The National tribune., 1903-03-19

iagraut abuse of the hospitality thus sex-
tended to them;
'And whereas such expeditions can only
be regarded as adventures for plumber and
robbery, and must meet the condemnation
of the civilized world, whilst they are
derogatory to rhe character of our country.
in violation of the laws of nations, and ex-
pressly prohibited by our own: our statutes
declaring that if any person shall. within
the territory of jurisdiction of the United
States. begin or set on foot, or provide or
prepare the means for, any military expe-
ditiOn or enterprise, to be carried on from
thence against the territory or dominions
of any foreign prince or state. or of any
colony, district, or people, with whom the
United States are at peace, every person,
so offending shall be deemed guilty of n
high misdemeanor, and shall be fined not
exceeding $1,000. and Imprisonment not
more than three years.
"Now, therefore. have issued this. my
proclamation. warming all persons who
shall connect themselves with any such
enterprise or expedition in violation of our
laws and national obligations that they
will thereby subject themselves to the
heavy penalties denounced against such
offenses. and will forfeit their claim to the
protection of this Government. or any in
reference in their behalf, no matter to
what extremities they may be reduced in
consequence OF tne1T Illegal cOnUuct 4Alu
therefore. / eXhort all good citizens, as
they regard our National reputation. as
they respect their own laws and the wei
fare of their country. to discountenance.
and. by all lawful means. prevent any
such enterprise; and call upon every Off
GER Of this Government, civil or military.
to use all efforts in his po Ier. to arrest
for trial and punishment every such Of
fender against the laws of the country.
"Given under my hand. the 9th day
of April. in the year Of our Lord. 1851.
and the 10Th of the independence of the
United States.
"AIILLARD FILLMORE.
''Bv the President:
"W. S. DERRICK.
"Acting Secretary of State"
Gen. Lopez went to Key West after his
defeat. and set to work Immediately on the
organization of another revolutionary
movement. On the 18th of August, 1851.
he disembarked at Las Pozas, Pinar del
Rio. The Spanish General engaged him in
fight shortly after. and fierce battle
took place. LOpez fought bravely. but was
again defeated and captured. He was
executed as a common outlaw by the gar
rote. On the scaffold he cried out these
Spaniard's ears: "Tyrants! My death in
nothing changes the destinies OF Cubal'
In 1854 an American. Gen. Kitman.
attempted to lead an expedition to Cuba.
aided by Betancourt. but was not success
full. The cOnspiraces continued to work
their way. and occasionally some one cap
tured would be plunged into an African
dungeon or banished to the insalubrious
island of Fernando Pc, or publicly execut-
ed as an outlaw. But. needless of ban
ishment or death, the desire for independ-
ence was clearly manifested throughout
the country and the Cubans felt it deeply
rooted i'm their hearts. With hopes for
the future, they persevered in their great
ideal.
MOCK REFORMS TO APPEAsE THE CUBANS.
Much wOrriment was produced in the
guilty consciences of the Spanish Minis
tiers when it was asserted that the Symp-
toms of n near-cOming revolution in Cuba
were plainly seen and felt by everyone.
To appease their own discomfort. more
than with intentions of yielding % n suf-
fering peoples entreaty. the Spanish Gov
ernment ordered that the Cubans should
elect Commissioners to go to Madrid. and
recommend there to the Government such
reforms and laws as. in their Judgment
would satisfy the people. In 1866 the Min
lister of Ultramar. Don Antonio Canovas
del Castillo, called to Madrid the Com
mittee of Information, as it was termed,
COMPOSED of 16 prominent Cubans chosen
by election. The Committee reached Mad
rid and gave the report of their peODle's
wants. The Cabinet dismissed the Com
mittee. with the promise that due study
would be given to the claims presented.
In 1867 taxes were largely increased, so
much so that the farmer. .nd landowners,
unable to pay the exorbtant dues, present
ed themselves in body to the authorities
for the purpose Of giving up their property
instead. The Government never answered
one word to the petitions made by the
Committee of Information, and at last the
Cubans realized the fact that, if they
wanted their rights. they must fight for
them. Members of the principal Cuban
families began to cOnspire against the
Government throughout the Island. the
following being the names of the princi-
pal conspiratOrs; from the Province of
0riente:
Francisco Vicente Aguilera, of dis
tinguished family and wealthy land
and slave owner Of Oriente.
Francisco MaceO Osorio, of a distin-
guished family and a man of uncommon
intellectual ability mot connected with
Gems. A. and J. MaceO, afterward so
famous as leaders,.
Manuel de Jesus Calvar. planter.
TOnlas Estrada Palma, of distin-
guished family and rich land proprietor.
BartOlOme Maso. of a prominent family
and n rich land proprietor.
Luis and Pedro Figueredo, of rich and
distinguished family.
CalixtO Garcia Yniguez, of n prominent
family of merchants and rich land pro-
prietOr.
Vicente Garcia, rich proprietor of
Tunas and
Carlos NJ. de Cespedes. of prominent
and rich family
All these were native-born Cubans.
THE YARA WAR.
Besides these welI-known gentlemen,
others no less distinguished took part in
the secret meetings held in BayamO:
namely. Juan Hall, Luis Marcan0. ElijiO
Yzaguirre, Julio Grave de Peralta and
Manuel Codina. AT secret meeting held
at the plantation Ell Rosario, it was de-
cided that the revolutionary movement
should take place on the 18th of October
and Cespedes was elected leader. The
plot was betrayed to the Governor of
ManZanillO and the cOnspiratOrs were
compelled to anticipate the day of the
uprising. Orders were hastily issued to
that effect everywhere, and although the
opportunity was considered hOpelessly lost.
Carlos NJ. de Cespedes. at Yara. on the
10th of October, 1868, with about 120 men.
badly armed and equipped, revolted
against the tyrannical oppressors. He was
quickly followed by Cubans from every
part of the country. regardless of class
or standing, and the heroic struggle for ip-
dependence was commenced between Cuba,
the beautiful little Island, the most noble
and panarOuS cOunfrv on eorth driven n