The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-10-21
Commissioners In Cuba
Snubbed BY BlancO.
ALL PROTESTS IGNORED
TROPHIES OF WAR RETAINED
BY SPANIARDS.
No Haste Shown Ir Preparing For
the Evacuation of the Island
Banco EspanoI Will Have Reason
to Welcome the Termination of
Spanish Sovereignty.

New York, Oct. 2O.-A dispatch to the
Herald from Havana says: Through
no weakness or mistake of its own the
American commission occupies posi-
/ ton humilating in the extreme. 1t has
made several demands upon the Span
/ ish authorities only to have them
| ignored and to see affairs shape them
selves as they would We're Spain die
tating terms of peace instead of accept
ing Them To this matter emphasis
was given on Monday, when in the
face of repeated protests made by
General Wade and his associates, Cen
eral Blanco proceeded with an auction
sale of articles which should be con-
sidered trophies of war-braSS and
bronze cannon. Captain Brooks also
learned that the military machine
shop was being partially dismantled-
The costliest shafting and the latest
pattern of lathes were being packed
for shipment to Spain.
Another. matter that has been an
noying to the commission is the calm
manner in which the protest against
the .dismounting of guns taken from
the Alfonso XIII was ignoEsd. Cen
eral Wade announced to General
Blanco that though the guns originally
belonged to the cruiser Alfonso XIII,
fenses Of Havana they became part of
these defenses and must accordingly be
turned over to the United States.
The Spanish commission communi-
Gated with Madrid and received a reply
that this was a matter for discussion
by the Paris commission. and that in
no manner concerned the commission
appointed TO arrange the evacuation of
Cuba. Since then the work of replac-
ing the cannon on the Alfonso XIII has
proceeded without interruption, though
frequent protests have been made by
General Wade, Admiral Sampson and
General Butler. One of the commits
sioners said:
Unless we have authority and power
to back up our demand, we are of no
more use in Havana than three school
boys would be. We tell the Spaniards
what should be done and they proceed
as they please.
when we first arrived in Havana,
we announced that the island must be
evacuated by December. The Spaniards
replied that they would have to be
allowed until April to get out. Neither
side has yet receded, though last week
it did appear that an agreement might
be reached. They will hold on to the
customs receipts as long as possible.
When they lose them they will move.
If I had my way | would bring down
warships and take possession of the
custom house and other branches of
the government"
One institution which above all
others, will welcome the relinquish-
ment of Spanish sovereignty over Cuba
IS the Banco Espanol. Because OF its
semi official connection with the gov
ernment the BancO ESpanOl has been
mulcted of millions of dollars. No
longer ago than last Thursday the gov
ernment called for 5000 coo in gold. The
bank protested and did not give the
cash until it received a notice that
force would be used if necessary. An
other 100000 was advanced today, but
in this case the city revenues were
pledged as security.
All arrangements have been made for
reorganization as soon as the Ameri-
can flag floats over the city. Shares
have already been subscribed to the
amount of $4,000, 0O0 and $1,000, 900 more
will probably be issued, making a total
capital of 1000. 900 on the old basis.
While official relations with Madrid win
be severed absolutely, the bank will
represent principally all the Spanish
interests, public and individual re-
naming in the island.
1t is believed Cuban silver coin will
soon circulate at a ratio with gold of
2 to 1. Cuban scrip, which was issued
to the amount of $4,000, 600. is now
pFacIcaiiy worthless, anu InlS repre-
sents the only profit which the Banco
Espanol derived from its connection
with the government. When this scrip
was issued, silver to the amount of
$4,000, 600 vas deposited as a guarantee
fund. Later S7.000.O0O of the paper was
withdrawn from circulation, and the
silver guarantee taken up by Spain
This left $4,000 600 of paper absolutely
without intrinsic value, which was, for
time fOrpa1 unOu tha naOull c
soon as Spain WithdT1ws the Banco
Espanol will issue limited amount of
paper, with an equal aflount of gold
on deposit as a guarant Fe.