The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1938-09-17

Havana, tuba-tBy Ben Frederic
Carruthers NJ. A. for ANP)--Cuba
the baby republic of the New
World, has had long and impor-
tant history as colony of Spain
and for many years was considered
the brightest jewel In the Spanish
imperial Crown. The abolition OF
slavery OF King Alfonso XII in
1850 marks the beginning OF the
new day In which the Cuban Ne
gro, come into his own at last, was
To outstrip all other American Me-
groes In his fight for justice and a
share In the political. social and
economic life of the republic.
During the War OF Independence
1898 the ex-slaves joined the
armies Of the Cuban Rebels and by
their loyalty and bravery. won the
respect and admiration of the chiefs
OF the Revolution: Jose Marti',
Maxine Gomez. and others. Two of
the mos, highly respected Revolu-
iionary commanders were the mu-
latto general. Antonio Maceo TO
whom the Cuban government has
erected the most imposing monu-
ments, and the Negro General Gull
lerimo Monicada who portrait
hangs in the magnificent $22.000,-
900 capitol building in Havana.
The tradition OF active participa-
ton OF the Negroes and mestIzos in
the political affairs OF the Nation
in spite OF American intervention
in the affairs OF Cuba since the
war of independence persists TO the
present time. Today In the Senate
four OF the thlrty-six Senators are
'hombres re color" and fourteen OF
the hundred and forty Representa-
tives are the legislative voice OF the
500. 600 Negroes and mestizos who
have the right TO vote and TO hold
office. In the appointive political
offices there are many important
posts held by men of color. In the
contemporary cabinet OF His Ex-
cellency. FREDERICK Laredo Brn.
President OF the Republic the post
of Rajo Secretario de Ju iicia in
charge OF the efficient police force
of the Island Is held by Negro
by the name of Cepedes
who is also Pres. of the Cuban Ate
mas. of Havana. one of the finest
Negro Clubs. in the world.
In the armed forces OF the nation
under the direct supervision Of the
dynamic chief of the Revolution.
colonel Fulgencio Batista. the Ne
gro is we'll represented In every
rank. The efficient pol ce force of
the Republic has hund eds of coll
ord men enrolled and they are not
shunted off 10 Negro districts
which simply do not exist in the
rites Of Cuba.
In the hospitals and schools Of
he nation the color line is vir-
iually unknown 10 staff aud pa
tent. student and teacher. The
new institute Civico
Nilitar has student body OF some
200 students Of which one-third are
81 ,...l~ 81 1, =,
and enjoy the same
IN The school and dor
life.
BUS chauffeurs and conductors
are ~ both races and both sexes.
bands and orchesirae both munici-
pal and private are b-racial. IN,
faculty OF the Natl. Conservatory of
Music IL composed OF The ouistand-
ing musicians from both races. The
popular and much " the classical
music OF Cuba rests frankly and
alluringly upon an African base
and many Of the popular congas.
and danzas proclaim the
charms OF the Negro woman in the
lyrics and the charms OF Negro
rhythm in the music.
All public places are open 10 the
dark skinned Cuban and the natives
actively resent American and Bri-
fish attempts 10 set mp their fetish
OF color line. The Cubans stand
ing in the community. Is determin-
ed by culture and by breeding rath-
or than by race or money. The ira
ditions OF old Spain govern 10
great extent the social life OF the
nation.
All English speaking people are
assumed TO be Americans and as
such fair game for exploitation by
the cubans. Because Of the deplo-
rable conduct OF the non-Spanish
speaking Americans who swarm 10
Havana. the American dollar COM
mands respect where the American
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