The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1898-06-15

n pOlltlCS IIOm CnS carly hlISSI anu
las held nearly every position under the
natural government. He has been
revolutionist, pronuncia-
he has been exiled and con-
1emned to death as a conspirator, was a
refugee in 1856, and again in 1866, in
France and England.
By profession he is an engineer. he
commenced his political career as Gen.
eral of Militia. He is an impassioned
orator and unequalled debater. Now over
seventy years old, he is reputed to be the
hardest-worked man in Spain; to have
a hand of iron in a velvet glove and like
President Cleveland did, works all day at
his desk, disposed to do everything him.
self.
His cast of countenance and strag-
Cling beard gives him peculiarly He
braic appearance.
| had several conversations, at leisure,
with a German banker, who has lived
thirty years in Madrid, and has perfect
knowledge OF Spanish finances and poll
tics. He said the number of Republi'
cans and Liberals in favor of the autono-
my of Cuba is growing every day, but
many were apprehensive of autonomy,
regarding it as dangerous, because a
means of disintegration and preparation
to secession from Spain which has held
sway over Cuba since October, 1899.
The Spaniards, naturally nervous and
impatient, are excited and discouraged
in the highest degree at the prolongation
of the war, which they never cease to
execrate and regret.
As to the negotiations for a CONNER
cial treaty, it is my solid opinion that
Spain is playing with the United States.
They want to finish the war first, and
then accord, in a commercial treaty, just
what they please, resisting the claims OF
the United States, which, frankly, are ex-
horbitant, and, if accorded, would make
the island more American than Spanish.
The finances Of Spain are in deplor-
able condition. All recent negotiations
abroad, especially in London and Paris,
have failed, and also the effort to secure
loan from Rothschild, on the mercury
mines Of Almaden, came to nought
Spain has mortgaged everything
Their bonds known as Exterior" are
quoted at so to 60, although bearing in
terest at per cent should be, at least
1870.
The only hope of Spain being able tc
procure more money to pay the arrears
due to the troops and prosecute the wal
in Cubaand the Philippines, is by means
of popular loan, as was done in Novem
Der, 1896, when 600 millions OF peSeta
were subscribed on loan intended t.
secure 400 millions, hoated at SO with in
terest at 6 56-100 per cent. There ar
great many people in Spain possessing
enormous fortunes in bonds and mines
and most of this wealth has been inherit
ed, or made in Cuba or South America.
tn Spaniards are proud, chivalrlt
brave, patriotic race, with much haughti
ness. A popular loan might again b
foated if the patriotic blood of the na
ton were warmed by crisis in polite
or the conduct of Wa-
An evidence of their patriotism in I'll
, success Of the impartial newspape
which opened subscription for the r.
lief of the wounded and sick soldiers
Cuba, which now amounts to more tina
, one million pesetas ($3O0,00O).
In 1876 Spain's credit was SO bad tn
e it paid 32-1OO per cent. interest on 70
t eign loans, guaranteed by receipts fro
customs and the faith of the nation.
t Now Spain has borrowed money o
# and hypothecated as the guarantee, Il
prospective revenues to be derived fro
|, customs at home, in Cuba and Il
S Philippines; revenues from tobac
|, monopoly; the tax on the sale of gu
S, powder, dynamite and other explosive
$ and the monopoly Of the importation, e
: portation, refining and sale of petroleu
Spain has placed war tax, viii
h varies from 10 to 20 per cent. on the f'
d lowing: Street railways, carriages a
l. vehicles of all kinds; railroad and stea
ic boat tickets; merchandise in inland tra
it sit; and 10 per cent additional tax on
re assessed taxes, excepting governmt
bonds and public debt. A new tax
to been imposed on the expectation of le
Te and other minerals advances on pr,
" pective sales of revenue stamps, and
m ditional tax on provisions (octr
ne brought into cities and towns.
en- In addition to these the sale has bC
n decreed by the Cortes of various natio
re properties and the timber of public Ian
r. One of the governmental incomes
of the amount paid in each case for sub
gs tutes by the conscripted. This none.
~, paid to the government, and varies tr
is 1900 to 1000 pesetas, equalling $500
mt $400 dollars for each substitute provlc
Ter Sixty thousand substitutes have b