Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-14

there ana run up to Tineir, now the
Spanish American c0mpany's mining
village, where they were put up for sale
and parceled of to the different plant
ers. The slave pen at Vinent in which
thew were cooped up until distributed is
still standing and preserved as a his
torical landmark by the present owners.
Both the Spanish American and the
Juragua Iron companies maintain min.
ing villages on their own grounds,
where the miners and their families live
in neat frame built houses rented at a
moderate sum. Vinent is the mining
village of the Spanish American Iron
company at Siboney, and Firmeza Is
that of the Juragua Iron company at
Daiouiri. Each of these companies en-
ploys 800 or 400 men, who together
with their wives and families make up
quite good sized community.
Owing to the unsettled condition Of
the country, the doubts and misgivings
as to it's political future and the appre-
hension existing as to possible repeti-
ton of trouble in the island. with an
archy and devastation again in its wake,
yery few planters have been tempted to
plant their canefields this year. This
means stagnation for an entire year in
the sugar industry Of the island, as it is
only between the months of July and
November that the cane is planted. The
harvest comes between January and
May.
The confiscation of cattle by the
Spanish troops has been one of the most
serious blows dealt the tobacco industry
in Cuba. One yoke Of oxen is calculated
to till the ground necessary to produce
IL bales OF tobacco. When it is consid-
cred that individual plantations have
been thus robbed Of as many as 800 and
400 yoke of oxen at time, some idea
may be formed Of the loss sustained by
the "vegueros" or tobacco raisers by
virtue of Weyler's famous "orden de
requisa" or decree confiscating all the
cattle in the island for the maintenance
of the Spanish troops.
Since the cessation of hostilities the
Spanish government, instead of permit
ting the free importation of work oxen
in the island, has steadily refused to
waive the import duties, with the result
that scarcely any tobacco has been
planted. What little leaf tobacco re-
mains in first hands is held at prices
which must of necessity be ruinous to
the manufacturer who is obliged to buy
leaf to fill his contracts.
These facts show in faint way the
economical condition Of the island. The
interior is depopulated and devastated,
one immense graveyard. The seaport
towns, while better Oft than those in
the interior, are i'll state OF collapse
physically and financially Throngs Of
half starved, i'll clad, miserable wretches
crowd the streets Of the principal
cities, showing Il CHASTITY picture of alb
ject misery. In the fields or outskirts of
the cities, i'll the Cuban camps, the con-
dition Of the Cuban soldiers is no bet
ter than that of the beggars within the
gates-all are sickly, diseased and
starved.
A handful of military chiefs, politi-
clans, office seekers dreamers and senti-
mentalists, urged and goaded by all the
women in Cuba, who are the most rabid
and hysterical "separatists" and advo-
Gates of Cuba libre" in the whole out
fit, suppose themselves capable of saw
ing their country and raising it out OF
the quagmire.
The problem is indeed difficult one,
but will no doubt be studied by those
called upon to do SO and a happy solu-
tion reached. In the meantime it is to
be hoped that the military occupation
and political custody of the island by
the United States may be continued
long enough to lift Cuba out of her
present helpless condition and save her
from total isolation and paralyzation
politically aud economically.
A. q. GoUDIE.
PRINTERS ODD TOOLS.