davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26
FACTS ABOUT CUBA.

Cuba contained at the time of the break
ing out of the last revolution 100, 900 farms,
ranches and plantations, valued at 500, OOO,-
OOO.
No less than five minor revolts occurred
in Cuba between 1878, the date of closing the
''ten years war, and 1894 when the last
war began.
From 1927 to 1864 Cuba contributed direct
ly to the Spanish treasury the sum of $780,
100000. Since 1867 the island has contrib
uted but little directly to the Madrid treas
ury, but indirectly much OF the entire rev.
enue of the island has reached Spain.
From the eastern end of Cuba to Hayti is
"a miles, and to Jamaica S5 miles; from the
northern shore on the western end il Is 80
miles to Florida, and from Cape San An
tonic, the western extremity of the island,
to Yucatan is 100 miles.
Cuba is nearly seven times as long as Long
Island. 1t stretches from a point about even
with New York City on the east to Cincin-
natl on the west, distance of $50 miles. In
width it is nowhere greater than 100 miles,
while at places 1t is as narrow as 20 miles.
There are 300 small islands and keys add
jacent TO and belonging to Cuba, and these,
with the main island, comprise an area OF
about 5000 square miles.
Cuba had at the close of the war with
Spain about 1000 miles of railway divided
into a number of small lines. Since the
evacuation of the island by Spain Sir Will
liam Van Van Horne, the builder of the Can
dian Pacific railway, has been building a
new trunk line that, when completed, will
traverse the island from one end to the
other, and, with its various branches, will
comprise more than another thousand miles
of railway line. The main line of this road
from Santiago to Nipe, in Santa Clara prov
.ince, is now nearing completion, and will be
opened to traffic in the early summer, and
the remainder of the system will be pushed
to completion rapidly as possible. The
older lines of railway are practically all in
the western portion of the island, and sew
eral of them center at Havana, or connect
with Havana
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

derful victories in rapid succession, but
Spain left behind her a harder struggle than
her armies or her fleets had given us-it was
with dirt and disease.
How well Gov. Gen. Wood has conquered
this foe is evidenced from the health reports
from Cuba. First at Santiago, and later
throughout all the island he has persistently
fought the battle for clean cities and good
sanitation until to-day Havana, instead of
being the breeding ground of all the various
types of malignant fever, Is considered as
healthful as almost any city in the United
States. He has taught to the Cubans the ne
eessity of cleanliness, lesson they are not
likely to soon forget.
He has done more than this. He has
opened the public schools, and has so eX-
tended the system that practically all the
children of school age have now offered
them the advantages ofan education, and has
instIlled in the hearts of the people desire
for learning, n desire which their own gov
eminent will now be in position to fulfill.
Gen. Wood, as the representative of the
American people, has builded a government
of the people, torcthe people and by the
people of Cuba into whose hands our coun-
try can now safely place the reigns of con-
troll, and Gen. Woods name must be added
to the list of Cuban heroes whose memories
will long live in the hearts of the people of
"the ever faithful isle"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

army, which increased rapidly until it had
reached the numbers of $4,000 men, but the
ability of Spain to furnish war materials
and fresh troops was greater than that OF
the insurgents, and the rank and file of the
Cuban army began finally to tire of the
struggle. From S73until February, 1873, the
war dragged along in a desultory way, and
finally ended with the peace of San Antonio
which guaranteed pardon to all who had
taken part in the conflict, and representa-
ton for Cuba in the Spanish cortes.
1t was during this war, in 1873, that there
occurred the incident of the steamer Nir-
ginius which came so near resulting in war
between Spain and the United States, and
which did result in some pointed CORE
spondence between officials of the two coun-
tries, and the execution as pirates at San
tiago of 50 persons.
The incidents OF the last revolution that
started in 1894 and led to American inter-
vention for the pacifcation and liberation
of the island are too well known to need
any recounting here. The leaders who
hoeked to the Cuban standard were men
who had fought for Cuban freedom from
l86S-7S. Jose Marti started from New York
in February, 1895, Gomez, Antonio and Jose
Maceo, Crombet, Cebreco, BOrrero, Angel
Guerra and score OF others gathered again
on Cuban soil from different points to again
begin the fight for Cuban freedom. In time
Garcia, RObi, Rivera and others joined
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

