The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-06-07
A CUBAN VIEW OF
OUR OCCUPATION.
NOT AN UNJUST SUM.
MARY OF THE SITUA-
TION.

11O4Ns
Habana, June 4-Gen. Callazo
publishes, in the Herald of Rabana,
letter expounding the Cuban idea
of the situation He says in part:
"a good deal of the discussion now
iu progress shows that the real situa:
tion is misunderstood. Both the
Americans and the Cubans desire the
independence of the island-the
Americans because they are pledged
to it, and the Cubans because of
ratriotism and political considera-
tions. Between the two stands the
Washington administration, repre-
senting the important business
interests involved. There is no
doubt that the beauty and rich
possibilities of Cuba have aroused in
many of our visitors a greed which
is responsible for the attempt to
create the notion that the country is
warlike whereas the fact is that the
Cubans are so decile that even the
desperation sof hunger will not lead
them into wrongful action.
"The offer of charity affronts the
dignity of our people and the gratu
ity of So, 900, 600 insults them The
United States government. if it IN
tends to free the island, should pay
what is due the Amy, in the form of
loan to Cuba, which the Cubans
would gladly and easily repay. We
do not want gifts; and the course
hitherto followed discredits the Amer
ican government among US 1t
inspires distrust The Cubans have
bee.. deceived for four centuries, aud
it is only logical that they should be
suspicious now They were formerly
taught that the Americans had an
honest home administration which
conformed strictly to law and knew
no favoritism except that based upon
merit.
"In practice here the Cubans see
just the contrary exemplifed No
one among US sees in advance the
measures to be promulgated the
caprice of the military chiefs is para
mount the people are all lifeless
factor, that can exert no power or
even protest except in public meet
ings and in the press. The Cubans
are starving, while hundreds of
thousands of dollars are spent upon
palaces for the American com
manders, who applythe military
or the Sdanish law as their
whim suggests Charity. such
as is offered, must be in any
event useless, because inadequate
Cuba will not recuperate with
out $5.0o0,000 to finance her
agriculturalists and without paying
the army what it deserves. In this
way. recuperatiou can be accomplish
ed All that is necessary is the good
will of the American administration"
When the pay Car arrived yester
day at Guines, it was met by large
crowd, and the guards had consider.
able work in keeping the people
back Col Randall made l74 pay
ments yesterday and rejected 81
applicants The payments made
today brought the total up to All
and there was a large crowd still
waiting at 5 o'clock when the Office
closed Probably all of tomorrow
will be required to complete the pay
ments
Several Influential residents are
planning to form stock company to
buy land suitable for jockey club
and race track, the intention being to
have meeting in February, continu
ing for a week Large purses will
be offered. and the enterprise will be
conducted in connection with the
American Southwestern circait. the
horses leaving here in time for the
spring races in New Orleans.