Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1899-08-11
DR.. MACARTHUR ON CUBA
Says American Thrift Is Ruling
In the Island.
DISPOSITION OF THE PEOPLE.
American Citizens, Natives and Span
iards Are More FriendIy-our wo-
men In society-sinGing of "My
Country, 'Tis of Thee" In Church
Under Thrilling Circumstances.

men In society-sinEing of "My
Country, 'Tis of Thee" In Church
Under Thrilling circumstances.
Cuba's past, present and future were
the theme of . sermon the other night
by the Rev. DIR. X. S. Macarthur In
the Calvary Baptist church of New
York. DIR. Macarthur has just return
cd from an exploring tour in Cuba,
says the New York Press. He took
for his text "Watchman, what of the
nighty' and said, among other things:
"The long night of Spanish tyranny
and Cuban despair is over. The morn
ing Of Cuban hope and American lib
erty has dawned. Strange thoughts
| fill an Americans heart as he sails into
the harbor of Havana. The American
flag floats over MORO Castle and Ca
banas. The only Spanish flag to be
seen is on a Spanish ship which hap
pens to be in the harbor. The wreck
of the Maine lifts its iron arms above
the water, as IL to the world for SYM
pathy and to righteous God for JUS
llct. w hCu tlC NdNCo III that hdi pOh
rolled over that wreck, they rolled
over the last hopes of Spain's domin-
ion in the western hemisphere.
"What are the conditions in Cuba to-
day? 1t is certain all forms Of industry
are rapidly reviving. Watching the
crowds on the Prado or lettering In the
parks, 1t is difficult to realize that
devastating war has only just been
ended. The large number Of persons
dressed In mourning bears silent but
eloquent testimony to the sorrows Of
the past and the heart suffering of the
present.
"But the new day has come. The
plantations so long devastated are now
being stocked with cattle and subject
ed to hopeful culture. The sanitary
conditions are improving rapidly, and
too much praise cannot be given to
General Ludlow and his able assistants
for the discretion of their methods.
The filth Of centuries has been remov-
ed from Havana. Not q case Of yellow
fever has occurred In the last season.
"The Spaniards and Cubans alike
look on with amazement at the mar
vels of cleanliness which have been
wrought Kindly relations are growing
alike between Spaniards and Cubans
on the one side and between both and
| the Americans on the other. All the
leading Spaniards earnestly desire an
American protectorate until the time
comes for Cuban annexation. took
pains to converse with representative
Spaniards of great business interests
| in the island, and l found there was
only one sentiment among them in this
regard. They fear the dominion of Gu
| bans should the United States with
draw from the island in the near fu-
| ture.
"They believe that In that event nei-
ther life nor property would be SAFE
1t must be admitted that many Cubans
regard the presence of the American
| flag as blot upon the landscape. They
have fought long and suffered much,
inspired by the hope of Cuban re-
public. This hope has been their
dream, and they now see 1t dissipated
just when they expected 1t would be
realized. The newspapers are pro-Cu-
ban and SO in q measure anti-American.
The leading Cuban political club.
where the Weather and more aristo-
cratic Cubans assemble, is decidedly
pro- Cuban. Doubtless also race feel
ing has its influence as against Ameri-
cans. In this respect Spaniards and
Cubans sympathiZe with one another.
They see q sturdy, robust, aggressive
and vigorous representation of the An
glo-Saxon race crowding to all marts
of trade and likely to push the Latin
races to the wall. But all the official
Americans in Cuba are acting with
great discretion. General Lee Is the idol
of the Cubans, while Generals Brooke
and Wood are greatly respected.
"The wives of some of the prominent
officials are using all social influence to
remove antipathy and to institute a
genuine sympathy in their weekly re-
ceptions. These women are acting
nobly and performing patriotic serv-
Ice. They fill the place in social func-
tions once occupied by the wives of the
Spanish officials, who in Cuba repre-
sented the court Of Spain.
"The religious outlook Is bright. The
various Protestant denominations are
In the field The Rev. DR.. A. J. Daz,
who was twice eXiled because Of his
devotion to the cause of Cuba and once
was sentenced to be shot, has Baptist
church in Havana and congregation
Of 5000. He is the Martin Luther Of
Cuba. All public functions, as well as
all military drills, close with the Star
Spangled Banner played by the band.
All Americans rise and uncover while
the band plays, and, to my Joy, saw
hundreds of Cubans and many Span
iards follow that commendable ex-
ample.
"a few weeks ago preached for DIR.
Diaz, and he interpreted my words to
the congregation. After the benedlc-
ton was pronounced several Of the
congregation advanced to meet me in
a social way. Just then, while thou
sands were there, young Cuban wo-
man, educated in the United States,
glided to the organ and struck up the
opening notes Of America and in a.
clear. sweet voice sang out, My coun-
try. it's OF thee All the Americans
present Joined, and many Cubans, who
could not sing the words. recognized
the tune and followed the melody.
at is not too much to say that many
American eyes were wet when the
hymn was finished, and that never
heard the national hymn in cigcum-
stances more thrilling"