The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-04-12
COL. TENTS VIEWS ON CUBA.
HAS LITTLE Use ron THE CyBAxs
AFTER SEEING THEM.
OOee. and lmm edfately Practice
all the Corruption of the Ola
spanish Regime-Haae Amerfcans.

WASHINGTON. April iI--Coi- James
Hamilton Lewis mas a very poor opinion
OF the CQbans. and regards th- condition
Of affairs in the island as anything but
eEcouTa gfng. Col. Lewis visited the IsiaEd
In company with u number " congress
men. and although the trip was for phi
vate purposes, X Partook somewhat OF an
oTgcial character. Owing to the position
occupied by the members Of the party,
they were extended every courtesy and
given exceptional facilities for ooserva-
ton.
Il cannot see any hope for Cuba except
In annexation said Col. Lewis while in
Washington recently. They VIII never
be able 10 form a stable government cora
who recognize this fact and are hoping for
annexation, but the majority are against
IT, The Spaniards are. strange 10 say,
more favorable to annexation than the
middle and lower classes. This Is because
the Spa ntards OWL most OF the property
and recognize the fact tina. a government
By the Cu5ans means robbery and oppres-
sion
Divided Into Glasses.
The Cuhsns are divided into number
OF classes. First comes the Spaniari, who
formerly held the offices and enjoyed the
enoiuments. He owns the property and
nn3pes TO remain Ia peaceful possession.
Then come the middle Classes. VINO keep
the shops ard also own some property. The
next class is the farming element, with a
part OF them owning their plantations. AID
classes. Every one in Cuoa wants an Of
nce--the Spaniards because they have al
ways had them and know the money 10
be made by officeholders. the others be-
cause they have never had them.
ut was supposed that when the Span
ish left Cuba the country was to be turned
over to the natives. and even the farmers
came to the city TO seek office. Associated
with the holding of office in the minds
OF the Cubans are the fees and brides
which can be had through the office. They
also long for the applause: the huzzahs,
the bowling and scraping before the Of
fetal the gold lace and trappings, the pal
ace and the power All that they seek is
money and position.
Resent American Control.
They are dissatisfied now because they
see the positions they desired being taken
by the Americans and no chance OF at
tanning their ends as long as the Anleri-
cans control the island. The Cubans hate
the Spaniards, and both hate the Ameri-
cans. The former believe the Americans
have snatched from them the fruits OF
their victory They regard him a friend
who came too late. Thinking success was
about 10 crown their efforts when the
United States interfered they are DIS
posed 10 deny 10 the Americans the right
10 the palm of conquest, which they con-
ceiye was already within their grasp, but
which the Americans seized.
"Cubans and Spaniards alike were born
and bred In bribery and corruption. The
former longed for the hour when they
should retaliate on their former rulers.
They find the hour has come and Is rap
Idly passing ana realize the hopelessness
of ever succeeding IN their efforts while
the Americans hold the island. To add TO
the trouble, the negro Cuban has heen
barred out from participation In the feast
OF good things. The pure bloods hate the
negroes, and the hate is returned. The
half-breed stands between. too good to as
sociafe with the negro and not good
enough TO be acceptable to the Spaniard.
Negro Wants His Share.
THE negro remembers the long fighting
the swamps and moraSses. the marshes
and the fevers: he remembers the rainy
seasons and the fasting, al, Of which he
endured manfully while maintaining the