difficulty Spain suppressed this revolt, and
punished in various ways l,346 of those con-
victed of participating in it, but the seed OF
| liberty then planted resulted in later years
in the patriots who fought the long ten
years war, and again those who led TO ulti-
mate victory the forces of Cuba in the last
war.
The next Cuban revolution, started year
later, was led by an ex-officer in the Span
| ISL army, Narciso Lopez. He was unsue-
cessfu at the time, but his efforts led final
| ly TO the attempt of this government to
purchase Cuba from Spain in lS4S- The
overtures made TO the Spanish government
| by President Polk were of no avail, however,
and Lopez continued his efforts at liberia
tion until he was finally captured by the
Spanish authorities on Cuban soil and exc
.cuted in 1851.
In 1854 came both the attempt of Gen.
Quitman, of Mississippi, for the invasion of
Cuba, which resulted disasterously to the
leaders, they being captured and executed,
and the Ostend Manifesto which recon-
mended the purchase of Cuba for Sl2O, OOO,-
600. But this, like the previous attempt at
purchase, came to naught, and the island
was left 10 drag along in comparative peace
until the breaking out of the ''ten years
war" in 1868.
1t was this long struggle that brought to
the fore such men Gomez, Garcia, Palma
and many others destined to live in the his
tory of the new republic the names of
Washington, Lee, Putnam and a score of
Others live in our own history. They are the
grandest names Cubans will ever know;
true patriots. who yet live to guide the young
republic through its first troubled waters
with the same courageous hands that taught
the Cuban soldiers to match Cuban strategy
and daring against the heavier forces OF
Spain. To this list must be added that of
Maceo and the others who sacrificed their
lives in the last struggle for Cuban freedom,
but demanded of Spain dear price for the
sacrifice.
The story of the "ten years war" is a
story of ten years of hardships and sacrifice.
1t brought with it the first declaration of
Cuban independence. signed on October 10,
1868, and also the first election OF Cuban
officers including president and vice presi
dent and the appointment of cabinet Of
fcerS
Ii was Carlos NJ. de Cespedes. at the head
of lbs alarmed men, who started this con-
1ict. and who issued the proclamation of
Cuban independence at Yara. Cespedes was
lawyer OF Bayamo at the beginning of the
war. but he was a natural leader of men,
and soon had $1,000 men with which to Op-
pose Spain. 1t was he who Writ ually wrote
the first Cuban constitution which
promulgated at Guaimaro on April 10, 1869.
For the first two years of the war success
attended almost every effort of the Cuban
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26
AMERICAS FIGHT FOR CUBA.
We Have Done Battle Not Only with
the Sword But with the scrub
bling Brush as Well.

So fresh in the minds of the American
people are the events of the historic summer
of 1898 that they really need no recalling at
this time when the complete fruition of the
objects of the struggle between the United
States and Spain are now to be realized in
the establishment of that independent gov
ernment in Cuba which this government
guaranteed when it declared the welding of
the sword for the islands independence to
be part of our duty.
The destruction of our good ship Maine;
the declarations and appropriations voted
by congress; the mobilizing OF armies and
fleets; the victory OF Admiral Dewey at Ma
Mia; the dispatch of troops to Santiago; our
naval victory off that harbor; the fall of the
city; the capture of Porto Rico, and SPANS
cry for peace at almost any price, all these
incidents need but mention TO recall them
to the minds of the people of this country.
History was never made more rapidly than
1t was made during that summer, and it was
history of which the country and the world
may well be proud in after years.
With the sword we drove Spain out of
Cuba, our soldiers and sailors reaped won
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

