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 Were Confiscated In
1869-He Was offered 81, 5OO,-
600 in 1SS6-Antonio Maxine
Mora Will Have the Assistance
OF Uncle sam in Making His
Demand.
New YORK, Sept. 29.-Antonio Maxi
mo Mora, whose claim for S3,000,00O is
now being investigated by the state de-
partment of Spain, as told in 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
filled this position during Presi-
dent Clevelahd's 1irst 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-inlaw, John l.. Mandin, he denied
shat he was citizen of Cuba at the
time his estates were confiScated, saving
that he had been citizen of the United
States since 1853, and had done business
here for fifty-three years. He came to
New York to live, and opened four of
fees for the sale OF sugar from his pianta-
tons in the districts of CardenaS aud
C0lona, Cuba.
"a rebellion was in progress against
Spanish rule iii 1863" continued Mr.
Mora, but l took no part in it what
ever, although | was in Cuba for tae
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 III Cuba were seiZt d by the officials
OF the Spanish government. They also
arrested me, but had no evidence mat
was dislOyal, and almost lmmediately
released me. demanded my proper y,
but WAS refused. The plantation had ii
value of about S4.0OO, GOO, and this
amount IS all | ever claimed"
Mr.. Mora emphatically denied that he
had ever assigned his claim or any part
OF IL to syndicate, and if it is p&id says
that he will receive all of it except legal
expenses. Being an American citizen
he appealed at once to the government
OF the United States. which made de
mand OH Spain for the estate OF tile
amount claimed. A release OF the estate
was ordered by SPY n in a general de
cree of July y, f0ro. ana by special
decree of Sept ) and Nov. Z. 1873, and
OF Feb. s, 1876. but the CUBAN officials
still held TO the property.
On June 30. 1856, the Spanish govern
ment offered voluntarily to pay Nh.
Mora fixed sum in indemnity in lieu
of restoration of his estate ) i:;ister
MOreto, i'll tote To the United States
minister Curry on Nov. 20. 1885. fixed
the Indemnity at 81. $4,000, which was
to be charged upon the Cuban bud,;, t..
Mr.. Mora agreed, through Minister
Curry, TO accept this amount in settle
ment.
Nh. Mora said that he did not consider
this was nalf OF what he vas emitted H..
but sixteen years had already elapst d
since his property haG been
CONFISCATED
and he wanted the money before he
| died. The money was not pad upon
one prete Xt or another, aAd no action
was taken by the Spanish cortes Ia
carry out the terms of The gOyvynirent's
OWN propositions. 1t had been brought
D l.
Mora said, and the discussion over
! it had Ueen bitter and excited.
| The Justice of the claim WAS as
sailed, and it was always voted
| down. The Spanish minister has
meanwhile maintained in the CORE
| spondcnce upon the subject that thepay
meut of the claim was made dependent
upon the settlement of ali tn" claims
| pending between the Two countries, and
that Mr.. Mora was not to he favored
| above other claims. 1t is believed that
when SenOr MureOga, the new Spanish
| minister, returns to Washington, he
will suggest to this government that a
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 :,
JOINT resolution in congress- authorizing
and requesting President Cleveland T.
take the measures necessary to cunaunI-
mate the agreement made by Spain u
| pay Mr.. More Sl.5J0O00, and also fol-
| interest from the ume the money Should
have been paid uIGer the agreement.
Acting under This resolution, freSi-
dent cleveland has. through the secre
lary of state, communicated with the
| Spanish government, which would ac-
count for the present activity in the
matter by the Spanish secretary oi
state.