The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-05-06
SPAIN ROBBED By YER SOLDIERS.
An American Just Back from Cuba says
Me1lor Dc GettinE Rich RapldIy.


F. II. Thompson. an electrical engineer, has
Just returned to New York from Cuba. where ho
resided for seven years. While in Cuba Mr..
thompson was manager Of the Havana Gas and
Electric Light Company, a corporation con-
trolled by representative Spaniards and located
at San Antonio de los Barros, q town twenty.one
miles from Havana and in tho centre OF tho
active operations of the insurgent forces in tho
province OF Havana. Mr.. Thompson says that
Weyler has not pacifed the province Of Havana,
that hc Is not making any approciable effort in
this direction. and that no docs not care to
terminate tho rebellion for tho reason that his
Captain.G encralship yields too large an income.
In this respect, Mr.. Thompson says, other officers
of the Spanish army are fully in accord with
Wcyler's policy.
Il presume there Is no Government in the
world. civilized or barbarous," said Mr.. Thomp.
son yesterday, that Is being 30 openly robbed
by Its army officers and other officials as Spain,
and while Spain is thoroughly cognizant OF the
methods employed by tho Spanish representa-
tivcs In Cuba she Is at u loss to remedy the con-
ditions, as tho Spsniards are nothing II not OK
tremely mercenary and interruptions.
During my residence in Cuba 1 was placed
in a position to gain an insight into the methods
employed by both army officers and men con-
nected with the customs service and tax
bureaus. Tho gentlemen interested in tho com
pany by which 1 was employed were Spaniards
OF high social standing. and l was brought into
close relations with them. There was no dis
position on their part to conceal the corruption
which exists in official circles. and in fact these
men have abused their authority for so many
years that they now believe it to be their right,
and, as q consequence, are very bitter against
the Cubans for having protested in such a Wig
orous manner. According to the Spanish law
regulating the military service officers de-
tailed on active, service in either Cuba or tho
ing an insurrection have n chance for promotion.
which is practically denied them in Spain. In
addition to this there Ia an endless opportunity
for defrauding the Government by reporting the
loss Of ordnance and stores which are not lost.
and after an engagement in which fifty or sixty
mon have been killed making a return Of from
dead men are carried on tho payroll and
the officers divide the money according
to rank. The result is that Spain is monthly
paying for thousands Of soldiers who have
disease. The effect Of this is that the officers
are arrant towards. They SOC that It is to their
advantage to. prolong the war, and. while do
ing, they never run any chances OF being killed
in the insignificant scrimmaCes which occur.
The Spanish simply don't want to fight, and the
drain OF ST.. 100000 a month. the cost Of carry.
ing on the war, are satisfied with prolonging the
rebellion until Spain 10 absolutely bankrupt.
They know how the Government Is being robbed
The robbing of the Government is not con-
fined to the army. Corruption exists to rs great
or perhaps a greater extent in the customs SER
process OF liquidation by which the person pay
Ing tho tax. the customs broker. and the Gus
toms official form a combination to defraud the
plan is followed, in the collection of the SECULAR
or income tax"