The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-15
TUESDAY. MARCH Is, 1895.
Business Interests to the Rescu

In his capacity as a Spanish steam
ship corporations manager, conven-
iently and agreeabiy located in Wall
Street, New York, Senior Juan NJ Ce-
bailos, the last special Spanish envoy
to Mr.. Mckinley. has the advantage Of
being in close touch with his govern
ment on one side and our best bust
ness interests" on the other. The ma
ture Of his mission gives evidence that
he represents both. which indeed have
grown so closely together that it is
somewhat difficult TO distinguish be-
tween them.
Senior Ceballos who was granted an
audience on his arrival. is reported to
have made a proposition to the Presi-
dent which is instructive evidence that
the Spanish-Cuban bond conspirators
have not given up their fight for the
deal Small blame to them for that,
from a financial point Of view, Two or
three hundred million dollars of plum
der is not 10 be picked UP in the streets
not even in Wall and Lombard-every
day.
According to our information, the
presentation was a modest one. Senior
CebaIlos only wanted Mr.. Mckinley TO
induce the government Of the Cuban
Republic 10 surrender its independence,
and accept Spanish sovereignty again,
with the proViso that the sovereignty
should be only nominal That small
thing being conceded. Cuba would be
allowed TO form its own government.
be as independent as Canada, and be
free Of everything except liability TO
shoulder the war debt of Spain, now
amounting TO the UnimpoTtant sum Of,
approximately, five hundred and
fifty million dollars. Very little was
said on this score, however nor
was il emphasized that the least
shadow Of sovereignty would Of neces-
sity enable Spain to undertake a new
military occupation on the first con-
Venient occasion The plan further
provided that in case the Cubans
should prove obdurate and refuse this
kind and thoughtful solution, this coun-
try should step in and force them to.
by using our Army and Navy for that
friendly purpose.
Great as the merits Of the scheme
undoubtedly appear TO the bond sharks.
and much as Messrs. Hanna and Nc
Cook might like TO see il accepted and
adopted we are glad TO learn that Mr..
Mckinley had the sense to fight shy OF
it, and to tell Senior Ceballos that he
would better see the representatives, Of
the Cuban state. and find out what
they might think Of it. So the politico-
financial emissary packed himself off to
interview Senior Quesada. the Cuban
charge d'anaiIes in Washington That
gentleman promptly refused 70 see him,
or TO have any communication with
him, eXceit upon an assurance in adj
vance that he came duly accredited
and authorized to negotiate upon the
basis Of Independence.
So Senior Ceballos departed for New
York, ia the hope Of having better luck
with Gen. Estrada Palma. Yesterday
a member Of the Cuban Jdnta teIe-
graphed that the idea of the CebaIIos
proposition was ridiculous, and the
government and people Of Cuba would
never accept autonomy. no matter how
liberal in terms nor would they ever
consent TO pay Spain one cent of indem-
nifty. As a matter of fact, therefore
We are justified in considering the Incl
dent closed.
In our opinion, it would be well for
Ar. Mckinley 10 say something which
would forever put an end TO these des-
perate efforts Of the Spanish Cuban
bond conspirators 10 commit his Ad.
ministratiOn 10 their purposes What
ever chance or excuse he may once
have thought he had TO further them
he must know that there is neither
now. and that the plot has been ex.
ploded and wrecked as badly as the
Maine The only pity. in that connec.
ton, is that the people at the bottom OF
il could not be made TO change place.
with the poor American sailors at The
bottom of the harbor and in the GENE
terry al Havana. The bond sharks re.
sponsibie for the infamous conspiracy
against national honor, justice, civiliza.
ton aud humanity are also response
bic for the whole train Of disgraces and
horrors that has marked the bloody
and sickening course Of the Spanish
persecution In Cuba. Without theii
cold -blooded. avaricious interference
our Government long ago would have
recognized Cuban belligerency. the
Spauiards would have been compelled
TO prosecute civilized warfare, tho
country would have been free. and the