from Havana to reestsblish them at her
home ports. The industry had existed in
the island from l726, and the closing of them
was bitterly resented. But Cuba at that
time demanded only her rights as loyal
colony, and not the absolute freedom for
which she has since fought.
During her earlier history the develop
ment of Cuba's great agricultural resources
progressed but slowly. Her ports were
closed to the commerce of all the world save
Spain, and it was not until after circum-
stances which Spain had opposed for years
but which finally overcame her, that the
Cuban planters began to really realize the
narrowness of Spanish rule. The change
that began to be apparent in the colonial
policies OF other European nations early in
the last century was not shared by Spain,
who but attempted to draw the lines
tighter.
This fact is evidenced by the issuance of
the royal decree of May o. 1925, defining the
functions of the captain generals of Cuba
decree which invested them with prac
tieally the powers of oriental despots, and
tins decree remained in force until Spain
had been driven from the island.
Even before the issuing of this decree
had come the first attempt to break the rule
of Spain. Secret political societies had be-
gun organizing early as 1870 under the
name OF ''Soles de Bolivar" and in 1923
these societies made an attempt at open re-
volt But the attempt was fruitless of re-
suits other than the arrest and punishment
of the leaders.
The next revolution came in 1896. and was
planned by Cuban refugees in Mexico and
Colombia. The scheme included the lead
erslrip of the great liberator, Simon Bolivar,
but il resulted in nothing tangible through
lack of adequate support. The same lead
ers attempted to organize another campaign
for the freeing of Cuba during the years 1927
%, this time including among their support
ers many persons in the United States, but
this plan was frustrated through the infiu-
ence of the slave interests in both this eoun-
try and Mexico.
Another revolution came in 1884 in which
the principals were the slaves on the sugar
plantations about Mantanzas. With some
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

were their operations directed against the
Spaniards in Cuba alone, but in every part
OF the western world where the Spanish flag
hoated. 800
1t was not until late in the eighteenth and
early in the nineteenth centuries that the
people of Cuba began to think seriously OF
freedom, or rather of righting existing
wrongs, and forcing from the mother coun-
try more liberal form OF government.
England's colonies had thrown of the yoke
of oppression, and the seed of freedom that
had sprOuted on the mainland had been car
ried to the island. a grievance that brought
with II armed resistance came in 1876 when
Spain withdrew the ship building yards
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26


The beet and cane product both considered,
Cuba il surpassed by but one country, Ger
many. with one and one-halt million tons, as
a sugar producer, and is equaled by but one
other, Austria.
Cuba has exported in one year more than
6,O00,OOO pounds of leaf tobacco and more
than l34. 100000 cigars in addition to heavy
exports of baled tobacco OF less valuable va
rieties.
The shipping of nine Cuban ports, which
includes Havana, for the year 1894 amount
ed to :, SIS 539 tons, carried by 3, lS4 vessels.
The above three paragraphs give gen
eral idea of industrial Cuba of the past;
they can scarcely be classed as even pro-
phetic of the future.
Cuba and the adjacent small islands be-
longing to it occupy an area of 5000 square
miles-a little less in SIZE than the state or
New York. OF this total area less than 10
per cent. has ever been under cultivation; ;
four per cent. is classed as forest land, and
large quantities OF the remainder is virgin
soil awaiting development by progressive
people under a progressive government.
When such a people under such govern
ment have turned this unclaimed area into
productive territory we shall have the Cuba
of the future.
But to go back again to the Cuba of the
past. Cane sugar development has been
confined to the vast central pam lying TO
a great extent in Matanza province. In the
season of 1929 this great plain yielded
lO54, 2l2 tons of sugar, valued ut $50, 1000, 900.
The sugar plantations of this territory
vary in extent from 100 to 1000 acres, and
employ an average of one man to each two
acres under cultivation.
For several years the sugar industry in all
the West Indian islands has been in de-
plorable condition, but different causes
must be assigned for the condition in Cuba
than for the other islands. In Cuba it has
been the series of rebellions and insurrec-
tions that have caused the decline of the
industry. During the periods of compare
tive peace the industry has prospered, and
the reason may be found in the fact that the
Cuban planters have gone about the produc-
ton of sugar on large scale, and equipped
with the most modern machinery.
While sugar Is the staple crop OF first Inn
portance in Cuba tobacco has an important
place in the islands Industries. and Is even
more valuable than sugar when the acreage
under cultivation is considered. As Matan-
zas is the center of the sugar industry so IS
Pinar del Rio the center of the tobacco in
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26
"The Ever Faithful Isle"

Cuba has been Known the world over as
"The Ever Faithful Isle," a name it re-
ceived at the time the Spanish Bourbons
were deposed by Napoleon in 1908. At that
time each member of the provincial Cuban
council took an oath to preserve the island
for its legitimate sovereign. The island con-
tributed voluntarily $1,000 900 to the Span
ing treasury during the Napoleonic wars,
and declared war against France for depos-
ing the Spanish sovereign. For such fidelity
the Cuban people were rewarded by having
taken away from them the rights of their
provincial council, and imposing upon them
a line of captain generals whose despotic
rule continued down to the day this country
Dons.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26
HUMoR OF THE HOUR
At the Play.

