The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-21
WAS CLEVELAND'S PLAN.
United States Vessels Assem-
BILE to Carry Out the
Intention.
A PRECEDENT IN NICARAGUA.
Now That Spain VIII Pay the Money
No Hostile Steps VIII Be
Taken.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. 20-After
many years of controversy, the claim OF
Maxine Mora, a naturalized American
citizen. against the Government of Spain
for the value OF his sugar plantation in
Cuba, has been amicably settled, or rather,
practically so, for Spain has until Septem-
Der Is to make the payment. SPANS final
and positive agreement to pay at an early
date was made some time ago, but since
the Cabinet Council at Madrid committed
the Government to that promise diff
Guilty arose through further decision of
the Council not TO pay the interest on the
claim, amounting to about s500,0O0
1t was believed at the time that this at
titude of the Cabinet would result in seri-
Gus difficulty between the United States
and Spain. The patience of the Washing
ton Government has been worn out through
SPANS constant policy of making promises
and then failing to keep them. So seri-
ously did this Government view the re-
fusal 10 pay the interest that a plan that
might have involved the United States in
war with Spain, but probably would not,
was decided on by the President, Secretary
Olney and Secretary Herbert. This was
no less than an intention to seize Havana
and hold that port until the Spanish Gov
eminent laid down the amount of the in
terest or the customs revenue amounting
to the full interest had been collected at
the Havana Custom-house by the United
States officers, who would be placed in
charge.
The statement that this plan was practi
cally arranged is made on the best author
ity. In coming to such a conclusion the
administration found a precedent in the
recent action of Great Britain in Selling
the port of Corinto, Nicaragua, for the pur-
pose of collecting indemnity claimed for
subjects who had suffered at the hands of
the Nicaraguan Government during the
Mosquito troubles.
Rear-Admiral Bunce, commanding the
North Atlantic squadron now cruising in
New England waters, was selected as the
officer to command the expedition to Ha-
vana, and his feet was to consist of the
New York, the Montgomery. the Raleigh
and the Minneapolis, at present composing
the squadron of evolution, the Cincinnati,
now at Key West. Fla. and such other
vessels as could be prepared for service on
time. 1t is stated in this connection that
the eyolutions which the strategic squad
ron is supposed to be practicing along the
Atlantic coast are merely designed to sat
isfy curiosity as to the assemblage of such
a large number of vessels.
There was little doubt in the minds of
those who arranged the plan for the seizure
of Havana that Spain would pay the in
demnity very quickly when she learned of
the character of the persuasion to be en-
ployed by this Government. The waiver
of Mora, however, with regard to the in
terest, obviates the necessity OF carrying
out the plan, which Spain. by prompt pay
ment, would probably not have allowed to
proceed further than the receipt Of an ul-
timatum that the interest must be paid or
Havana would be seized.
The agreement between Spain, the
United States and Mora was arranged after
repeated conferences between Secretary
Olney, Senior Dupuy de LONE, the Span
ish Minister, and Mora's attorney.
Secretary Olney is at Falmouth and
Senior de Iona is at Swampscott, and
Mora and his attorney were summoned to
Massachusetts, to sign the agreement.
Mora valves all claim for interest and
Spain, represented Dy Senor de LONE,
agrees to make the payment on September
10. The principal of the claim is 81 800. 900,
and it is to be paid in Spanish gold. When
the agreement was made Mora asked that
the money be paid to a representative OF
the United States or his attorney either in
Washington or Madrid, but Senior de Lone
insisted that it should be paid to Morals
attorney by Martinez Campos, the Captain
General of Cuba, in Havana. This dispute
could not be arranged and does not appear
in .he articles of agreement.