The Thames Star. Resurrexi. MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1898. THE STATE OF CUBA.

Thames Star, Volume XXX, Issue 9028, 28 March 1898, Page 2

The Thames Star. Resurrexi. MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1898. THE STATE OF CUBA.

The cables lately received, bearing upon the condition ot the unfortunate Cubans, illustrates the terrible consequences of internecine strife. We are told that since the commencement of the rebellion over half a million , persons have died from starvation, that nearly a quarter of a million aro now dying from insufficiency of food, and that " walking skeletons" are to be met with everywhere. Of course, it must be patent to all that when the inhabitants of any country are engaged. in carrying on a bitter struggle with the forces of the Government, there can be but one result as far as the industrial position is concerned. So long as law and order are maintained the workers have an opportunity of continuing their several occupations without interference, but when, as in Cuba, the people have been in open revolt against the Spanish authorities, all industrial progress is immediately checked, the agricultural and other interests suffer, with the necessary consequence that the exports dwindle down to next to nothing, and the means of livelihood of the people are practically wiped out. Those who have the privilege of living in New Zealand or the Australiaa colonies, cun have but a faint idea of the conditions which prevail in Cuba. Them the officials in all the departments of the Government are Spaniards, who are sent from Madrid periodically, and are often selected from the most vicious and profligate families in the upper classes. These men, as soon as they arrive in Cuba, treat the natives with discourtesy, and as they are instructed to squeeze as much as possible from them in taxation, are over-zealous in the discharge of their duties. The natural consei quence is that the natives are driven to deperation. They see an unfair proportion of the proceeds of their industry and enterprise absorbed by the Government of Spain; they are notallowed to have a voice in the management of national affairs; the most humble civil appointment is debarred to them; the Spanish officials terrorise over and endeavor to bully them into submission to unreasonable conditions, and. as a natural consequence the people rise in rebellion, preferring to be shot as rebels, to being condemned

to a life of hopeless misery, and to remain the victims of extortion. It is a remarkable fact that the Spaniards have had the same trouble in every place where they endeavour tp plant colonies. In the Phillipine Islands the natives have been in almost continuous revolt, since the Islands were taken possession of by Spain. The one guiding principle of the Spaniards, in relation to the Government of their colonies, appears to be to obtain as much revenue from them as possible, and to keep the inhabitants in a condition of degrading servitude. This policy has been pursued both in Cuba and the Phillipines with disastrous results to the Spanish Government, who have had to expend enormous sums in the equipment of troops, to say nothing of the thousands of valuable lives which have been sacrificed in the endeavour to put down the rebellion, and judging by the unsatisfactory position of the Spanish colonies at the present moment, it would appear to be advisable for the Government to abandon the present policy for one based on more humane and equitable lines.

Mb Weioebt, of the Waihi Miner, is at present on a visit to the Thames, and to-day

visited some of our principal mines. We would remind our readers of the sale of Mr W. F. MoWilliams' furniture and effects, which takes place at the Oddfellows'

Hall at 11 a.m. to-morrow.

Mb Gkobue Graham, who has been connected with tho Borough working: staff f r mtny| yearr, notf es in oir adve tising column* that ho is prepared to undertake general jobbing work and to furnish estimates for concreting, asphalting, or tarring and sanding. His knowledge of this clibb of work should ensure him the public support. A towo man named H. McCormick was admitted to the hospital last night suffering from injuries received while engaged in contracting work at Whangamata. It appears thiit a plug of dynamite exploded in his hand, scattering it completely. His mates, Messrs Graham tvnd Craig, brought him to the hospital, where his injuries were attended to by Dr Gane. Thb informant in a criminal court case in Sydney recently stated that the accused called to him, " Came over here, and I'll whisper to you," and then hit him on the head with a hammer. As the judge remarked, that certainly was a pecuiar way of whispering. Childbbn's Wool Hats, Bonntts, Ladies Wool Wraps, and Shawls in all the latest designs—i£, J. Hutson and Co , Pollen Street —[Advt.] ■ One hundred pieces manufacturers samples Brussels Carpet at half price.— F. Dann, Pollen street.—[Advt.] The personnel of the next Ministry is thus outlined by an over-confident correspondent of the Otago Daily Times:—Captain Jtus.- ell, Premier and Minister for Justice and Defence; Mr Duthie, Colonial Treasurer, Postmaster- Gen r»' and Customs ; Mr Holieston, Minister for Lands; Mr Hutchison, Minister for Works and Railways; Mr Scobic Mackenzie, Colonial Secretary; Mr Allen, Minister for Mines; Auckland to have a

Native Minister and a Minister in the Legislative Council without portfolio ; and Mr H. D v Te'l to be Solicit* r-General if he obtains a sent on the next dissolution.