The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-12-09
INSULT UPON INJURY
Some Wag Plays a Trick on a
Spanish Statue.
4FlNANCIERING IN HAVANA
Personal Encounters Between
Cubans and Spaniards.

Havana, Dec. :. via Key West, Fla,
Dec. S-The statue Of Isabel Ia Catalica,
which stands in the middle Of Central park
in this city. was found this morning hold
ing a valise in one hand and steamer rug
in the other. An immense placard was
slung acros the back Of the statue with
the words bon voyage inscribed on IL
Serious problems confront the last days
of Spain's sovereignty in Cuba one OF
the most delicote and most dicult OF soIu-
ton is the question of return bonds given
bv civil officils and employees upon ceas-
ing to hold office Many of these are cash
bonds furnished years ago, the refundins
of which now becomes imperative All
such moneys having been appropriated
and spent the government is unable 10
meet these obligations or 10 fulfill the
guarantees.
The settlement of the arrears OF pay Que
the modified and all the irregular troops
offered a brilliant opportunity for master
Iy financiering on the part OF the military
intendente with money TO hand for a full
settlement of al pay due TO the troops,
the auartermaster general devised an IN
senious plan. Paying the men on IN notes
pavabIe in Madrid, he offered, through
trusted agents, TO discount such notes at
% to 30 per cent for cash As practically
every one of the irregular and mooiiized
troops will remain on the island. the men
eagerly embraced this opportunity 10 have
their notes cashed. and a handsome profit
therefore accrued 10 the astute originator
of the scheme.
The first mortgages held by the Spanish
bank. held on municipal property here,
amount TO 100000. Propositions for the
acquisition of these mortgages have been
made by London, New York and Berlin
bankers Although the mortgaged prop
erty represents a most solid investment.
the Spanish bank appears ready 10 trans
fer the title TO the foreign corporations,
through a lack of confidence in the sta
bility Of the future government.
Several disturbances occurred here yes
terday afternoon between a number of
Spaniards and Cubans, but luckily there
was no serious consequence. At O'Clock
in the afternoon of the day mentioned,
several Cuban officers who were walking
down Obispo street asked each other. in
tones rather louder than necessary. when
the Spaniards were finally to leave Cuba,
and commented on what they termed the
latter's want of shame in parading the
streets attired IN their uniforms. A couple
of Spanish officers who CHANGED 10 pass
overheard the conversation of the Cubans,
and one of the Spaniards approached and
slapped the face of a member Of the Cuban
party. Blows were exchanged. but the
fighters were soon arrested and taken 20
the military governors palace: where they
were subsequently discharged.
A repetition of this incident occurred in
the evening. when a Spanish officer in
Central park tore a panama off a Cuban :
head and cut it into pieces with his sword.
The offender was arrested and General
Arolas. fearing further trouble. distributed
a force of the soldiers In the park end its
vicinity. No other disturbances occurred.
however.