Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-08-21
MAMMA MORA CLAIM
After Many Years the Controversy With
Spain Is Settled.
THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN WAR.
This Government Proposed to Seize
Havana In Certain COntingencies-
ever, Solves All Difficulty.

WASHINGTON, d. c., August %
After many years OF controversy the
claim of Maxima Mora, naturalzed.
American citizen, against the Government
of Spain for the value OF his sugar
plantations in Cuba has been amicably
settled. or. rather practically so, for
spain has until September 18th to make
the payment.
SPANS final and positive agreement to
nay at an early date was made some
time ago. but since the Cabinet Council
at Madrid committed the government to
that promise. a difficulty arose through
n further decision of the Council not to
nav the interest on the claim. amount
ing TO about 10000. 1t was believed
at the time that this attitude of the Cabi-
net would result in serious difficulty be-
tween the United States and Spain.
The patience Of the Washington gov
eminent has been worn cat through
SPANS consistent policy of making
promises and then failing to keep them.
So seriously did this government view
the refusal TO 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 Prssi-
dent. Secretary Olney, and secretary
Herbert This was no less than an in
tention to seize Havana and hold that
port until the Spanish Government
laid down the amount Of interest. or
until customs revenues amounting to
the fun interest had been collected at
the Havana custOm-house by the United
State officers who should be placed IN
charge. The statement that this plan
was practically arranged is made on the
best authority.
\ PRECEDENT.
In coming to such a serious conclusion
the administration found a precedent In
the recent action OF Great Britain in
Selling the Port of Corinto Nicaragua for
the purpose Of collecting an indemnity
claimed for subjects who had suffered NJ
the hands Of the Nicaraguan Government
during the Mosquito troubles
Rear-Admiral Bunce. commanding the
North Atlantic squadron, now cruising III
New England waters. was selected as ths
officer 20 command the expedition L. Hd-
vana. and his fleet was 10 consist II the
New York. the Montgomery, the Raleish'
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 Tor service
IN time.
IL is stated I'm this connection that me
evolutions which the strategic squadron Is
supposed 10 be practicing along the Allan
tic coast are merely designed 70 satisfy
curiosity as 10 the assembL1ee OF such q
large number Of vessels. There was little
doubt in the minds Of those who arrans i
the plans for the seizure of Havana maj
Spain would pay the indemnity very quick
Is when she learned Of the character OF
the plans to be employed 10y this govern
ment.
The waiver of Mora. however, with re-
gard 20 the interest, ohviates the neces-
sity Of carrying out the pan which spain.
by prompt payment, would probably aot
have allowed 10 proceed further than the
receipt Of an ultimatum that the intsrest
must be paid or Havana would be seized.
PRESENT AGREEMENT
The agreement between Spain, the
United States, and Mora was arranged
after repeated conferences between Sec
rotary Olncy. Senior Dupuy de LONE. the
Spanish Minister. and Mora's attorney.
Secretary Olney is at Falmouth. ana
Senior de LONE at Swampscot. and Mora
and his attorney were summoned 10 Mas
sachusetts to sign the agreement.
Mora valves all claim for interest, and
Spain, represented by Senior de Lone
agrees to make the payment on Septem-
Der 18th.
The principal of the claim is $4,000
and II is 10 be paid in Spanish gold.
When the agreement was made Nora
asked that the money be paid 10 a repre-
sentative OF the United States 'or his at
torney, either in Washington or Madrid.
but Senior De LONE insisted that II should
be paid 10 Mora's attorney by Martinez
Campos. the Captain-General Of Cuba,
in Havana. This dispute could not be
arranged. and does not appear in the
articles OF agreement.