St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-09-30
BIG FORTUNE INVOLVED.
AN OLD CUBAN PLANTER WANTS
THREE MILLIONS
FROM THE SPANISH TREASURY


His Estates We're Confiscated In
1S69-He Was offered ST, 5OO,-
900 in 1SS6-Antonio Maxine
Mora Will Have the Assistance
OF Uncle Sam in Making His
Demand.
New YORK, Sept. 29.-Autonio Maxi
mo Mora, whose claim for $780,, 900 is
now being investigated by the state de-.
partment of Spain, as told in a telegram
from Madrid to the Associated Press to-
day. has been resident of this city for
forty years. One of his daughters is the
wife of Ferdinand E. Canda, who is a
brother of Charles j. Canda, ex-comp-
troller of the currency, having
filed this. position during Presi-
dent Clevelahd's nrst administration.
Notwithstanding his long residence
In America. Mr.. Mora. who is now sew
enty-five years Old, cannot speak En-
giish, and, in telling his story to an
Associated Press reporter through his
son-in-law, John l.. Mandin, he denied
shat he was citizen of Cuba at the
that he had been a citizen of the United
States since 1858. and had done business
here for fifty-three years. He came to
New York to live, and opened four Of
flces for the sale OF sugar from his planta-
tons in the districts of Cardenas and
ColOna, Cuba.
"a rebellion was in progress against
Spanish rule in 1863" continued Mr..
Mora, but took no part i'll it what
ever, although | was in Cuba for thc
time being. | had never opposed the
government in any way. Without any
reason whatever. except that | had
taken part
IN THE REBELLION.
my Plantations and all my other prop
erty IN Cuba were seizgd by the officials
OF the Spanish government. They also
arrested me, but had no evidence mat |
was disloyal, and almost immediately
released me. demanded my properly,
but WAS refused. The plantation had a
value of about S4.OU000O, and this
amount is all ever claimed"
MIR. Mora emphatically denied that he
mad ever assigned his claim or any part
OF 1t to syndicate, and if it is bald says
that he will receive all of it except legal
expenses. Being ala American citizen
- "Ps'N.tiSN NN Oi'NC ~ enc
OF the United States. which made de
mand OH Spain for the estate OF the
amount claimed. A release of the estate
was ordered hy SPY II in a general de
cree OF July y, foco. ana by special
decree of Sept 5 and Nov. z. 1873, and
OF Feb. s, 1876, but the CUBAN officials
still held 10 the property.
On June 30. 1855, me Spanish govern
ment offered voluntarily to pay Mr..
Nora 4 fixed sum in indemnity in lieu
of restoration of his estate i:.isttr
Moreto, in l.ote to the United States
minister Curry on Nov 20. 1886. fixed
the indemnity al Sl.500,0.0. which was
to be charged upon the Cuban budget
Mr.. Mora agreed, through Minister
Curry, to accept this amount in settle
ment.
Mr.. Mora said that he did not consider
this was ilalf OF what he Was entitled In.
but sixteen years had already elapsed
since his property HAD been
CONFISCATkD
and he wanted the money before he
died. The money was not paid upon
one prete Xt or another, and no action
was taken by the Spanish cortes Ia
carry out the terms of the governments
OWN propositions. 1t had been brought
up time and again in the cortes, Ar.
Mora said, and the discussion over
it had Oeen bitter and excited.
The justice of the claim WAS as
sailed, and it was always voted
down. HE Spanish minister las
meanwhile maintained in the CORE
spondcnce upon the subject THAT the pay
ment of the claim was male deps nltnt
upon the settlement of ali the Claims
pending between the TWO countries, and
that Mr.. Mora was not to he favored
above other claims. 1t is believed thar
when Senior MureUga, tie lew Spanish
minister, returns to Washington, he
will suggest to this government that
commission be appointed To which ali
claims of the citizens of the United
States and Spain against either country
may be referred for settlement.
Recently, however, Representative
Covert, Of New York, Introduced a
JOINT resolution in congress authorizing
and requesting President Cleveland -
take the measures necessary to conSunI-
mate the agreement made by Spain 10
pay Mr.. More SI.5J0, 900, and also for
interest from the time the money Should
have been paid uuder The agreement.
Acting under This resolution, prtSi-
dent Cleveland has. through the secre-
lary of state, communicated with tie
Spanish government, which would ac-
countfor the present activity III the
matter by the Spanish secretary OF
state.