Pueblo chieftain., 1921-12-22
GENERAL VIEW OF
HAVANA. CENTER OF FOUR
CENTURIES Of ROMANTIC HISTORY


would destroy her chief market 70,
that product and place both the Cuban
people and their government in jeo-
pardy of bankruptcy.
Cuba's story is of peculiar interest
now a background for the center
stage position in the commercial world
which her financial, industrial and po-
litical troubles have pla ced her since
the collapse of the sugar market and
the consequent financial depression in
the island. The story of her struggle
for Independence is a story of struS-
gle against oppressive taxation. 1t Is
the basis of the argument of American
business men against the 60 per cent
increase in the tariff on Cuban sugar.
Remote as Cuba seemed during those
four centuries under Spain, the warp
and woof of her annals and her des-
tiny were from the start closely inter-
woven with those of the United States,
thru whose aid she finally awoke to
full realization OF her latest posi-
bilities. To begin with. Cuba was
among the discoveries of Columbus on
his first voyage in 1852. and that great
navigator went TO his death believing
that in Cuba he had found the main
land no sought. the continent on which
was later built our republic. And Cuba,
like the United States. was first settled
by Spaniards. And to Cuba. to the
TO give the first impetus toward po-
litical freedom and modern progress.
tho with Cuba the leavcn was weaker
and slower In the working. To Cuba.
too. came the Irish. the French to mix
their strains with the original stock.
tho in Cuba. unlike America. the Span
ish blood continued to prcdominate.
In 1928 she took upon herself the
same vexatious problem that for 50
many ycars plagued America when
she began the African slave trade.
She had her Indian problem. too. For
n time she enslavcd these aboriginos,
but she seems to have solved her prob
l5if.
The sixteenth and the carly part OF
the seventeenth centuries were period
of tyrannical oppression and unjust
taxation for Cuba, accompanied ri-
most continuously by Wild romantic
violence. Brigandagc rciYncd ashore.
smuggling and piracy on the sea. There
was an almost unbroKon series OF in
surrcctions against Spanish tyranny
and OF struggles between factions. 1t
was during this period that English
and French pirates began and con-
tinucd their rcign OF terror on the
Spanish Main. The disastrous eco-
nomic rule OF Cuba was n breeder OF
privatcerlng and smuggling.
In 1852 came Cuba's first real tenta-
tive step forward In that year the
British stormed and captured Havana.
The city was returned TO Spain In ex-
change for the Fioridas year later,
but the progressive organizing genius
of the British had left its influence.
They had opened and developed the
port of Havana and given new i'm
petus to cNba commerce. They inspired
In Cubans the desire for political free
dom. Cuba demanded and obtained
I nj n "a q =
retained after her capital city was re-
| turned to its old masters. In that
year really began cuba's modern his
tory.
During the remainder OF the cigh
| tccnth century and thru tho early
nineteenth century the island enjoyed
a succession of liberal governors. The
| turmoil OF European war had prac-
tical cut Cuba off from the mother
country during this period and left her
| almost independent.
Plotting for actual Independence be-
gan with the adoption OF the Spanish
| constitutional government OF 1Sl..
| Even then the close tic with the new
government OF the United States OF
/ America was recognized In Cuba. The
question OF her annexation to the
| United States was freely agitated.
| Liberal changes in this somi detached
colony Of Spain developed further and
furihcr. ono OF its manifestations was
/ tlN hVoutlon VI AH' siaN' baun III
1890.
In is2t however. reaction set in. just
as IL had generation or moro before
under the British rule OF the American
colonies. Tho captains general Of
Cuba received arbitrary powers and a
new reign of tyranny and discord be-
gan.
In 1874 the Spanish constitution was
proclaimed In Cuba without tho gov
ernor's consent and was promptly sup
pressed. Tho climax of this period
came in isii with bloody persecution
Of tho negroes for n supposed plot OF
rebellion against Spain involving the
alleged ambitions OF Great Britain and
tho United States TO annex tho island
From 1870 on Cuba had been ge'tinr
more and moro involved in information
al affairs concerning particularly
spain. the United States. England
France. Colombia and Mexico.
In 1850. during the time that .thc
slavery question was cnbroiitng tn.