New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-12

transactions the decree Is not so specific. The
major part Of the little pay which the troops
have received has been In bilietes at their race
value. Promise IL made that back obligations
beginning with May will be paid in scrip at It's
official or quoted value. The troops have been
paid for February. Apparently their hire for
March and April will be liquidated In depre-
ciated currency. Private creditors Of the Gov
eminent are asking solicitousy whether obliga-
lions contracted in silver gold are TO be
settled in biletes on the basis Of 40 cents on
the dollar. which seems likely to be the quota.
ZION for billetes for some time to come They do
not receive a satisfactory answer. The task OF
readjusting past financial affairs to new condi-
tons is so huge that It cannot be attempted for
a long time to come. possibly until peace is re-
stored. But for the future there Is a ray OF
hope.
Following this step toward lifting the island
out Of monetary anarchy. the sugar planters ana
tobacco growers are asking. with some anxiety
whether the authorities are able TO take imme-
date measures to insure the early marketing OF
the crops. Notwithstanding the reported ar
rangement by which the sugar mills were 10
grind without molestation from the insurgents
the planters are fearful Of interference Inc
plantations around Cienfuegos have sufrcient
military protection but in other parts the
has been made to rush the work this monsh 80
that II hostilities break out with renewed nerce-
ness after the new year. as Is threatened, POI POI
ton Of the crop may be safe The planters VINO
want to push the grinding are. however. meet.
ing serious difficulties. Complaint is made tnat
many Of them have neither money nor creoit.
Labor and oxen are both at premium. "ey-
lers policy Of depopulating the country has haa
its nevitab BILE result While IL Is understood that
Gomez and the insurgent generals in the ned
have yielded to the Junta In New YORK anu
agreed to let the cane be ground, they VIII no.
permit their men to leave the ranks ana go 10
the plantations temporarily. Hands for the
fields and the mills must be found elsewhere
The ability OF the few men OF the reconcentra-
dos who remain to do this work Is doubtful
The Government will cooperate with the plant
ers In securing whatever aid is to be hao rom
the reconcentrados. II the fears OF the pant
ers that the insurgents Will interfere prove pn-
founded the abor necessary TO save all THIS
years sugar crop will ultimately be found II
cannot be had however. in suf1ciency 10 insure
the grinding Of the cane within limited period.
NO RELIEF FOR TOBACCO GROWERS.
The tobacco controversy does not end The
manufacturers and their workmen OF Havana
apparently more powerful than the growers
Of Pinar del Rio. At this writing the latter
have not obtained any concessions from the
Government. either in the modification OF the
order forbidding the expectation OF the leaf or
in certain details which they asked. They are
pressing their with urgency, and are en-
sideraton yet the authorities are slow to act
Representatives Of American commercial houses
to whom the promise revokiug the decree was
held out are also becoming impatient they ex-
pected prompt action. Madrid Is said to be the
cause of the delay. The remonstrance OF the
Havana fabrcantes has more weight there than
here IT is said that the authorities FEAR
demonstration from the Volunteers against
Americans IL the order Is revoked at present
This Is ridiculous excuse.
The reunions or meetings OF the Autonomsta
and Reformista Committees. which nave TOT
their aim the creation Of single organization
in support Of the Governments Colonial policy
develop some differences of opinion These are
not vital. The Autonomistas want to preserve
the name and the traditions OF their party un-
der the new system They dc not think 1t ad-
yisable to clothe the principles OF home rule
with a fresh garment. "rhor Moret and the
Madrid Cabinet wish for the creation Of LIB
eral party, bearing that name and correspond
ing in its aspirations and actions TO the Liberal
Party in Spain. This would insure the Govern
ment the support OF the Cuban Delegates In the
Cortes on other subjects than autonomy. It's
interest is to weaken the opposition OF the Con.
servatives. The Reformista delegates In Madrid
had given Moret assurance that this could be
done without full knowledge Of the feelings OF
the Autonomistas In Cuba The matter VIII
doubtless be arranged at future conferences