The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-05-06
The Standard OIL Company Figures IN
the Game and Three United states
Senators Involved.
ANOTHER REBEL VICTORY
MACEO's MEN TO EXECUTE ANOTHER
sPANIARD SHORTLY.
Gen. CaIIcja Returns 10 Madrid from
Cuba with n Significant story OF
the Insurgents strength.

NEW YORK, May 5-The following SEN
sational story OF the cause OF the Cuban
revolution is in the World:
The Cuban revolution involves and 10 a
large extent arises from a great interna-
tional scandal in whic.. eminent citizens
OF this country and Spain are implicated.
Enormous bribes have been systematically
paid for concessions in Spanish and CUBAN
trade which were practically frauds on
the Spanish government. The protests OF
honest merchants here and in Cuba and OF
honest consuls and others against these
frauds so restricted and hampered the
operations of the corporations that leading
men interested in them have urged on fhe
insurgents i'm Cuba. The revolt is prac-
tically backed by a syndicate OF American
capital The headquarters are in Phiiadel-
phia, but IL embraces men and corporations #,
of national prominence in New York AMI
elsewhere. The object is TO harass the
Spanish government. which threatened TO in
terfere with its privileges. and 10 provide
itself with a claim the revolution
succeeds. on the good offices OF the new
government.
Six years ago the Spanish govcrnmenr
discovered it was being done out of over
sl.5oo.oOO year by the Standard oil Com
pany and its agents. At that time the laws
regulating the tariff on oil and other
products OF petroleum in Spain were sup
posed TO be sufficient to prevent fraud But
mighty power had made itself felt in the
Cortes and the ports OF entry IN the king
dom. Through this influence the laws wexe
construed in favor of the monopolists, and
despite the protests of honest consuls, the
practice continued. Finally information on
the subject was given sucn publicity by an
lndlscreet employe that the government was
obneed 10 take action IN a perfunctOry way.
but the result was of no lasting importance.
The duty high on refined oil while
the crude entered on low tax. To meet
the emergency the highly refined oil was
coiored with a harmless chemical and en-
tered. as crude. Once out of the custom
house it was Uttered at slight expense and
put on the market as the highest grade oil
and at an enormous profit. This was the
situation I'm Madrid. where the government
was pershing for money.
A SIMILAR GAME.
In America the same game was played
with Cuba. Two years ago there was no
restriction oil shipped TO Cuba from
America except the duty. Under the favor
able treaty dealers doing business in the
United States were allowed 25 per cent.
discount on the tariff. American money
at the time was in greater demand in
Havana than in Madrid, and the glad
hand yellow with gold. was soon extended.
1t was laid on officials of power where
IL did the most good. IL was discovered
that the agents of the Standard Oil Com
pany were receiving unheard of favors. Old
merchants suddenly found themselves bar
red from that market. Large commissions
dealers in New York and Philadelphia en-
gagged in shipping coal, oil and flour and
other products began an investigation.
They applied 10 the authorities for an
explanation. They asked why they were
allowed to send refined oil to only two
int Lnt~a ns.A
oil only to Havana. They asked why all
other ports were closed TO Us.
An inquiry was made and Minister Murua-
qua in Washington wrote the GoVernor-gen-
eral In Cuba and said he could not believe
that determinations were made in favor OF
monopoly. To his surprise he was told
that such restrictions did exist. Despite
the protests of indignant merchants and the
reports of consuls on the illegality of the
elimination in favor of the Standard Oil
Company continued. IL is true that a show
was made OF remedying the abuse but for
reform in one branch of the customs three
extortions were permitted in other diree-
tons.
Meanwhile a secret investigation was
made i'm New York and other points from
which the oil and its products were shipped
Ii was discovered that the syndicate had
given bribes 10 the amount OF $4,000. The
money was divided into three portions. One
Was 10 certain officials i'm New York. an
other was dropped into an official Office n
Havana, another portion went IN bulk 10
another official. This discovery seemed TO
paralyze the entire Spanish legation. OF
course the merchants fighting for business
against the Standard Oil Company had
knowledge OF these payments beyond the
fact that a powerful interest prevailed m
favor of the monopoly both in Cuba and
Spain.
II is claimed that Minister Maruagul.
who recently resigned. was angry when ne
discovered how mucn money had been sent
here in favor OF the monopoly. IL IL SSH
that feeble attempts have been made In the
way of protest and investigation 10 remedy
the abuse which suppressed legitimate trade.
Indeed, the investigators stood appalled,
when they learned what the power was that
they were combating.
Formely two standards of specific tests
we're the basis. OF the levy OF duty in Span
ish custom houses. but through this infu-
ence the obnoxious features OF the Law
were abolished leaving but one test 10 be
| made and that wholly I'm favor OF the CON-
psny. This was easy. because tho spanish
| appliances for testing were inferior ant the
chemical experiments OF the cruieSt cnsrac-
ter. Any effort 10 introduce the latest i'm
| provements for testing oil shipments were
This standard of density prevails to-day.
| and enables the monopoly. With It's other
| privileges, to keep ABSOLUTE possession OF the
Spanish and Cuban oil trade.
THE ROTHSCHILDS. TOO.
1t is alleged that back OF all the agents
and great shipping firms representing the
| Standard oil Company in Europe is tho
| house OF the Rothschilds. Their agents are
| the well-known Dutch oil dealers Messrs
| Toureade & Co. Through their influence
| Spanish legislation is said 10 be shaped IN
| order TO further the interests OF the syndi-
| cate This explains why the monopoly Is
| able 10 ship highly refined oil into Spain
| under the crude tariff schedule. while all
the other dealers are forced TO pay the
| highest duty.
But there is another phase to this ques-
tion showing the power OF the monopoly.
IL - said that If a merchant goes 10 the
STANDARD OH Company with proposition 10
| buy quantities of oil, he will be asked where
| IL is TO be delivered.
Cuba" he says.
Then you can't have it, Is The reply.
That ends IL. Protest. threats lawsuits
and bribes avail nothing in this night for
honest business. So far the Cuban trade
| Is concerned. IL is said the two firms con-
trolling IL are Atnirall e. Co. OF New York,
| and Conil A. Co. OF Havana. These firms
alone buy OH from the Standard OIL
Company for Cuba. AI others cannot buy a
| dollars worth Of oil FOR Cuba shipments so
reputable merchants claim.
The war I'm Cuba is but development OF
| the struggle for possession OF the trade OF
| the island by the American syndicate. In
irigue for extending the monopoly Was be-
gun in Madrid less than Two years ago.
| All the concessions demanded were In a
fair way TO be granted through the Kind
| Offices IL is said. OF the late Minister Nu-
ruagua, who WAS then in Spain.
But rival interests sent a protest 20
| WASHINGTON and threatened TO make an
expose i'm the newspapers II the treaty