The Democratic advocate., 1898-03-26
Something About Cuba.


weeks after he first sighted land in the new
world. and 1911 it was colOnized by Spain
Twice has its capital city been destroyed
bv the French (1534 and 1914, in their
wars with their European neighbor, which
extended to their respective colonies; IN
1924 the Dutch took it. but in a short time
restored it; in 1862 the British possessed
themselves of the coveted little country,
holding it till the next year; when it was
surrendered by treaty to its former masters
Since that time they have held it without
contention of foreign powers, but against
the will of an increasing element of its in
habitants and despite their occasional
fierce resistance.
Cuba lies between 100 and 230 north
latitude and 740 30' and $50 west longi-
tude. At point on its north coast, di-
rectly south from Cape Sable, Florida 1t
is distant about 120 miles. In length, ex-
tending east and west, it is more than 600
miles in its narrowest part it is q miles
wide and in its widest Ill. Its area Is
43, 220 square miles, or -, $50, 800 acres
Compared with American States, it is
somewhat larger than Kentucky, Ohio,
Tennessee. or Virginia and as large as
seven of the Eastern States, Connecticut,
Delaware, Massachusetts. New Hampshire,
New jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Its population is l ,632, 600, about one-fifth
of whom (23O, ,000) are residents OF
Havana, the capital The island would
furnish homes for twelve millions of people,
and then be but little more densely popu-
lated than Massachusetts, now is. In the
southeast it is mountainous, some points OF
the ranges being about s, 600 feet high.
The central and western parts are the most
fertile, but much of the surface is still COW
cred with forests of various growth, among
which are valuable timbers palm, maho@-
any, ebony, and cedar. Tropical fruits,
Of course. abound. The chief and very
profitable crops are sugar, coffee and to-
bacco. These with moasseS, some Of the
most valuable timbers and some fruits. are
shipped from the various parts, chiefly to
the United States, and III time OF peace are
sources Of great revenue, of large part OF
which. however, the islanders are deSpoiled
by the Spanish government. In 1894 the
sugar crop was /, $50, 600 tons, and the
average annual tobacco crop, under normal
conditions, is about $50, 600 bales; but the
war has brought disaster to all agricultural
interests. SO that in 1896 the sugar crop
was about 200. 600 tons, or less than one
fifth, and the tobacco crop was 10000
bales. or one-ninth Of the normal quantity.
The decline of the island commerce with
the United States. as indicated by statistics
prepared for the Agricultural Department,
shows how ruinous the conflict has become
to the Cuban people The year before the
present war began. the trade amounted to
S102, S64, 204; but for the fiscal year
ended June 30. 1896, it was only S47, -
54S, ,610, or 46 per cent. Of what it was 50
recently 1t is estimated that the close OF
the year, June 30. 1897. found it to be
only about $40. 600. 900. or less than one
fifth of what it was before the revolt.
OF the population, G5 per cent. are
white This consists Of native Spanlards
(known as the peninsular class, who are
recent immigrants from Spain, mostly Off
cals, ex-officials. wealthy planters and
merchants, to the number of about 60
600; and about Il million Of insulars, or
native Cubans, descendants Of the Spanish
conquerors There are probably 10000
Chinese laborers on the plantations, and
the remainder of the population consists of
negroes and mulattOes, who constitute the
great majority Of farm and domestic labor
ers. In the city of Havana alone there
are about &c, 900 blacks, nearly third of
its residents. Negro slavery existed in the
island till 1886 Governmental provision
for its gradual extinction began i'll 1880.
Havana has been described as a won
derful city because of its spacious harbor,
its old Notifications. and its marble build
ings; the old city, formerly within the
walls, and the new one, laid out with con-
siderable architectural effect; its modified
air of antiquity contrasting with its modern
hustle and its dirty streets, which are
smeared with sugar and molasses-the
whole presenting picture Of infinite
variety The frowning old Castle Moro,
with its greater and lesser guns, looks out
upon the water approach to the wealthy
and in general gay metropolis, while over
it floats the flag Of Spain, the emblem of
power detested by the people who have long
groaned under injustice and the oppression
born Of q greed which hates the wealth
producers Of the island while it wantonly
plumbers them. In the great Cathedral Of
Havana repose after several removals, the
bones of Columbus His son Diego is also
entombed there.
A glance at the government and the
manner of administering it will show what
cause the islanders have had for revolving
again and again, and why people who hate
oppression, the world over, are in sympathy
with them. The supreme executive power
Is vested in governor general, who is ap
pointed by the Crown and who is nOminally
under the immediate control of Spain
Secretary for the Colonies Associated
with the governor general is Council of
Government whose members are also ap-
pointed by the Crown, but this is a mere
advisory board, without authority either to
restrain or to direct. The governor-gen-
eral has such large discretionary power that
he can suspend the execution of Il law or
decree of the Madrid government i'll cases
Of what he may choose to consider Il neces-
3ity,
For purposes of civil administration the
island is divided into six provinces, each of
which has a governor appointed by the
Spanish home government, and these pro-
vincial governors report to the governor
general.
There is legislative assembly, whose
members are elected by the people; but its
functions are almost farcical, as they en-
brace little except the making Of sugges-
tions. 1t is not a law-making body.
Each province is represented in the
Spanish Ccrtes by persons of its choosing