Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-22
CONSIDERING CUBA
Rumored Plans to Be Followed in
the Immediate Future.
TIE OATH OF REMUNERATION
Suggested Scheme for Manage
ment of the Islands Business.
AN PECTED RU S Il

The conferences between the Cuban rep
resentatives in this country and the off,
Gals of the United States government,
which have been in progress for the past
few days. are having valuable effect. it is
said, upon clearing away the clouds of I'M
certainty which have been hanging over
the Cuban problem. The meetings have re-
suited In acuuainting both sides with the
views of the other, and paving the way to
mutual Cancellation of differences.
There is understood to be very strong
sentiment entertained by the United States
authorities in favor Of making the renun-
citation of allegiance to Spain a first requi-
site to citizenship in Cuba. so far having
any voice or share either in the temporary
administration Of the islands affairs which
Will follow the evacuation by the Spanish
troops or the government which will fol-
low.
Corruption Too Common.
The long period of corruption. which has
been suffered in Cuba and which has in
cluded all the officials of Spain, it is de-
clared, both military and civil has made
dishonest administration of affairs there
an approved policy. 1t is notorious that
Weyier in his career as captain general de-
verified immense sums to his private uses,
estimated at over a million dollars.
1t is also well known that the officials
who had charge of the collections of GUS
toms and internal taxes waxed rich from
the money they stole, making little or no
efforts to conceal their populations. Con-
tinuing the administration of Cuban af-
fairs in such hands is, of course, out of the
question. So far as the custom houses are
concerned, there is little doubt felt that
they will be very largely placed in charge
Of Americans.
The internal affairs under the expected
protectorate will. it is believed be managed
by the Cubans themselves 80 far as the
municipal affairs of towns and cities are
concerned.
One program said to be under serious
consideration in the latter connection en-
braces the calling of assemblies of citizens
after the oath of remuneration of allegiance
to Spain is taken in the various towns and
cities at which the mayors and councils
will be selected. the general direction of the
government of the island being placed In
the hands of a central power representing
the United States either in the person of a
governor or in the shape of commission.
An Interesting Assertion.
That capital is preparing to enter Cuba
as soon as the island is in any degree paci-
fled Is already a well-esta blshed fact 1t
was positively stated today that Mr. Henry
b. Plant, owner of the Plant system of
railroads, had been quietly buying I'D all
the old locomotives obtainable in this coun-
Try from Pennsylvania to Florida and that
his agents had also made purchases of i'm
mense quantities of old railroad iron, which
supplies were now being shipped to Tampa
ana nearby points, so as to be transferred
10 CUBA at once so soon as peace was es-
tabEshed sufficiently to permit of railroad
building there. When the person VINO made
TINS declaration was asked how the right
of way for railroads could be secured in
Cuba, the reply was, with Significant EN-
phasis:
''Oh, therell be no trouble about that