In the second act of the melodrama
the hero was lost in the forest and had
been ten days without liquid refresh
ments. His face was emaciated. his
eyes glePming, and he staggered like a
wounded deer.
Water. Waterr' he moaned. eva
ter or l PERISH
AT this an old whiskers arose from
dis seat i'll the dress circle
"Iew dern fool. yew," he shouted,
why don't yew tap them maple treesf"
On the way home Name and / had
spirited argument over the incident,
Name maintaining with much fervor
that whiskers was the genuine article,
and l, with equal fervor, declaring
that the rascal was n member of the
company and had simply made the
break to make hit with the audience.
Indianapolis Sun.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

How much of salary do you get?'
asked the inquisitive diner.
''Oh. don't get any salary" replied
the ObsequiOus waiter. THE gentle
men that dine here are such perfect
gentlemen that l don't need any regu-
lar salary or wages"
As the diner reached down into his
pocket for tip he was heard to NUT
ter something about curiosity always
being coStly.-Chicago Post
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

tually no resistance from the natives save
from one chief. Hatuey, a refugee from His
PAMELA, or Hayti as now called, where he
had witnessed the barbarities of the new
corners and resented their invasion OF MS
new home, as he. unlike tine others. knew
from terrible experience what such com
ing meantto the native people. But Hatuey
like many others who came after him IN
later years. was unsuccessful in opposing the
will of the Dons, and paid for his desire for
freedom with his life being burned at the
stake as a fugitive slave.
Spanish oppression and Spanish cruelty
reigned in Cuba from that day until in the
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

summer of 1898. when, with the assistance
of the United States, the patriots banished
their oppressors froTa the island forever
Almost from the day of the Spaniards
first landing in Cuba until the signing OF the
peace protocol that put stop 10 the war
OF 1898 the Dons had found it necessary TO
meet opposition to their reign by the use
of armed force This opposition was not at
all times of sufficient vigor to be dignified
by the name of revolution, but it was con-
slant. For many years it was more OF a
sea fight than land fight and was carried
ON by the buccaneers whose object was TO
drive Spain from the western seas, not be-
cause they were friendly to the native
Cubans, but from motives OF revenge against
the mother country, and as allies of other
European nations at war with Spain. Nor
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

Employer-Sir, don't like your ap-
pearance in this office
Clerk -Why-Pr thought had got
myself up in pretty good style.
Employer should say not, l don't
know when you get yourself up at
home but you never appear here before
half past S.-Chicago Tribune.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26
Havana twice burned.

The city of Havana has twice been de-
stroyed by fire set by French privateers.
The first destruction occurred in 1888, soon
after the city was founded, and to prevent a
repetition of the disaster Fernando de Soto,
then governor of the island, built the first
of the fortresses intended for the defense Of
the city, the Castillo de la Fuerza, but this
proved ineffective, for the city was again de-
stroyed by the French in 1854. After this
the Punta and Moro fortresses were built.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26
It Was climb Nirht.

Wife (as husband starts down town
You will come home early. won't
you, dear?
Husband-Yes. But if 1 should be
accidentally detained don't wait break
fast for me.-Chicago News.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26
Cultivation.

81 suppose you hope to make very
cultivated young man of your boy
JOSH"
YES" answered Farmer Corntossel.
Were cultivatin' him the best we can.
Every now and then mother and me
gives him Il rakin' Washington
Star.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26
AYear of Cuban Prosperity.

The year 1892 was the most prosperous in
Cuban history for almost half a century.
During that year the value of the islands ex-
ports amounted to $50, 500, 900, and the i'm
ports to $50, 100000. OF the exports SIS, 000,-
600 were ciassed as vegetable, So, SOC, 900 as
mineral and $4,000 as animal.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26
Photographer Didn't Know Him.

