The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-06
MINISTER FOSTER HOME AGAIN.
Reticent Regarding the Spanish Treaty-Cu
ba's Precarious Finances.
New York Herald.


New York Herald
Mr. John w. Foster, United States Envoy Ex-
traordnary to Spain, reached this city yesterday
morning, on the Germanc. General Foster has
already sent In his resignation, and ne will leave
the diplomatic service as soon as he makes his
report to Secretary Bayard A reporter who
had a conversation with General Foster found
him decidedly uncommuncatve regarding the
present condition of the proposed commercial
treaty with Spain, and the purposes of the ad.
mlnistratlon regarding it,
MY official position said General Foster
'of course prevents me from furnishing informa-
ton to the Herald concerning treaty matters
Such information should come only from the
Secretary of State. You may. however, say
that the Spanish government has shown dis
position to meet the views of the present Ameri-
can administration While no treaty has yet
been signed, the two governments will. believe
be able to reach a mutually satisfactory solution
of the commercial question
1.-The general impression among all Spaniards
is that we covet Cuba, and only await a proper
time to take it. | have done what could to
counteract this feeling, | convinced not
only that 1t would be contrary to true inter
est and policy to acquire Cuba, but also that the
better Judgment of the people of the United
States would not countenance such increase
of territorial responsibilities. The considerable
extension of Cuban railroads planned by
the Spanish government is likely to further
complicate the external relations of Cuba. The
Spanish government has advertised for bios
from capitalists for the construction of railroads
in central and eastern Cuba. These advertise
ments call for bids which. il accepted. will
double the present railroad mileage of the
island. Cuban treasury guarantee of per
cent ON the money invested is offered
to capitalists. German, French and English
syndicates have been formed to compete
for the construction of the proposed
railroads. but notwithstanding the liberal guar
antee, and the activity of American railroad men
in Mexico and Central America, no American
construction company has yet taken the slightest
notice OF this new enterprise Much doubt
exists as to the value of a guarantee by the Gu
ban treasury, but ultimately the Cpanish treas-
ury must assume the guarantee of the interest
on this Cuban railroad debt to make the conces-
sion valuable, and when this is done the eonees-
sion will be readily taken up by foreign capital
lists.
''Now, the Cuban debt is largely held by for
eign (non-Spanish) moneyed men, namely Ger
mans and French With this great railroad
concession also in their hands, foreigners will
have undue influence on the island. Cuban
deputies have repeatedly declared in the Spanish
Congress that if the present deplorable CONNER
cial and financial conditions continue Cuba would
soon be driven into hopeless bankruptcy. Gu
bans. these deputies said, were taxed twice as
$50 for each inhabitant man, woman and
child. while the debt of the United States is only
$50 per capita. The assumption by Spain of the
Cuban debt is the only possible relief but this
Spanish Treasury officials declare to be ALSO
lutey impossible. Bankruptcy and reputation
of the Cuban bonded debt these deputies say.
must, therefore, be the end if the present sys-
tenn OF administration is continued The repu-
diation OF the Cuban debt, these speakers de-