
the war of ten years property was safe
at all times. Incendiarism and robbery
were punished by the rebels the same
as by the civil authorities, or even
more severely. The cultivation OF
cane, the production of sugar, the
growing of tobacco and the manufac-
ture of cigars continued though the
ten years of fighting without any in
terruption. DR.. Alvarez says that both
the Spanish and French papers state
positively and reiterate from day to
day the charge the Sugar Trust in |
duced Gomez to issue the decree pro
hibiting the operation OF plantations
under pain of death to the manage
and employees. There was no firing Of
cane fields during the ten years war. |
Now a Cuban proceeds to the edge Of |
a field with a cage of rats. The rod |
ents are dOuSed in kerosene, touched |
with a match and turned loose in the |
cane when the weather is dry. DR.. |
Alvarez says that people unable to |
read the comments of the Spanish and |
French press on the conduct of the in
with relation to the industries |
of the Island cannot appreciate much |
of the bitterness that is felt against |
the rebels and those who assist and I
encourage them. The man who ended |
the ten years war was Martinez Cam
pos, 10y many considered the greatest
soldier Spain has produced this cen
tury. When the present revolution
broke out CampOs was sent again to
the Island, but failing to speedily end
the revolt was succeeded by Weyler, |
who in turn was followed by Blanco.
In former operations in Cuba Weyler
had gained the reputation of being a
man entirely without mercy. But even
his vigorous pOlicy-strOng and posi-
tive to the extent Of cruelty, failed
this time.
DIR. Alvarez says the Spanish and
French papers dilate at length and
upon the part the United
States has taken in the present revO-
luton. The arraignment begins with
accusation OF the private enterprises,
next the Trust and finally the admins
tration itself There is cited the Ala
bama claims case, followed with inquiry
or suggestion TO the effect that fill
buster expeditions correspond in ev-
cry way " llS OpSl dIlOIlS OI lIlS Ala
bama. Reliable advices from Cuba are
to the effect that the insurgents have
so many friends in the United States
that the armies or columns or squads
or details of Gomez have really more
arms and ammunition than they need.
They have thousands of rifles and per-
haps hundreds of thousands of cart
ridges buried, while they have no trou
bic in securing small artillery. Gomez.
who is now above 10 years of age is
greatly admired for his boIdness and
ability. He says that he does not Sleep
twice in the same place and the Span
ish papers and officials cOncede THAI
his capture is most unlikely.
Slavery was abolished completely in
Cuba in 1878. The final step was ap-
preached gradually. In 1860 there wal
issued a proclamation that all persOni |
born in Cuba should be free. a few
years later there was another rOya! |
proclamation to the effect that slaves
of the age Of so years and over should
be liberated. The last slaves were