Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-08-03
sv JAMES scHREIRER.

UBA, the Pearl of the Antilles"
has again been called upon TO
fight a battle for freedom. For
years the island rebelled against
the oppressive rule of Spain, from
whose clutch it escaped with the as
sistance of the United States.
With the first taste of freedom the
natives were content to let this coun-
try direct their affairs, and then Cuba
became u republic, with government
of its own Later there developed
state of unrest, when the United States
stepped in, settled disputes and again
handed over the government to the
Cuban people Their new president
chosen. things again began to assume
serious aspects from time to time
Trouble with foreign powers arose,
and many Cubans despaired of ever
seeing their island adjust itself to tran
gull conditions. Twice within the last
two years the United States felt com
PEELED to intervene, but upon assur-
ances that all possible efforts were be-
ing made to remedy things, kept its
hands off.
Two years ago a negro leader of the
name OF Evaristo Estenoz organized
an Instruction based on objection to
the policy of President Jose Miguel
Gomez in giving political positions too
frequently to suit them to "nonpatrt-
otto citizens" The Cuban veteran of
the revolution and the war with Spain,
1t was claimed, were sighted thereby.
Cuba weathered that and less serious
situations, but a growing undercurrent
of dissatisfaction spread among the
negro population, which represents
about one-half the total of human be-
inEs on the island Evaristo Estenoz,
now become a general, after making
an exhaustive study OF conditions and
affairs among the negroes in thesUnited
States, returned to Cuba and formed
the Independent Colored party, of
which, since 1t inception, he has been
the leading spirit. The colored people
all over the island have supported him
with fervor. Within a year after or
ganization 10000 Cuban negroes had
become members of the party and a
weekly newspaper, edited by Estenoz,
attained a large circulation.
INDEPENDENTS JAILED
The activities of the Independent
Colored party attracted the attention
of the government to the extent that
= law was passed forbidding the forma-
don OF political parties along racial
lines Senator Morua Delgado of the
Liberal party. himself negro, was
responsible for the measure now known
as the Morua law He later was made
secretary OF war in the Gomez cabinet.
The effect on the negro population of
the passing OF the new law referred to
can be imagined On the eve of cleo
ton many of the heads OF the Inde-
pendent Colored party were thrown
into prison on charges of conspiracy
Claiming that they had been de-
prived OF their rights as citizens and ac-
cusing the white population of treach-
cry, the negroes turned their griey-
ances into acts that brought serious re-
suits They contended that while fight
ing for the liberty of Cuba their white
compatriots were satisfied to rank
them ms their equals. but that since
freedom was obtained the negroes
were neglected and that by reason of
their treatment they were obliged to
seek recognition in their own way.
The outcome was the Inauguration OF
. guerilla warfare. In the mountains