Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-10
THE X. +. BOOTH ca.
1890 Ar, b 81. phila.

various societies Of the prpNinC"s-th' CAL
lcians, the Asturidns and the Catalans.
These are social ana charitable urgauiza-
uOns. They avoid other objects. The Span
ish colony will not in any matter conflict
with them, though its strength VIII he
drawn from their ranks. TheS, societies
of the provinces Of Spain show marked
sympathy with the movement. 50 does
larger body known the society Of clerks.
Its membership is made up without regard
To the provinces. ana includes a majority
Of the commercial employees in Havana.
This organization is non-pohtical. The
Spanish colony gives a means Of outlet Tor
the nationality Of its members.
Bishop Of Havana at the Head.
The bishop of Havana is honorary presi-
dent Of the Spanish colony. Some of the
opponents OF the organization were good
enough to apologize for him and to explain
that he had accepted the honor under
misapprehension. The bishop, who is capa-
BILE of speaking for himself. has made no
such statement. He has disclaimed any
purpose of hostility to American rule in the
organization of the Spanish colony. has is
sued his pastoral letter counseling accept
ance of constituted authority and will
make the call on Gen. Brooke which his
position requires. But he Will not apollo
gize for seeking to keep alive the senti-
ment of Spanish nationality. He is a
stanch Spaniard, and he expects to return
to the peninsula. Last month he made an
ecclesiastical journey to the interior of the
island In the places he visited the Span
lsh colony gained vitality. In Havana il
will not be weakened 10y any act that has
MS sanction.
To Continue As Spanish Subjects.
At the onset a difference of opinion ex-
listed as to whether the members of the
Spanish colony should be limited to those
who proposed 10 retain their allegiance to
the peninsula. The treaty of Paris gives a
year in which Spaniards I'm Cuba can make
up their minds on that point. The moder-
ates urged that this being So the re was no
reason why a qualification should be made
at this period. The Spanish residents could
be organized and their influence centralized
without anticipating the question Of ciu-
zenship This view had little support.
Newspapers which sought to urge il found
themselves far behind the procession. Some
OF them made wild jumps to reach the
front The Spanish colony as at present
constituted is made up of Spanish subjects
in Cuba who are expected to continue Span
ish subjects. This does not mean that they
will not change their minds within a
twelvemonth. There is nothing binding in
the registry of this society. Its members
can Withdraw before the end of the year.
Some are almost certain to do that with
either the purpose of advocating anneNa-
ton to the United States or an independent
Latin state. In the meantime they will ne
an integral Spanish force.
An Obstacle 10 Americanization.
1t is not probable that this colony" will
at any time have a membership of the
actual majority of Spaniards. Many who
have nothing to do with it will when the
times comes elect TO remain subjects of the
peninsula. But 1t is already apparent that
20 society will be formed which can stand
against this dominating one. A large els-
ment which will no. be members will sym-
pathize with its objects. There will be the
common basis of language traditions and
religion. While the ultimate result may
stand bar in the Americanization Of
Cuba. no criticism can be made Of its pres
ent attitude. American aul horitV is re-
spected. Individual Spaniards NAV secret
~ incite to disorder but the Spanish colony
class is not doing So II is cnunseling
peace and order. There is nothing OF which
the military authorities complain or OF
which they need take official notice If the
Spanish colony is sullen, that SulIenness is
sincere and natural 1t is more praise
worthy than the serviity and crnging adj
ulation of small section OF the Spanish
classes.
balance.
The Spanish colony in its relation 10 the
CUbans has been a useful balance. The vio-
lont insurgents have been moderated by
the knowledge of its existence. Their lead
ers have counseled them that the war is
over, and that henceforth they must follow
Gomezs injunction and all Of Spanish blood
be brothers. The rapprochement between
the volunteers and the insurgents cannot
be said to have taken place. They are not
yet cordial toward one another. But their
antagonism is less marked than il was a
month ago l write this notwithstanding
the evidences of ill-feeling which
shown before American control began and
some exhibitions OF resentment which have
been witnessed since then. In effect, the
Spanish colony says to the Cubans: If 4
you treat well we may be with you
later" After the bishop of Havana re-
turns to Spain IL Will not be surprising to
see the Spanish colony turning to Maxine
Gomez for guidance. -