The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-23
Juan ArnaO
Respected
ByCubans

Here in Tampa lives a Cuban nearly
90 years OF age who was the first man
to shed his blood in the field for the
freedom of his country when the first
uprising against Spain took place in
1850. His name is Juan Arnao and he
is respected by all Cubans as the oldest
of their patriots lie played prominent
part IN all the previous revolts against
the Spanish rule in Cuba Now he has
been selected to raise the Cuban flag
over Havana when the new government
Of Cuba is established after the down
fall of the Spaniards.
In spite Of his age he is full Of patriot
ism and eager to go to the front. He
walks erect with firm tread. At Ibor
City, the suburb where his house is,
he is the most popular Of all the resi-
dents Besides being a man Of action
and a fighter, Juan Arnao has shown
himself to be a writer Of talent, and is
the author of book about the political
struggles In Cuba which is one of the
best contributions to the history of the
island
1t was in 1s48 that he first conspired
against the Spanish government in an
antislavery movement He was prose
cuted and imprisoned. In 164s he con-
spired again with General Narciso Lo-
PEI, and was the controlling spirit of
ar uprising which was attempted in
that year at the city of Matanzas. On
May 10, 1850, Lopez attacked and
seized, with q handful of Americans,
the city Of Cardenas Arnao was the
only conspirauor in the island who gath
cred a body of patriots to help him, but
Lopez suddenly departed, and Arnao
had to dismiss his men.
He kept in communication with Lo-
pez, and on October of the same year be
received advices that his plans had been
betrayed to the Spaniards. He then took
the field with only four men, and near
Limonar, in sight Of Matanzas city, at
tackled Spanish detachment that came
to arrest him. II was the first time that
Cubans and Spaniards had met ON the
field The Spaniards were 90, and yet
the five Cubans killed IL of them. But
the Cubans were overpowered and all
left as dead ON the field. Arnao had
two ribs broken and was pierced by two
bullets.
When night came on, he recovered
consciousness and was able to reach the
house of a poor countryman, where his
wounds were treated. On Aug. ID, 1851,
he took the field once more with Lopez
and narrowly escaped death upon the
defeat Of the patriots He conspired
again IN 1852, and in 1866, loaded with
chains. was sent to Spain by the captain
general. Escaping from his Spanish
prison, he arrived at New York in 1869
TO assist in the preparations for the war
of 1868. During the Ten Years war he
took to Cuba several expeditions, and
when the peace Of Zanjon was signed in
1878 he protested against it and was
engaged in riot against Spain until the
revolution Of 1895 broke out. Then, on
account Of his advanced age, the Cubans
refused to let him take an active part
in the war.
Juan Arnao says he is the happiest
man on earth because God has permit
ted him to see the realization of the
hope Of all his life He says to all the
young Cubans:
my children, we have won because
this great and noble nation has inter-
fered in our favor. Now let us prove
when peace resgns in Cuba that we de-
serve the friendship and protection Of
the American people. We have been
brave, now we must be wise. New
York Sun.