The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-08-28
To Have Seized Havana
Plan of the President to Force
Spain 20 Settle.

WASHINGTON, Aug 20.-Afser many
years of controversy the claim of
Maxima Mora, naturaIized Ameri-
can 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 September Is to make
the payment Spain's final and posi-
tive 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, difficulty arose through
further decision of the council not to
pay the interest on the claim, amount.
ing to about 100000. 1t was be-
lieved at the time that this attitude
of the cabinet would result in SER
ious difficulty between the United
States and Spain. The patience Of
the Washington government has been
worn out through Spain's persistent
policy of making promises and then
failing to keep them
So seriously did this government
put the refusal to pay the interest
that 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 government laid down the
amount of the interest, or until Gus
toms revenues 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 practically arranged is made
on the best authority.
In coming to such serious concIu-
sion, the administration found a pre-.
cedent in the recent action of Great
Britain in seizing the port of Corinto,
Nicaragua, for the purpose of collect
ing indemnity claimed for subjects
who had suffered at the hands of the
Nicaraguan government during the
Mosquito troubles. Rear Admiral
Bunce, commanding the North Allan
tic squadron, now cruising in New
England waters, was selected as the
officer fit to command the expedition
to Havana, and his fleet was to con-
sist of the New York. the Montgom
cry, the Raleigh and the Minneapolis,
at present composing the squadron Of
evolutions, the Cincinnati, now at
Key West. Fla and such other YES
sells as could be prepared for service
in time. 1t is claimed in this con.
nection that the evolutions which the
strategic squadron is supposed to be
practicing along the Atlantic coast
are merely designed to satisfy Curl
osity 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 indemnity very quick
ly when she learned Of the cbarac-
ter of the persuasion to be employed
by this government The waiver of
Mora, however. with regard to the
interest obviates the necessity Of
carrying out the plan, which Spain
by prompt payment would probably
not have allowed to proceed further
than the ultimatum that the interest
must be paid, CIR Havana would be
seized The agreement between
Spain, the United States and Mora
was arranged after repeated con-
ferences between Secretary Olney,
Senior Depuy De Lone, the Spanish
minister. and Mora's attorney Sec
retary Olney is at Falmouth and Senor
De LONE at Swamp Scott and Mora
and his attorney were summoned to
Massachusetts to sign the agree
ment. Mora valves all claim for in.
terest and Spain, represented by
Seuor De Lone, agrees to make the
payment on September Is The
principal of the claim is 81, ,500.0 900
and it is to be paid in Spanish gold.
When the agreement was made,
Mora asked that the money be paid
to representative of the United
States or his attorney either in Wash
ington or Madrid, but Senior De
Lone insists that it should be paid to
Mora's attorney by Martinez Campos,
the Captain General Of Cuba, in Ha-
This 1icc,,fo could uNt ba or.