Evening journal., 1895-11-11
GREAT WAR SYNDICATE
Said to Have Been Formed to
Secure Cuba's independence.
REPORTED CAPITAL OF s2o,ooo,ooo.

It Is Proposed TO supply the Insurgents
with Munitions and Cripple Spain Finan-
ciaIIy-raDy Americans Are Said to Hc
In tho scheme.
WAsHINGToN. Nov. 1.-The report that
General Bartolome Masso the Cuban vice
president and Dr. Castillo, a prominent
inurgcnt, had sailed from Jamaica for
Now York for the purpose of establishing
q Cuban headquarters in Washington has
given rise 20 peculiar story. While no
one can be found who will vouoh for the
facts, the rumors are so persistent and
como from so many apparently reliable
sources that there may be some truth in
them.
According to the story, a number OF
wealthy men, some Of whom are interest
ed IN the Central and South American
trade, others who are friends Of Cuba
and desirous of her annexation to this
country, and Others whose interest is prin-
oipnlly pecuniary, have formed an associa-
tion somewhat on tho lines Of that dis
cussod In Frank r. Stockton's story Of
"The Great War Syndicate, " with the OBJ
ject Of securing Cuban independence
IL is said that tho aggregate wealth of
up into the hundreds Of millions, and that
the capital stock will be at least $50, OO0,-
0O0 This will be issued TO the subscribers
for about per cent cash down The other
90 per cent will bo paid by Cuba in bonds,
which will become the property of tho
syndicate. In case Independence is secured
these bonds Will be valuable and will be
distributed to the stockholders of the syn.
dicato in the shape of dividends II tho
movement fails, the bonds will, Of course,
bo worthless
General Palma is credited with having
made all the preliminary arrangements for
the deal, and Masso and Castillo are now
said to have come from Cuba as direct
representatives Of the insurgent leader in
the fold to carry out the details Of the
launching of the enterprise.
Americans Are In 10.
As matter Of course, the names Of the
Americans involved are very closely
guarded at present. Although it is claim
ed that the syndicate has no intention
whatever Of violating any law, either ma
tional or international, it is evident that
their efforts are much more likely to meet
success II they are not known to be flnan-
oially interested In the matter. However
rumor is lively with suggestions as to
those engaged. Prominent among them is
said to be a certain United States SENATOR
n millionaire several times over, who has
mado most Of his money in just such des-
perate schemes. Two or three congress
men are said to be involved, as we'll as one
or moro state department employees
These latter are TO contribute influence
rather than money to the syndicate.
A Now York firm extensively engaged
in South American trade is also 0aid to be
involved. But the bulk of the syndicate
IS made up OF New York moneyed men,
spoculators and bankers who, like the
Morgan syndicate are willing TO put up
n small stake to win a tremendous profit
The bond deal, which netted tho syndi-
cate some IS, 600, 600, would be a mere
nothing TO the present scheme If carried
out successfully.
The work Of the syndicate will bo on
two lines. First, 10 will furnish munitions
of war 20 the insurgents row IN the field.
This, it Is held can be done under our
laws with absolute impuuity. The United
States courts have decided time and again
that Americans have perfect right TO
sell arms to insurgents who have not boon
recognized as belligerents. IL is even
question whether there is anything in our
law prohibiting their sale TO unrecognized
belligerents. Enlisting men for service
against a friendly power is illegal, and
this will not be attempted.
Cubans Hopeful Of Victory.
The insurgents have claimed all along
that If they can get weapons they can
stand Off the Spanlards indefinitely. They
say that they do not need men. Their dif-
lculty has been that the Spanish fleet
blockading the island prevents arms being
landed to sufficiently great extent. With
its enormous resources and influence tho
syndicate will not have much trouble i'm
evading the Spanish feet team afford to
spend a fow hundred thousand in per-
suading Spanish commanders to be con-
veniently absent from their posts at the
right moment.
Once the Cubans are provided with
arms and assured against an immediate
overthrow, the syndicate will turn its at
tcntion to the diplomatic side OF the ques-
tion and use every effort to choke Spain
off her prey. Efforts to embroil the Unit
ed States with Spain will be made, and
every influence, public and private will
ho brought to bear on Spain The syndi-
cate, through its strong European connec-
tions, will cut of the sources of any de-
sired Spanish loans. Tho great bankers Of
the continent, who practically control tho
nations, will notify Spain that they will
not risk their money in her treasury as
longas she continues the hopeless task Of
suhduing Cuba.
1t is even contonded that other Euro
pean governments will be persuaded by
the syndicate TO advise Spain to give up
the fight and this seems not improbable
to any ono who realizes how fully the rul-
crs of Europe are in the power OF the
money lenders.
Altogether the syndicate expects TO win
nm easy and speedy victory, and to do IL
without committing a single overt act Of
war or any violation OF the laws Of the
United States.
Died Before Relief Came.
SHAMOKIN, Pa, Nov. 1.-The rescuers,