New-York tribune., 1901-08-26


their wits over these and similar questions the
Cuban press and people are making themselves
heard account of the apparent discrimina-
tion against the Cuban negro in the terms OF
enlistment. La Nacion." an independent Cuban
newspaper. edited by a white Cuban general,
thus expresses its opinion:
The basis is American and not Cuban the
negroes are barred Cubans of good faith, who
were In the revolution. cannot ana ought not 10
admit these differences. If the negro was good
for fighting for liberty. if in the war for liberty
did his color, and saw him COM
rade, in peace ought to do the same. through
the spirit Of Justice through shame, and in
order avoid future evils.
The Americans cannot look upon the question
Of race in the same way which We see it, We
obliged TO protest against the act. TO refuse
TO accept that responsibility 10 refuse to admit
il in any manner. We are few and If we divide
ourselves will he fewer: and perhaps. with
no good intention. the effort is being made 10
make more profound the division OF the whites
and negroes in Cuba. We of the reVOlu-
tion are obliged to protest at that, and. II il Is
possible inside the Platt rat trap. not to accept
such thing
The idea itself Of creating body Of Cuban
soldiers and sailors. with the object Of turning
over vessels and fortresses 10 them on the estah-
lshment of the new government, is plausible.
Nobody in Cuba would withhold his support
from the government In endeavoring 10 carry il
II in proposing the plan IL had not been
suggested limit the membership TO white
Cuhans The bare announcement Of this inten-
ton has had an extraordinary effect upon
considerable number Of respectable people. both
white and black Racial classification has long
since disappeared in official spheres in Cuba.
The revolution Of 1865 dealt severe blow 10
the sentiment which kept the TWO principal
races separate. Before the revolution Of 1850
the Spanish Government finally and effectively
decided that all distinction account of race
or color should disappear from public lfe The
Spanish Government could well take this step
forward. The idea Of equality had already taken
firm hold Of the Cuban people. White Cuhans
Of liberal views were not only supporters but
at times initiators Of the defence Of the
rights of the Cuban negro 10 civil liberty. social
respect and access to public life on terms equal
with the rest. Cuba has decided its race prob
lem for itself The races which people the island
must live in harmony and absolute equality
| before the law
Another Cuban newspaper (white) brings the
matter home to Americans Referring 10 the
una bated prevalence Of lynching in the Southern
States, La Discussion says
In his last message President Mckinley, allud
ing 10 the state Of violence I'm which whites and
blacks live in the United States, qualified II as
a shame on American civilization" This state
OF affairs has not existed and does not exist In
vent this shame" being imported into this
country. The only way to interrupt the current
Of harmony which exists between the two main
elements constituting the Cuban people is 70
refuse TO consent that the government may
establish distinctions between them. In Cuba
reIore the law there are neither whites nor
blacks. Here there only Cubans and for
cigners. The constitution which is about 70 be
put in force. and for the proper working Of
which all means should be taken by the Amer
lean government makes all cuban citizens
equal and opens all doors TO them. according to
their fitness and capacity 10 fill office. II is not
possible that privileged bodies should he formed
and paid out Of public revenues which were con-
tributed by whites and blacks alike. Qualifca-
tions Of morality, learning, age, etc, may be
exacted necessary conditions. But at
tempt should be made to engender discrmna-
tions here. deplorab BILE for future welfare and
against which the sense Of justice Of this people
and their love of the principles of civilization
vigorously protest. Visiting Americans like
Professor Schurman, have seen how perfectly the
race problem has been settled here in cuba,
white and blacks living in the greatest cordial
fly. This cordiality should be maintained and
TO this end irritating prejudices should not be
introduced among Cuban people.
This newspaper then calls upon all organs of
public opinion to address the Intervening gov
ernment TO desist from its intention. THE
United States" II says. I'm the OF its
national interests has been able to impose the
Platt law upon Cuba but there is nothing which
authorizes the American Government against
will TO impose rank race prejudices upon US
II. in spite OF opposition. it undertakes TO
Introduce the germs Of dscord among us. then
world that after restricting our sovereignty and
before leaving the island It sought TO instill
among us prejudices OF race in order that this
people might impoverish and destroy itself by
means of such barbarous occurrences as daily
happen 10 the disgrace OF civilization between
whites and blacks in the Southern United
States"
Making due allowance for the exaggerated
character of this language and for the un-
doubted lack OF any sinister design against Cuba
the part of the American Government, these
opinions Of Cuban press and people have their
importance in any effort 10 reach a proper un-
derstanding and appreciation Of the relations
existing between the two classes Of people in
habiting the island. The programme of the Ma
tional Cuban party favors a united and un-
divided country and a strict application Of the
constitution and the laws which shall be en-
acted by the Congress The platform particu-
larly defends the rights guaranteed by the con-
stitution, including the equality Of all Cuba ms
before the law. The programme of the Repub-
lican party contains similar demands for in
dividual liberty and absolute equality before the
law. 'El Mundo' a white Cuban newspaper
and the organ of the Natonalists. In which
party are TO be found almost as many blacks as
whites. publishes to-day "A ringing protest
against the organization of these artillery com
panies formed exclusively by individuals of the
white race. considering them sources OF evil
which in time can only produce bad fruit II
says. among other things:
The proposition is inconceivable 1t is incon-
| cevable because among the soldiers of the revo-
| luton there neither whites blacks
There were only Cubans. A grave danger is
being entered upon. The fields OF Cuba are
| covered with the bones of It's patriots At the
side OF a Cespedes lies Moncada, and Maceo
| is Joined 10 Marti The Americans have moth
4 tpp 40 wit which