America's war for humanity related in story and picture, embracing a complete history of Cuba's struggle for liberty, and the glorious heroism of America's soldiers and sailors . orto Rico, a much smallerisland, the Spaniards massacred over six hundred thousand, besides largenumbers who were enslaved or died from the effects of disease and hardshipsimposed upon them by their conquerors. From these circumstances it maybe inferred that Porto Rico had a population of more than one million, andthe inhabitants of Cuba must have largely exceeded them in less than forty-five years afte
America's war for humanity related in story and picture, embracing a complete history of Cuba's struggle for liberty, and the glorious heroism of America's soldiers and sailors . orto Rico, a much smallerisland, the Spaniards massacred over six hundred thousand, besides largenumbers who were enslaved or died from the effects of disease and hardshipsimposed upon them by their conquerors. From these circumstances it maybe inferred that Porto Rico had a population of more than one million, andthe inhabitants of Cuba must have largely exceeded them in less than forty-five years after the discovery of the island the Span-iards had practically obliterated this immense population. The statement isalmost incredible, but authenticated facts prove its truth. In 1534 theSpanish authorities on the island petitioned the emperor for 7000 negroslaves, that they might become inured to labor before the Indians ceased toexist. In 1511 Diego Velasquez was appointed, by Diego Columbus, 21 ?22 AMERICAS WAR FOR HUMANITY. Adalantado, or Governor of Cuba, and, supplied with three hundred armedcut-throats, he immediately proceeded to depopulate the island. The unarmed. Indians, gentle and kind in disposition, and unused to war, were butchered bythe hundreds of thousands, until thepreviously happy island became a veritablecharnel house. When Hatuey, the principal chief of the natives, fell into STORY OF CUBA. 23 the hands of the Spaniards, he was burned at the stake near the present townof Yara. On being urged by a priest to embrace the Christian religion as ameans of gaining heaven, he inquired if any Spaniards were there. Yes,replied the priest; in heaven there are many Spaniards. Then, saidHatuey, I prefer to go elsewhere, and the flames soon put an end to hissufferings. Such of the natives as were not butchered were soon broughtinto complete subjection, and were allotted to the settlers in gangs of threehundred to each Spaniard, who employed them in the cultivation of the
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectspanish, bookyear1898