Cant you look n little bit pleasant
er:'' asked the photographer.
"Pleasanter:" echoed the wife of the
man in the chair. why. Mr.. PhOtog-
rapher, if he would look that pleasant
all the time l would be the happiest
woman aliveY'-Indianapolis Sun.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26


Is
other a
solie rather sdi
o
II
with the
in lis n
credit
in n o
oil
in Spain nula fe the the h he d
estate
He led finally in
of
"A
OF the astw IN h
emci tse i'm
by actiaIy everyCu
with
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26
RoId RrookIyn BOY.

81 was awfully afraid to ask you for
that first kiss
Afraid of what:'
afraid you'd let me have it without
a rotest."-Brooklyn Life.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26
Cnntured by MORAN.

The buccaneer Morgan captured and
plundered Havana in 1869, just previous to
his exploits at Panama and along the Pa
cifie coast of Central and South America.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26
FIGHT FOR FREEDOM
The Long, Desperate Struggle That
Brought Cuban Independence.
Ii Began Almost with the First Set
Element of the SpaniardS i'm the Is
Iand-SOme Men Whose Names
and Deeds VIII Live In
Cuban History.

UBA'S fight for freedom from
Spanish rule may be said to have
begun almost before the DOns
became masters of the island.
When, in l5ll, the son Of Co
lumbus determined to take pos
session OF Cuba in the name OF
Spain ne selected Diego Nelas-
quez to command an advance
guard, as it were, of some 300
men. This force met with viz
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26
OF CUBA
Her Greatest Wealth Lies in a Fer
tile and Productive Soil.
Possibilities of Sugar and Tobacco
Cultivation Judged by the Rec
OrdS of the PaSt-NaIuabIe
Woods. Fruits and Minerals.
URING years Of peace in the past

URING years of peace in the past
Cuba has produced more cane SUI
gar than any other country IN the
world. She produces more than
twice the cane sugar manufac-
tured in Java, her nearest com
petitor. and more than five times
as much - i produced in any
other country. In exceptional
years her production of sugar has
passed the one million tons mark.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26
Doubtful.

Collector-Whea shall call again to
collect this bill, sir?
Dashaway-HOw do know? l can't
always tell ahead just when am going
to be out.-Life.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26
A Snail Change For Him.

He-Seems to me I'd hate awf-ly to
be p-p-petrifed after I'm dead
She-Why so? You appear to he
pretty rocky right now.-Chicago Rec
ord Herald.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26
A Great Cuban disaster

One of the greatest disasters in Cuban his
tory was the hurricane of October IA, 1870,
in which some 1000 lives were lost.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26


o
nno OF fore in the TO
O
in a
and O the f and a o is
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26
The Unexpected.

Little Slimsneak-Aha! So she is
lunching with him, is she-my hated
rival! I'll just conceal myself behind
the screen and overhear their CONVEX
Sation.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

them, and what Spain at first believed to be
but the beginning of a negro riot that could
be suppressed within short time proved TO
be the final conflict for Cuban freedom,
conflict that has waged on sea and land for
more than j century.
WRIGHT A PATTERSON
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26
Nevermore.

'Do the birds come and pick up the
breadcrumbs from your hotel lawn"
''They used to before my wife began
to make her own bread."-Judge.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26
Wen stocked.

CYLINDERS makes a regular laughing
stock OF himself. doesn't he?"
Yes. His supply of funny stories
never runs short. philadelphia Bulle-
tin.
Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1902-12-27

The shabby musicians
ing country The talented
ZION at
pounced sherihs
tne ume HIS company stranded
New York sick
landlord he is we'll
1t odd that
come 10 the front and SHOW
THIS country Millions OF COM
position the intermezzo
nave applaudng
composition by
Italy, that they had
Of its beauties for IN his continent
Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1902-12-27
LEADING A new LIFE.

to lead a
She
leaving
the out FOL
OF Saxony lost hell
asked
TO WI"
after midnight"
Like Of the
vacated n tender loin of
While family
of married
lille
in is not exactly
the surroundings of the of
Northumberland
SICKENkG