Evening star., 1897-03-08
Cubans Rejoice Over Their Deplora-
bic and Hopeless Condition.
QUESADA DESCRIBES TEE SITUATION
The Cause of the Revolution, He
Declares, Will Be Successful.
GENERAL AMERICAN FEELING

I'VE arc receiving information every day
from Cuba" said Senor Gonzalo de Ques-
ada to Star reporter this morning, show
ing most gratifying progress toward sue
cess on the part of the revolutionists, and
correspor ding retrogression on the part
of the Spaniards. The latter are becom
ing more and more discouraged and dis
heartened and almost open mutiny exists
in many parts of the army in the island.
From private letters l have received the
distrust of the Spanish on account of the
effects of their policy regarding the issue
of paper currency is extending even to the
classes who have hitherto from selfish mo-
tives pretended to have sympathy with
the cause of Spain. The paper currency
is now at 40 per cent discount, and even at
that figure no one Is willing to take ii.
All the business payments and exchanges
in Cuba have to be paid in gold, and con-
sequertly a deprecated currency, such as
have described, affects the business class
es to greater extent than any other.
THE news from Madrid" continued
Quesada, "as to the financial situation of
Spain shows that she is on the verge of
bankruptcy. The Spanish official gazette
colonies ordering the sale of 1900 bonds
of 800 francs each, total of 2,30O,Goo
francs. These are the last of the colonial
bonds remaining at Spain's disposal. The
bonds will probably bring in round num-
bers about 2,OO0O0O francs. On the same
date that they to be sold Spain has to
pay 15,UO,OW francs interest on the loans
to which those bonds belong.
Other Immense Obligations.
Furthermore, on the 18th of April, May,
June and July, respectively, there are due
and Spain must take up the promissory
notes which she issued last year on SINH
lar dates amounting in the aggregate to
~ NM Il,
also has to pay another 15000,000 francs
quarterly interest on colonial bonds In
round numbers. Spain within the next
five months will be compelled to pay nearly
9o.OU,OO francs, and. besides this, she has
to keep up her army, her navy and meet
the expenses of the budget. which will un-
doubtedly require another 150,0O0.0O0
francs. Counting all her resources at her
own figures Spain will have a deficit of
1OOOO,UOO francs, which will be added to
a deficit already of 7O,O00,OO francs and
her 457,OO.0O0 francs of floating debt
Naturally, Cubans regard this condition
with hopeful satisfaction" said Senior
Quesada. Spain has costly war in the
Philippines on her hands. to which she will
have to send 10000 additional men. Her
fcrces in Cuba are disorganized and di-
Spain taking 400 or 500 sick and invalid
| soldiers. The hospitals the island are
filled, and the rainy season is again ap-
preaching.
American Sentiment Must Prevail,
The sentiment of the American people
in favor of the independence of Cuba is be-
| coming more and more pronounced and
| cannot long be denied appropriate action
on the part of the government in my opin-
ion, he continued. State legislatures are
speaking out in no uncertain terms. The
other day 1t was Michigan and today we
received official notification of the action
of the North Dakota legislature
Hereupon Senior Quesada handed The
Star reporter copy of the resolution given
be.ow, attested by E. A. Williams, speaker.
and II. Z. Lavayea, chief clerk of the North
Dakota house, and J. NJ. Devine. president.
and j. 0. Smith. secretary of the senate.
| 1t reads follows:
BE it resolved by the house of repre-
sentatves. the senate concurring. That we
watch with deep and abiding interest the
/ her oic battle of the Cuban patriots against
cruelty and oppression, and our best hopes
go out for the full success of their de-
termined contest for liberty. The govern
ment of Spain having lost control of Cuba,
| and being unable to protect the property
! ard lives of resident American citizens, or
| to comply with its treaty obligations, We
| believe that the government of the United
| States should actively use its influence and
| its good offices to restore peace and to give
| Independence to the island"
| The legislature also passed a concurrent
| resolution ordering that copy of the fore
| going should be sent to Senior Quesadd for
| transmits sion to the president of the Cuban
| rerublic.
| After reading and copying the resolution
i The Star reporter asked Senor Quesada
| whether there was any news of a definite
| nature about the departure of filibusterng
| expeditions. The charge d'affaires smiled
| broadly at this direct question. and re-
| ferred the reporter to the ever vigilant
| Dupuy de LONE