The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-08-23
A CUBAN REPUBLIC.
The Opinion of a Havana Lawyer
ON the Subject.

ON the Subject.
Among the passengers on a steamer
from Cuba that reached Boston the other
day, was Francisco Justiz and family
Senior Justiz is, to all intents and pur-
poses, Cuban refugee, although his es-
cape from Havana was with the consent
and approval of Gen Blanco. and was
accomplished ON the Italian cruiser Clio
Vanni Bausan. permission for whose entry
into Havana Harbor was granted by Ad-
miral Sampson. To a correspondent of
the Chicago Inter-ocean, he said:
II am. as my father was before me. a
native-born Cuban. although up 10 the
breaking out of the present trouble we
had been loyal supporters of Spain.
was educated in Spain at the University
Of Madrid, returning to Havana TO en-
gage in the practice of law. have been
engaged in many prominent cases. and
have acquired some little distinction. I
think. as a jurist.
For years / have favored any change
that would ultimately lead TO the annexa-
ton of Cuba to the United States. My
views on this question have been known
was regarded as a harmless theorist and
not as an enemy to Spain. Soon after
the present trouble broke out it began to
be whispered around Havana that 1 was
in the employ of the Cuban Junta. Such
was not the fact although | sent money
and other material aid 10 Maceo. who
was a personal friend of mine.
My family and myself have been sub
jected to constant supervision by the spies
of Weyler and Blanco and we were all
In constant fear of arrest. especially after
the United States declared war. When the
Italian cruiser Giovanni Bausan came in
to the harbor 1 most urgently requested
the Italian consul to allow ms and my
family TO leave Havana on her. Our COR
d.tion had become precarious. and in spite
of the mueh-advertised plenty, it was
very difficult to obtain even the common
necessaries of life.
The Italian consul advised me to OBJ
tain permission from Blanco TO leave Ha-
vana and il was with considerable trepi-
dation that went 10 his palace. He re-
ceived me coldly. but TO my great aston
ishment granted my request. stating rath-
er grimly that there would be fewer
mouths to feed when I and my family
had left Havana. We left Havana on
day at Kingston, Jamaica.
What is the future of Cubao There Is
no future for Cuba unless il is annexed to
the United States. The term, Cuba
I4ibre' is absolutely meaningless, unless il
is combined with free America A Gu
ban republic is out of the question The
illiterate Cuban is as incapable OF govern
ing himself as the veriest child. He has
absolutely no idea of what the word free
,s.,u~ hot
gives him permission TO appropriate any
thing he desires. and 10 exist without
labor That is the Cuban insurgent-
''It is not so with educated Cuban. He
fully appreciates the fact that a strong
hand, firm. yet lenient. is necessary 10 the
Lroper administration of affairs in our
beautiful island Singularly enough. IN
this he is supported by the better class
of Spaniards. Business and professional
men earnestly desire annexation or the
island outright, and predict for il under
these conditions bright future in trade.
social and even religious matters. one
that was impossible while the island re-
NAMED under the domination of Spain
II am positive that President Mckin-
ley and his advisers will soon apprecl-
ate that even d protectorate without al
solute annexation is impossible. and that
sooner or later. and the sooner the bet
ter for Cuba. the United SlatSs lueSt gu
minister affairs Itself Gen Lee. whom /
am proud to regard as my personal
friend. will surely advocate annexation.
for with his intimate knowledge OF the
Cuban, as ne exists in reality. he can
not honestly advise the experiment OF
allowing him to attempt 70 govern a
country when he is absolutely unable 10
govern himself.
II predict for Gen. Lee warm vel
come upon his return to Havana, for
never was there a representative Of any
foreign country in Havana SO universal
~ loved and respected. Natiye-born
Spaniards as well as CubanS will unite
in greeting him, and any measures that
he as military governor. may deem ad-
visable, will receive hearty support. !
hope the day of his return is not TOO
far distant
Senior Justiz said that he intended re-
manning in Boston for tnree or four
weeks. after which he would visit New
York, Philadelphia. and Washington. re-
turning to Havana when the Spanish
troops had departed