The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-16
PAPER MONEY BRINGS A PANIC
SPANISH FINANCES IN A BAD WAY
IN CUBA.

The Prices of the Necessaries of Life
Double Within Few Days-The
Government Paying Its Employees
in Script 80 Per Gent. Below Par.
The Government Expected to RE
fuse to Receive Paper Money for
Tnxcs-COmmissiOne Calhoun at
Havnna-The Movements OF Gen.
Gomez.
Havana. May 15.-The decision of the
government against the exchanging of
bank bills for silver coin has caused a
panic. Prices of bread, milk and other
necessities of life have doubled within the
past few days. The working classes, as
well as all government employees, both
civil and military, openly expressed their
dissatisfaction with the action of the gov
ernment In paying them in script, which
is 80 per cent. below par 1t IL believed
the government will no longer accept pa
per money in payment of taxes. In that
event further depreciation of the paper
money may be expected.
Through Consul Gneral Lee, w. j. Cal
houn, the special commissioner appointed
by the United States to investigate the
killiB of DR.. Ruiz, officially notified the
Spanish government of the fact of his ar
rival, adding that he was awaiting COM
munications from the Spanish govern
ment and the naming of a representative
who is expected to cooperate with him.
Consul General Lee and Special Com
missioner Calhoun yesterday visited the
city Jail and talked with the prisoners
there. Among those interviewed were
Senor Vionda. attorney for Gen. Julio San
gully, and Senior Garcia, the correspon-
dent of a New York newspaper. Senor
Garcia is charged with publishing ''unre-
liable and alarming anti-Spanish news"
Senior Garcia attempted to plead Ameri-
can citizenship in defense, but so far he
has been unable to produce the proofs of
this citizenship, and 1t Is doubtful whether
he will be able to demonstrate that he Is
a citizen of the United States.
Consul General Lee has entered a pro-
test at the palace against the violation
of American mails at the Havana post
office.
According to official advlces received
here, Con- Gomez, fleeing before the col
umn of Capt. Gen. Weyler. Is now in the
virgin forests of the province of Puerto
Principe, west of the Jucaro Moron torcha.
Others, there are who believe that he has
succeeded in crossing the torcha and per-
sonally escaping by sea with a few men.
II seems to be pretty well settled, however,
that he is now at least several hundred
miles from Havana and consequently there
is little fear of an attack on the city OF
Havana by the insurgents.
Calixto Soto, a. surrendered lieutenant
from the camp of Gen. Gomez, reports that
Gen. Gomez during the winter campaign
did not cross the river Zaza. He march
ed through Santa Teresa, La Majagnon
and lie Reforma zones. and is now sup
posed to be in the vicinity of the last men,
toned place. He wanted to invade the
western provinces, but the insurgent gov
ernment would not allow him to do this,
fearing the superior Spanish forces Co
mez still continues his former tactis, de-
clining to fight and confining his military
operations to light ekrmishing. He re-
lies upon the wet season time, the break
ing down of the finacial system of the
Spanish government and the ravages of
disease among the Spanish forces to bring
about the triumph of his cause.