The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-17

The announcement that the republic of
Cuba is preparing to issue $1o.ooo,ooo of
6-per-cent. gold bonds indicates that the
leaders of the revolution think the time
has come to make bold bid for popu-
lar recognition at least. In common
phrase. money talks" and II the Cuban
government can negotiate a loan of that
amount the fact will go far to prove its
de facto existence and smooth the way
for future operations.
Recent dispatches have dealt SO ex-
clusively with military operations in
Cuba that the public has almost lost
sight of the fact that the insurgents
have organized a permanent govern
ment. Their first step in that direction
was the proclamation OF provisional
government In February, 1895. with Jose
Marti a distinguished Cuban patriot. as
the civil head. A few months later he
was killed In battle. and In August. 1895.
General Masso was proclaimed his sue
cessor. About the same time delegates
from the several provinces controlled by
the insurgents assembled to draft pro-
October a permanent government was
declared and a constitution adopted.
The constitution authorized the vesting
of the executive and deliberative func-
lions in a President and Cabinet. The
Cabinet was to consist OF four secre-
taries, who. together with the President
and the Vice President were to consti-
,f~,to x.;o1 ~cfI
provision made for a legislative body.
The judicial department was to be kept
distinct from the executive and delibera-
tive branches. This provisional consti-
tuition. evidently framed for the emer-
gencies OF war. was republican as far as
it went, and evidently contemplated a.
broader form Of government Five of the
six provinces of Cuba were represented
in its formation. Salvador Cisneros, a
Cuban of noble birth and large wealth.
was made President, and still holds that
position. He has been In the United
States for some time past. and is now
in Washington. 1t Is under his authori-
be made. The bonds are to become due.
principal and interest! ten years after
the evacuation of Cuba by the Spanish
forces, and the entire revenues of the
island are pledged for their redemption.
or course. the bonds of a provisional
government issued under such circum-
stances could not be expected to sell for
nearly their fhce. but prominent bankers
of New York and Boston are said to have
expressed the opinion that the Cuban
bonds will bring fair price.
The proposed placing of Cuban loan
In the United States recalls similar at
tempt made by the republic Of Mexico
at crisis in its history. In 1865, when
an effort was making to establish a
monarchy in Mexico with Macmillan as
emperor, the republican government OF
Mexico. of which Juarez was President,
put into the New York market a loan
OF $50. 100000. Payment of the bonds and
interest was guaranteed by the general
government OF Mexico and by two of the
principal state governments. and was
further secured by a special pledge or
mortgage Of 5000. 900 acres OF agricultural
and 100000 acres of mineral lands. esti-
mated to be worth in the aggregate $751;
000.o 900. During the short time that the
loan was on the American market con-
siderable amount Of the bonds was
taken. but the failure of the Macmillan
movement coming soon after caused the
loan to be withdrawn. II the American
people really sympathize with the Gu
ban cause they may have an opportunity
OF giving practical expression to their
sympathy by subscribing for the Cuban
bonds