The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-10-21

| NEW YORK, Oct eli Special. 1-On
by one, in twos and threcs and littl
groups the Cubans who came to New Yorl
just before the breaking out of the war a
refugees from Spanish cruelty are goin,
back to the island they love so we'll. On
OF those who sailed only n day or two ag,
from this port Is Mr.. Andrew Fernandez
an American citizen of Spanish descent
who has immense faith in Cuha's futur,
under the coming regime The writer me-
Mr. Fernandez on the day before his dc
parture.
Concerning tho future relations be
tween the United States and Cuba" said
Mr.. Fernandez, II have the utmost con
fdenco. 1t should not be matter of sur
| prise to any one, however that many Gu.
bans look forward with anxiety TO the
time when thoy shall be permitted TO gov.
ern themselves. I do not personally think
they should be blamed for desiring To
establish self government, either. They
and their forefathers have been fighting so
years for Independence, and during that
timo they have displayed bravery, fortitude
sort. AT the present time, as the dispatches
have been reciting from day TO day, they
arc restraining themselves from the com
mission of violent acts under the most ag
gravating circumstances, that all the
world may see and learn their capability
To establish and maintain safe and stable
government.
Annexation Sure 10 Come.
You must not understand from this
that l am against annexation. On the
other hand, firmly believe, first, that il
will inure to the greatest benefit so far as
the Cubans arc concerned, and, second,
that they will themselves ask for &c in
their own good time
But before that they should lave an
opportunity, under an American protec-
torate, of course, to demonstrate their
ability for self government. The need for
the American protectorate is obvious;
without it there would be danger both
from without and within and without it
capital Will never venture into Cuba. But
it should be n protectorate and not a mill
tary government, and it should last for
considerable time. Meanwhile the influx
of American capital and of immigration
from the United States and other coun-
and the revival Of old ones; the building
Of railroads; close and unrestricted inter
course between Americans and Cubans-
all these things will work for the annexa-
tion cause. BY the time the protectorate
has served its purpose by bringing to the
island such degree of prosperity as 1T has
never known--the Cubans themselves will
be more than ready to vote for annexation
by an overwhelming majority
And IL they shall be able to show their
fitness to enter the Union as citizens of a
free and sovereign state instead of dwcIlers
In dependent colony, the dreams of those
who cry for Cuba Libre' and those who
believe In annexation will both be fully
realized.
The Cuban Central Railway.
Zone of the most important enterprises
that can possibly be inaugurated in Cuba"
continued Mr.. Fernandez, lis the build |
Ing of the Cuban Central railway. It will |
do more to unity and develop the island |
than anything elso possibly can. 1t has |
been the hope of progressive Cubans for
many years that such n road would be
built, and tho strongest possible represen-
'atiensF Regarding its great value to all
concerned have repeatedly been made to
he Spanish government
But these representations have been of
10 avail whatever The authorities have
Invariably admitted the truth OF all that
has been said In behalf of the railroad, but
lave never had the foresight to go ahead
md build it. Now the Cubans are glad
{ wasn't built, for had there been a
,entral railway I'm existence at the begin
ling OF tho last uprising, IL could have
cen crushed in the space of a few DAYS or
weeks at most, and Cubans understand
hat full well. With such n railroad reach
ng from end To end of the island the gov
could have concentrated the
roops wherever their presence was desired
short notice. the movement of supplies
'ould have been simple matter, and It
Iould have been impossible for the half
farved, poorly equipped insurgent forces
D withstand the regulars at all.
'As 10 was, the Spanish army was tre-
lendously handicapped. It was impossi-
10 TO follow tho Insurgents any great dis.
,nce from the seashore and the larger
tics since the regular troops could not
lake any progress worth speaking of
ithout the railroad, while the insurgents.
= reason OF their ability TO move freely
trough the wilderness and their perfeto
nowlcdgo Of the country, possessed ad-
,ntagos that fully Offset the ovcrw helm
Il superiority Of numbers and equipment 9
ljoyed by the governme forces.
Hsvann's Harbor.
Mr.. Fernandez believes that American
nitation will completely transform tho
ties OF Cuba from veritable pest holes 20
aces Of unusual heslthfulnoss and salu.
fly.
." The cleansing Of Hsvsna's harbor,"
i'll he, "is matter OF imperative neces.
", but " need not DO found TO be nearly
difficult rs some seem 60 suppose.
aborate dredging will not be necessary,
"a all talk of cleaning IL out by mechan-
NJ means Is based upon inisapprchension
the facts IL tho case. Once create a cur
ne through the harbor, and II will cleanse I
elf
q How can this I've done, seeing that the