The record-union., 1899-08-10
The Editors Of a Suppressed News
paper at Havana
Have Issued an Address to the People Of
the United States.
Assert That There is No Liberty in
the Island of Cuba, and Com
plain Bitterly Against What
They Term American Tyranny.

editor, and Ricardo Arnauto. manager
of lei Reconcentrado," the suppressed
Havana newspaper, who are on their
way to Washington to complain of their
wrongs, have issued a joint statement
as follows:
Ell Reconcentrado' was in existence
long before the war between America
and Spain had begun. Because of the
radical and liberty-loving policy of the
paper the Spanish officers thought well
TO suppress the paper and for time it's
regular issues ceased. 1t was only on
July 3lst, and by order of General Lud-
low of the American army, that the
office was finally closed. Eel Recon-
centrado' was an Independent organ
whose aim was the independence of
cuba, and at the same time was the
only recognized organ of the Cuban
army
To-day there is no independence in
Cuba, and 1 cannot be led to believe.
after my experience as an editor, that
the American flag floats over the island
OF cuba In fact, many of the inhab-
ltants still think that the Spanish en-
Diem floats over MORO Castle. They
nave no reason to know any difference
The police of Havana were deathly
against the principles of the paper and
Rafael Cardenas, the Chief .of Police
ala MS utmost to have the paper sup
pressed because certain officers were
charged with dishonesty. In order that
the paper might be suppressed the edi-
tor and staff We're threatened with ar
rest and imprisonment. Though the
editor and a few members of the staff
escaped imprisonment some of the en-
ployes or the paper We're locked up in
the bastlle in Havana, for a period of
sixty days, during which time they
were compelled to break stones after
the fashion of criminals sentenced to a
term In Sing Sing About ten or twelve
took refuge in flight and are still being
sought. Jose Armas, an American cor
respondent and a lawyer, took hold of
the case of these alleged fugitives, who
were hiding in house in the suburbs
of the city.
Lawyer Armas brought the condition
or affairs to the attention of General
Ludlow, who told him (Armas) that it
could be fixed if the editor and manag-
ing editor of the paper named would
sign a document asserting that they
would never again write any offensive
matter in the columns of Eel Recon-
centrado. 1t was also stipulated that
they should not write anything offens-
i've to the authorities. With a commu-
nication formulated in this fashion
Lawyer ArmaS was instructed to go
with MeSsrs. Cervantes and Arnauto to
see Mayor Perfecto La Coste of Ha-
Vana, in whose presence they were to
sign the document. The editor and
editor did as had been direct
ed and it was said that on his word of
honor General Ludlow had declared to
the Mayor of Havana that all was set
tied. On arriving at the City Hall the
editor and manager found the place in
possession of the police, who placed
them under arrest. Against this ac-
ton there was strong protest entered
by Lawyers Armas and Felix Yznaga.
The Mayor was being attacked daily
in the lei Reconcentrado' and this ir-
ritated him so that with the consent
and approval of General Ludlow it was
decided to imprison Arnauto and Ger
vantes for period of sixty days,
breaking stone in the streets of Ha-
vana"
Colonel Cervantes is authority for the
statement that this order was issued
by General Ludlow and that the agree
ment was of such a character that no
man of honor would affiX his signature
to it.
Messrs. Cervantes and Arnauto say
they entertain no animosity against
General Ludlow, who was influenced,
they think, by Mayor La Coste. At
present Jose Martos. one of the edi-
tors, is serving twenty days imprison-
ment in the Havana fortress, while Ed
itor Jose Demora of eel Guacamayo,"
which was opposed to the methods of
the Chief of Police, is also serving sixty
days in the bastle.