CHAPTER VII
THE POPULATION OF CUBA
THE number and the characteristics of the people of Cuba are matters of doubt. If not of doubt exactly, at least there seem to be many discrepancies in relation to the numerical side of the problem, and great variation in opinion as to the qualities and peculiarities of the several classes of inhabitants which constitute the people of the Island. Before attempting to discuss the traits of the people, it may be advisable to ascertain, as far as practicable, the component parts of the population, and for that purpose recourse must be had to such statistical data as may be found available. The census report of Cuba can be obtained, but it is not issued, like our own, in book form, or even as printed reports. The results, moreover, are not worked out with any degree of detail as to age, sex, race, marital condition, occupation, and such other data as make an analysis of the population of the United States a comparatively easy task. The first census of Cuba was taken as far back as 1774, and since then the population has been enumerated at various periods, apparently when it suited the convenience or desire of the authorities at Madrid. The last count of the people was in December, 1897, but the returns from this enumeration have not been tabulated. The authorities admit they are imperfect in the four provinces of Pinar del Rio, Havana, Matanzas, and Santa Clara, and that they lack entirely the population of Puerto Principe and Santiago de Cuba. It may, therefore, be expedient that this work should be abandoned and that the United States authorities should take a complete and satisfactory census of the Island in December (for it cannot be taken in the month of June), 1899, or December, 1900, either of which dates will be near enough to the date of our own Twelfth Census, which will be June 1, 1900—the earlier date will probably be better for Cuba and nearer our own census. Such an enumeration should elicit information in relation to occupations and such social topics as will aid in constructing a suitable government for the people of Cuba. The method of taking the Cuban census has been crude and the returns not very reliable. The organisation for the work has always been made in Spain and delegated to a Central Board in Cuba, which board is presided over by a Cabinet Minister—the last by Mr. Montoro, Secretary of State. The Secretary to this Board is the Director of Census. The schedules are then forwarded to the municipalities, who thus control their own enumerations. Fortunately for Cuba, there are no “boom towns,” so the returns are not unduly padded. The schedules for the rural districts are handled from the capital of the province. When the schedules are filled, they are sent to Havana, where the work of tabulation is performed. The completed work is sent to Spain for approval and promulgation. The method seems roundabout and cumbersome and must result in a large percentage of errors. The official who had charge of the last census admitted it was not exact—excepting possibly for some places where the municipal authorities took pride in the work. This was the case in Matanzas, where a census was taken in 1893, which seems on the face to be careful statistical work. A study of the census columns of unfortunate Cuba reveals the story of that Island in unmistakable terms. (See table on page 92.)
Disease and war have performed their fatal work and from time to time decimated the inhabitants. The cheerful side of the picture is the constant increase of population from 1852 to 1867. These few years were called the Golden Age of Cuba. The cholera visited Cuba at the end of the year 1868, and the Ten Years’ War began October 10, 1868, at which time many Cubans emigrated. This will explain the decrease of the year 1869. From 1870 to 1877 Spanish soldiers poured into the country, and not less than 200,000 Spaniards were sent there to crush the insurrection of 1868 to 1878 (Ten Years’ War).
| POPULATION OF CUBA AT THE SEVERAL ENUMERATIONS OF THE POPULATION OF THE ISLAND | |||
| Years. | Totals. | Increase Per cent. | Decrease Per cent. |
| 1774 | 171,620 | .... | .... |
| 1787 | 176,167 | 2.64 | .... |
| 1792 | 273,939 | 55.49 | .... |
| 1804 | 432,000 | 57.69 | .... |
| 1810 | 600,000 | 38.88 | .... |
| 1817 | 635,604 | 5.93 | .... |
| 1819 | 553,033 | .... | 12.99 |
| 1825 | 715,000 | 29.28 | .... |
| 1827 | 704,487 | .... | 1.47 |
| 1830 | 755,695 | 7.26 | .... |
| 1841 | 1,007,625 | 33.33 | .... |
| 1846 | 898,754 | .... | 10.80 |
| 1849 | 945,440 | 5.19 | .... |
| 1850 | 973,742 | 2.99 | .... |
| 1852 | 984,042 | 1.05 | .... |
| 1855 | 1,044,185 | 6.11 | .... |
| 1857 | 1,110,095 | 6.31 | .... |
| 1859 | 1,129,304 | 1.72 | .... |
| 1860 | 1,199,429 | 6.20 | .... |
| 1862 | 1,396,470 | 16.42 | .... |
| 1867 | 1,426,475 | 2.14 | .... |
| 1869 | 1,399,811 | .... | 1.86 |
| 1874 | 1,446,372 | 3.32 | .... |
| 1877 | 1,521,684 | 5.20 | .... |
| 1887 | 1,631,687 | 7.23 | .... |
| 1899 (est.) | 1,200,000 | .... | 2.65 |
Then came the last war, which has been even more disastrous, and many competent authorities put the loss by disease, starvation, and slain at 400,000. It is impossible to verify these figures until we shall have an accurate enumeration of the population, so it must remain guesswork until then. Whatever the result of the next census may show, the fact remains apparent that the population of Cuba, by reason of its misfortunes, is far behind the natural increment; that is, the growth by excess of births over deaths. This is shown by the following table, giving the estimated population of the Island of Cuba from 1774 to 1894, by decades, taking the average rate of increase of the native population in the United States by census decades:
| Year. | Estimated Population. | ||
| From 1850 to 1890 native and foreign were given separately by census takers; previously no such count was made. | 1774 | 171,620 | As by Mr. Bonnet’s table as increased by United States census rates, estimated averages. |
| 1784 | 216,928 | ||
| 1794 | 274,197 | ||
| 1804 | 346,585 | ||
| 1814 | 438,083 | ||
| 1824 | 554,537 | ||
| 1834 | 700,934 | ||
| 1844 | 885,981 | ||
| 1854 | 1,119,880 | ||
| 1864 | 1,459,204 | ||
| 1874 | 1,772,718 | ||
| 1884 | 2,336,442 | ||
| 1894 | 2,869,150 |
In the opening chapter of this volume the point was made that Cuba, had it been permitted to remain in peace and enjoy its advantages, should have had a population ranging from 4,500,000 to 5,000,000. That this statement is borne out may be noted in the subjoined table, which gives the estimated population of the Island of Cuba from 1774 to 1894, taking the average rate of increase of the total population in the United States, by census decades:
| Year. | Estimated Population. | |
| 1774 | 171,620 | —As per Mr. Bonnet’s table. |
| 1784 | 231,687} | |
| 1794 | 312,777} | |
| 1804 | 378,460} | |
| 1814 | 516,144} | |
| 1824 | 686,832} | —Increased at United States census rates for decades, estimated averages. |
| 1834 | 917,264} | |
| 1844 | 1,216,934} | |
| 1854 | 1,653,448} | |
| 1864 | 2,241,745} | |
| 1874 | 2,749,051} | |
| 1884 | 3,575,965} | |
| 1894 | 4,464,950} |