The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-22
COL. MoCOOK'S VIEWS.
The Representative of the Bond
Syndicate Talks for Publication

syndicate Talks for Publication.
Col John J. McCook continues to infest
the White House and the departments
with last. fast-fiitting hope that he
may be able TO so present the interests
of his clients, the Cuban bondholders. TO
the President that the latter will resolve
finally on the peace-at-any-pric policy
which is so popular in Wall Street
The colonel-whO by the way. Gen.
Alexander Mcdowell McCook said, did
not belong to the lighting McCooks.
but is only distant relative-goes from
the Executive Mansion 20 the State, War
and Navy departments and thence back
to the White House. several times daily.
When he sees a senator or represent
ative approaching he buttonholes him
and endeavors to bring him to the ac-
cepted Wall Street view of the situation
He nearly always fails. for the exposure
that The Times and other American
newspapers have given to the schemes of
the bond clique has made even the most
Independent members Of Congress, with
the exception of Senator Hanna, chary
of being seen in his company.
Yesterday Mr. McCook decided that it
was about time for him TO begin to allow
himself to be interviewed again. He
gave out an intimation to the effect
that he was not averse to expressing
his views for the benefit of the poor de-
luded mortals who are only patriotic, and
do not rank with the best business in
terests' of the country.
But no reporters came to see him; his
visions of well-filled notebooks and flying
pencils did not materialize. SO he Went
over TO the Navy Department and fixed
things so that three newspaper men ask
ed him for an opinion on the present
situation.
Whether he had committed his little
piece to memory or not he did not say,
but certain it is that ne talked gIibly
and freely. He now favors Cuban in
dependence as viii be seen from his
words which We're as follows:
II do not think that Cuban independ-
ence is far off. By this l do not mean
to say that there will be a war for
do not think anything is further away
at this present moment.
How can there be war when the Pres
ident and the Spanish authorities are op-
posed to it? How can hostilities be be-
gun, when neither Mr.. Mckinley or Sa-
gasta desires it?'
In answering a question put TO him,
Col. McCook in his fervid desire to talk
for peace inadvertently made an ad-
mission that will be news to many OF
the American people. While he intended
that it should show that the people are
not in favor of war. he let an important
secret become public. The question was
as follows:
DO you not think that the people are
for war;
His reply was:
"Why. the President is receiving hun
dreds of letters every day from all parts
of the country asking him TO end this
suspense at once. Business men are writ
ing constantly TO inform the President
that the uncertainty is killing trade.
Col. McCook failed to add to this that
the most of the people are demand
ing that action be taken for the punish
ment of Spain for the Maine disaster,
nor did he state that 80 per cent OF
them demand that Cuba be recognized
as a republic at once.
Not only does the colonel represent
the bondholders, but ne is also the head
of the legation owned by men who pos
! sess large sugar and other interests IN
Cuba. These men want the war on the
island stopped at once. but without this
country being brought into trouble with
Spain.
They we're ardent supporters of the
autonomy proposition which Ceballos
suggested TO the President. and their
representative has been telling Mr.. Nc
Kinley that the mass of the people are
not in favor of war; that an adjustment
of the question by arbitration would
suit everybody. and meet with little or
no opposition.
OF course the President knows better
than this and has decided that he does
not want to submit the patience of the
people. who would be glad TO support
him in any vigorous action, TO a further
strain.
1t is said by those who claim 70 know
that the influence hitherto exercised
over the President by Col. McCOok has
been broken, and that that gentleman
| has been compelled to seek the society
| of Senator Hanna in order to find
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