Evening star., 1898-04-09
JOHN j. McCOOK AND CUBA,
Does Not Hold Any Bond Nor Repre-
sent Those Who Do,

| Does Not Hold Any Bond Nor Repre-
sent Those Who Do.
Col. John J. McCook of New York, who
was referred to on the floor of the House
yesterday afternoon by Gen. Grosyenor of
| Ohio made the following statement last
| night: f =
! My attention has been called to the re-
marks of Gen. Grosyenor of Ohio In the
House yesterday. In which he described me
as a, the legal representative of the Cuban
| 1unta of New York, behind which stands
40o,0OO0O0 more or less, of the bonds that
| can be validated by the recognition of Gu
| ban independence by the United States,
ara hio,' they ., will g. be DESTROYED by policy
| which drives Spain out of Cuba in the
| interest of the American people He also
| referred to me as representing an in
| terest running up into the hundreds of mil
| lions of dollars. which would be benefited
! by the recognition Of the independence Of
| Cuba q
II at once called on Gen. Grosvenor, who
| said that his remarks We're based upon
statements which he has seen in the pub
| lie prints, and after full and free discus
sion with him he frankly disavowed any
purpose to do me injustice by making any
statements which were not entirely sub
stantial by the facts In the case.
He voluntarily offer ed to make the mat
ter right in the official record of the House
upon its assembling Monday morning
| My interest In the affairs of Cuba grows
| out of the fact that nearly a year ago my
| professional business required me to make
| a study of the affairs of the island This
revealed to me the awful oppression and
| Humanity of the Spanish government and
| 1iied me with admiration for the magniff-
| cent struggle the Cubans were making for
their liberty. I then determined to do
everything in my power to aid the insur-
gents to gain their independence Since
ira ,Lat GATE have been on all occasions will
| Ing to make known the fact which had
| come TO my knowledge. and have tried to
| the best of my ability to secure the co-opa-
ration of all influential people with whom
| came in contact in behalf of the insnr-
| gents and to aid their cause
| Il nave urged that in my judgment it
| was the duty Of this government to recoe-
ME the independence of the struggling
| accomplished without involving the govern.
| ment of the United States in war. with
| that object in view, several months ago T
suggested that at some stage of the pro-
and Cuba might be adjusted by Cuba nav
| ing an indemnity in the bonds of the Cn
pan republic, to Spain for the surrender
or her sovereignty So far as I know, this
suggestion has never taken any official
| Icrm or been acted upon In any way
| This suggestion is the only relation T
republic.
| Il do not now, nor have 7 ever hold
| owned, controlled represented profession
ally or otherwise 100000 600 of Cuban
| Dehus or any part of such bonds whatever
| l nave never even seen bond of the Gu
ban republic, let alone owning or holding
! such bonds.
with reference to the statement that T
am the legal representative of the Cuba n
| Junta of New York. I will say that l have
| never been retained by nor acted for the
| Cuban 1unta nor for the republic of Cuba
| although / should not have hesitated to
| accept a retainer and act professionally
for either of them. had they requested me
| So to do.
| Whatever have said or done with ref.
| erence to Cuban affairs has been on INV
| own individual responsibility and not hv
| authorization Of the Cuban junta or Cuban
republic. My interest came simply because
| OF an immense desire to see the success of
| a people whom I believed to be patriots
| fighting for their liberty.
| Until the time our gallant soldiers were
| blown up In the Maine I had hoped that
| the United States would not be in anv
| way involved in the contest between Spain
| and Cuba. But that incident aroused INV
| Indignation and will not be satisfied unti,
adequate rcparation has been made bv
Spain for that great crime.
| Il earnestly hope that some peaceful 90.
| luton of the trouble between Spain and
the United States may be worked out wit n
| honor to our flag, and should be glad to
dc anything in my power to accomplish
| that result. But 4 do not see how II "a n
be done until that great crime has been
| atOned fOr' >oNA