Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-01-25
TWO SENSATIONAL RUMORS
France to Recognize Cubans for a
Commercial Treaty.
The French 10 MonopoIize the Is
lands Trade--Britain to Loan
Spain Money and Take
Custom Houses.

Washington, Jan. 17.-Within the past
sixty hours the Cuban situation has as
sumed a complexion OF somewhat seri-
GUS Importance to the United States IL
the rumors afioat are true. 1t was re-
ported last week that the representa-
tives of the Cuban government had re-
ceived overtures from France looking
to the arrangement Of plans whereby
the French republic would recognize
the rights of the belligerents in the
island. The invitation, 1t was said, pro-
vided for the reception OF a commission
from the Cuban government, equipped
with full authority to enter into a broad
reciprocity treaty between France and
Cuba in return for the recognition OF
the latter by the European republic.
AS stated, this treaty was intended To
be even more generous thar anything
OF the kind ever entered into between
nations. and was TO be practically the
establishment Of free trade between the
countries, France thus to secure a vir-
tual monopoly of the Cuban tobacco and
sugar trade. These negotiations are
still in progress, II is said.
Another n more serious part OF the
complicated condition, however. is
found in the statement being freely
made that England has offered to give
Spain another loan coupled with provi-
sions that are extraordinary. The pro-
visions under which England Is said to
have offered To restore the depleted ex-
chequer Of Spain and enable her to con-
tinue the war against the revolution
lists are that she Is to take possession OF
the various custom houses OF Cuba n
hold them as a security for the payment
Of the interest and principal of the loan.
II is pointed out that no other country,
and particularly the United States,
could object to England thus taking
possession Of the custom houses, as she
would hold them merely as a creditor.
Just as she did the custom house at Cor
into, Nicaragua, recently, which she
seized in order to assure the payment OF
the indemnity, and which she held until
that debt was paid.
This government did not interpose
any objection 10 the course Of England
In that instance; even when the Corlnto
custom house was forcibly taken, and
II is held that the United States could
not object, II II desired to. TO Great Brit
aims control OF the Cuban ports when 1t
was brought about by a mutual agree
ment between herself and Spain.
Naturally his new phase OF the ques-
ton Is receiving thoughtful attention in
official circles, and, coupled with the
growing sentiment all over the country
and Ar Increasing belief OF the part OF
representatives and senators that the
war being prosecuted by the revolution
lists is something more than "a mere up
rising, there are many who believe that
political exigencies." as they are
called, canno very long withhold he
recognition OF the Cubans' rights as
belligerents by the United states.
Those who are open and ardent In
their demand for such action point out
that the Spanish government is evident
ly powerless To put down the revolution,
and that any bargain with England
which would give her another posses
sion in the West Indies which would be
practically the result OF her taking pos
session of the Cuban ports, would be an
additional menace to the sovereignty of
the United States in the American on
tinent. II is considered highly prob
able, therefore, that Cuba and its af-
fairs Will receive a great deal more at
~tention by the administration n con-
~-o~- 4l~- 49, la~-~ hksi- .0n.o-
Mr.. GonZalo de Quesada, who is one OF
the Cuban representatives here. I'm COM
pany with President IA "a, was asked
by a reporter II there vas any founda-
ton for the rumofs TIE. rance was ne
~gotiating with the Cubf . revolutionists
to recognize them as beillgerents in re-
turn for a reciprocity reaty with their
government when II was fully estab-
lished. Mr.. Quesada said that he did
not feel at liberty TO say anything on
that subject. especially in the absence
OF President Palma.