Evening star., 1912-06-30
CUBA FACES CRISIS
Future of Republic Threatened
by Present Rebellion.
FALSE REPORTS SENT OUT
Governments Description Of Condi-
tions Not Fully Accurate.
POSITION OF REVOLUTIONISTS
Claim That at Present There Is No
Chance to Advance
Themselves.
BY STANFORD MCFARLAND.

lurid reports regarding conditions in Cuba
have been given to the outside world.
Homicide, pillage and arson have been
charged against the negro insurrectos.
They have been characterized as fiends
incarnate, while the government troops
have been pictured as models of for
bearance.
These Impressions have been the product
Of the Cuban government in a large
measure. and fail in many respects to
delineate the real situation in the island.
In an effort to gloss over the insurrec-
ton and place their best foot foremost,
the government officials have not done
justice to the other side Of the contro-
versy.
Threatens Republic.
The Cuban situation is indeed serious,
but not of so serious nature that it will
demand immediate Intervention by the
United States, although 1t presents a
problem that threatens the future auton-
omy of the republic. This problem is
nothing more or less than the race ques-
ton, which has been q source of en-
barrassment to Cubans for nearly a hum
dred years.
The imbroglio that prevails here today
is an evolution Of political growth accen-
tuated by the presence of the color line
The island, at the present moment. is torn
by the endeavors Of three political parties
to gain control, and the insurrection was
forced by the domineering tactics Of the
political party in power, the liberals, who
are led by President Jose Miguel Gomez.
Other Parties in Field.
The other parties in the field are the
revolutionists. or negro party and the the
conservatives, who rally around the stand
ard of their presidential candidate. Gen.
Menocal, OF these three divisions only
two are taking part In the present war
fare These are the revolutionists and
the liberals under President Gomez. The
conservatives. while siding morally with
the liberals, are on the fence. and hope.
through the present disturbance, to gain
control of the government.
Much has been written Of the present
revolution from the standpoint of the
whites. and the general impression is
that the negroes are entirely in the
wrong. An investigation OF the situation.
however, shows many extenuattng fea-
lures in favor Of the blacks. In fact.
be a prejudiced statement to say that
their cause would arouse as much SYM
pathy among outsiders as did the plucky
fight Of the Cubans against the Spaniards.
The chief cause of the negroes dis
satisfaction was made plain in a state
ment issued by Gen. Estenoz. In the
course Of this statement he reviewed the
present status Of the black man in Cuba
and concluded with this remark:
1.-The negro. under present conditions
has absolutely no chance to advance
himself. He is the sport Of politicians
and captains OF industry, and all he asks,
all he is fighting for. In the present cam
paign. is the right to enjoy the same
privileges as do the whites, with whom he
holds equality under the Cuban constl-
tuition"
Pushed to the Rear.
Estenoz's statement is a concise charac-
terization Of the prevailing condition.
The negroes Of Cuba. though they COM