The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1899-03-07
THE CUBAN AS HE is.

A correspondent of the New York Trib-
une says the Rev c. B, Carlisle, chap
lain Of the Second regiment, United
States volunteer infantry, has most
interesting letter In recent issue of
The Christian Evangelist" in which he
shows the real conditions in Cuba to be
anything but inviting. Mr.. Carlisle spent
two months in and about Santiago. three
months at Songo. high up in the noun
tain is miles north OF the sea where
Schley performed that great feat Of naval
surgery, and two months at Holguin.
on the north side OF the island He was
asked to study the general condition OF
the people as an American citizen and as
minister OF the gospel. and report the
unTarnished facts just as they presented
themselves. This is what he has done.
after six months careful investigation.
AS United States chaplain he had
many peculiar advantages of observation.
Speaking of the Cubans, he says:
do not see them through the ordinary
newspaper reports. l have studied the
Cuban in his thatch-roofed and clay
foored cabin. in the homes of the middle
class and in the so-called palaces of the
rich; studied the native born Spaniard.
the genuine Cuban and the native whose
makeup is tincture of this, that Gnd
the other. / have seen this problem,
with all his vices and immoralities, all
mis- faults and frailties; seen whatever Of
virtue he possesses / have looked at
him from the standpoint Of an American
citizen. lover Of law and order. method
and decency. AS a Christian / have
stood in the shadow Of the cross of
Christ and there looked at this problem
In estimating the people he says:
The average and unaveraged Cuban is
a personified violation Of every sense Of
decency. method. habit Of Industry, fru-
gaiity, honesty and manliness. His vices
and immora.itles are shocklng-obtru-
slvely shocking. In the physical sense
he fc ,,pnIaan roet+;,,-I,, et.h, l. .h,.
which pertains to his cabin lie he is |
not degree above animalIsm, not much |
beyond that in the moral belongings. |
He is the most ungrateful and unthank- |
full creature imaginable. Even the more |
intelligent and better class manifest no |
spirit of gratitude toward America or
Americans for all this vast outlay in
human life and treasure. On the con-
trary, they make common prey Of the
army men, discriminating against them
in the petty things of trade, and dealing
treacherousiy with them in the more i'm
portant matters.
know what the newspapers say
comes from the Cuban leaders. and all
this talk about gratitude and frlendliness
Is not true for we who come in daily
contact with these Cubans know better.
As people they are vindictive, mali
cious, Jealous. Their newspapers and
public speeches are venomous and vitu-
peratve toward America and Americans.
In referring to the spirit Of the Cubans
N Its manifestation toward the American
government Chaplain Carlisle says the
out Of the military power Of
Spain was a mere bagatelle for men with
he impulses and motives Of our soldiers.
'ut the paeihcation of the spirit Of the
Cuban is another and more difficult prob
EN-. He says:
The presence Of the military power
ompels an acquiescence to the outward
orm of law and order, enforces certain
anitary features, but nothing Of this
ouches or tempers the spirit Of the ma
i've. There is no Spanish nor any other
'nemy on this island, yet the able-bodled
,uban remains in his camp out in the 4
ILLS, armed and equipped for a fight; }
IFS women and children huddle in the $
Owls, drawing rations from Uncle Sam
md the finest soil that God ever laid
lpon the hardpan Of earth lies In waste
These cubans will remain beneficiaries
md win not return to the ways Of peace
md Industry just as long as Uncle Sam ]