Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-09
CUBA LIBRE"' 4 DREAM
Population and Commercial In
terests Against It.
THE ISLANDS PLAIN DESTINY.

Cuba's Fate In the Hands of IGno-
rant and Excitable Toiling Masses.
The Agitators. of Separation Are
Either Mis'nfermed or Self Seekers.
lcopyrisht. isss, by the Authorl
II III.
The question of oolonizing or popu-
lating the devastated island is one OF
the most serious problems attending the
reconstruction of Cuba. The Germans
and the Irish, who are two Of the most
desirable classes of emigrants, do not go
to Central and South American coun-
tries. They are absolutely unsuited to
the climate Of the tropics. as is wit
messed by the history of emigration for
the past century. Saxon blood will 60
to Cuba only in the guise Of the master.
The man. the laborer, will be of the
Latin race, either Italian or Spanish.
An influx Of this class of population
would constitute fresh danger and an
additional responsibility in the islands
administration, which it would be I'M
fair to impose upon q people attempting
self government as an experiment.
And yet without immigration the is
lands vast agricultural aud mineral
sources would remain undeveloped 81. |
it's commerce at standstill.
As regards density the population Of
the island is distributed very unevfnly
in the several provinces. The following
figures gathered from the most r. able
sources will suffice to give an dtsa Of
the sparsity of population per soluare
mile: Santiago de Cuba, 4; herto
Principe, l.; Santa Clara, 2; Mstu pzas.
ID; Havana, 81; Pinar del Ri >.
According to the census Of asip, the
average density Of ssttlemens the
United States was SO. 16 to the sAuare
mile.
These figures prove conclusiy how
primarily and vitality essentia unre-
stricted immigration is to the future
welfare Of the island.
With the present inadequate popula-
tion, the immense tracts Of fertile soil
hitherto uncultivated will remain bar
Ten aud unproductive, the virgin wealth
Of priIneval forests, covering one-half
Of the island, will continue untouched
by the hand Of man, and the generous
mines of iron, copper, manganese and
coal will lie comparatively neglected
and unyielding.
The inexhaustible richness of ;he
soil, the tropical luxuriance of grc 9TH
in field and forest, the reliable nd
never failing yearly rainfall which en-
ders irrigation unnecessary, the exist
ence of % good harbors, and tae po SSH
BILE facilities by reason of tho islands
Typographical conformation of rail and
water communication between III points
in tho interior and the seacofst must
tempt thither the many American farm
ers who seek greater scope for tneir IN
dustry than they can secure az nome,
but they will in every case be. confront
ed with the labor problem, the scarcity
Of ablebodied men seeking and well
coming employment.
All agricultural work demands ex-
posture to the broiling tropiSal sun
throughout the entire day-sxposurs
which can only be borne and stosd by
native or thoroughly acclimated labor
ers. Of acclimated laborers only a very
small number remain in the island to-
day, and those are already all contracted
for by the old established sugar cane
and tobacco planters. Those employers
still have room for more hands.
The native labor even is not all avail
able today, as the greater part of the
men are in the Cuban army, and al
though weary of fighting aud strug.
Cling and gladly welcoming al oppor-
tunity to return to the gentle arts Of
peace are kept under arms, starved, un-
clothed and uncared for by superior
orders of the so called Cuban govern.
ment, which refuses to dishand the
army until definite expression is made
by the United States government as to
its ultimate intentions regarding Cuba's
political future.
This lofty attitude on the part of the
Cuban government does not, however.
hinder the military chiefs from allow
Ing their men to earn an honest dollar
by exchanging for the nonce the warlike
machete Tor the peaceful spade. In
stance the case and hiring out AS day
laborers at Marianao. where 200 Cuban
soldiers of General Menocal's command
were employed by Captain Joseph TRY
Crawford to build the landing place for
the American troops. each insnrgent re-
ceiving 81 pay for days work.
This sensible action on General Memo
calls part enabled his men to purchase
food and clothing. Of which they we're
sorely in need. and afforded an oppor
tunity OF discovering gust ..:sct.y how
ready they were to return to work.
When Menocal announced that lie him
self would pick out the strongest and
best fitted in camp, there was such a
general scramble among the men TALL Of
whom were coloredD. tempted by the