The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-07-05
SPIN MUST PROMPT.
Delay in Paying Mora's Claim May Not
BE Tolerated.

WASHINGTON, July 4.-The State De-
partment, so far as can be ascertained,
has received no advice from Minister
nannIs Taylor, at Madrid, confirming the
remarkable press dispatches TO the ef-
feet that a committee or a commits
sion, as another dispatch puts It. has
been apponted by the Spanish Govern
nnent TO consider the representations or
the United States regarding the classih-
cation OF the estate of Antonio Maxine
Nora. an American citizen residing on
the island of Cuba. Definite information
on the subject was not available to-day
for the reason that Assistant Secretary
Uhl. who. in the absence OF Secretary
C.ney in Massachusetts. IS in
charge of the Department. LETT
at midday for New York, whence
he will sail for Europe for vacation.
and Second Assistant Secretary Adee,
who now becomes the acting Secretary Of
State. had scarcely had time to assume
Tie full duties of his office.
II was. nevertheless. predicted that II
the Madrid dispatches should be con-
frmed by message from Minister Tay-
lor. some very decisive action on the
part of the UI-ted States might be ex-
pected.
This question has passed beyond the do
main of committees" or commissions. -
The position Of the United States I'm the
matter has been distinctly asserted. Mr.
Gresham, December p, 1873. instructed
Minister TAYLOR to express to the Span
ish Minister of Foreign Affairs I'm a
courteous but distinct manner, the opin-
ion Of the Government of the United
States that IT is entitled without fur
Iner delay to an answer in regard - the
Nora claim. upon the basis Of IAN UNI
conditional promise OF payment"
In a proposition for "A joint claim COM
mission of Spain and the United States
which was pending when Secretary
Gresham died, it was distinctly stated j.;
1.-THE claim OF Antonio Maxine Mora
against Spain. having been already set
tied shall not be within the competence
of the commission
Gne state Department. I'm numerous dig
patches to the United States representa-
tives at Madrid has taken similar ground,
that the Mora claim was not a matter
open for discussion by a commission.
Secretary Gresham. March 8. 1882 con-
veyed to Charge dAnaircs SnOWden. at
Madrid. a distinct rcbuke for 1.-THE mis-
apprehension into which you CSnOwdem
have fallen, OF regarding the Mora claim
as one 70 be reopened instead OF being
comrrehendel IN the proposed agreement
as an Offset already liqudatod and only
awaiting payment"
All This correspondence was laid before
/ Congress at its last session. and after It's
/ full consideration q resolution was adopt
4 ed calling for the prompt settlement OF
! the claim. I'm view Of these facts. any
suggestion Of n committee or "com-
mission" to pass upon an already adJu-
dicated matter would probably be re-
| garled as n trifing evasion Of an IN
tornational responsibility. and would brina
| the Government Of the United States face
TO face with a stern necessity. which
| Minister Hannis Taylor himself suggests
! I'm one Of his dispatches. I'm the follow
ing words. II am convinced that nothing
practical will ever be accomplished with
out n firm. maybe n stern. insistenco
upon the issues as made"
lie then asked for personal instructions
as 10. the attitude he was to assume.
Those Instructors IT would seem. cannot
lee much longer delayed, II they have not
been already sent
MADRID, July 4.-The Spanish Govern
ment has appointed committee 10 con-
slider the claims Of the United states re-
garding the couiiseatiOn OF the estate OF
Antonio Maxine Mora, an American citI-
zen residing on the island of Cuba.
The value Of the property taken from
! Mora was alleged 10 be about $3.50 90
| This was done during a previous insur-
| rectibn i'm cuba. In December, 1855
Spain promised 10 pay 81. $4,000 under this
claim, with interest on such part Of the
indemnity as snoul be deferred.