The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-09
REPLY TO GRoSvENoR
col. JOHN j. sI'COOK DENIES THE
OHIOAN'S STATEMENTS.
Says He Is Neither Interested in Gu
ban Bonds Nor the JuntO's Lee
gal Representatives

w April o.--OOiVuSl JOliu
McCcok. Of New York, who was referred to
on the floor of the House yesterday after
noon by General Grosvenor of Ohio, made |
the following statement tonight:
MY attention has been called to the re- |
marks of General Grosvenor of Ohio. in the |
House yesterday, in which he described me |
as the legal representative of the Cuban |
Junto of New York. behind which stands |
$500, 100000. more or less, of the bonds that |
can be validated by the recognition of |
Cuban independence by the United States |
and they will 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 interest running up
into the hundreds of millions of dollars
which would be benefited by the recognition
of the independence of Cuba.
81 at once called on General Grosvenor,
who said that his remarks were based on
statements which he had seen in the public
prints and after a full and free discussion
with him he frankly disavowed any purpose
to do me injustice by making any state
ments which were not entirely substan-
tiated by the facts in the case. He volun-
tarily offered to make the matter right in
the official record of the House it's as
sembing 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
inhumanity Of the Spanish government and
filled me with admiration for the magnih-
cent struggle the Cubans were making for
their liberty. l then determined to do
everything in my power to aid the insur-
gents to gain their independence Since
that date / have been on all occasions will
ing to make known the facts which had
come to my knowledge and / have tried to
the best of my ability to secure the coop
GRAFTON of all influential people with whom
l came in contact in behalf of the insur-
gents and to aid their cause 1 have urged
that, in my judgment, it was the duty of
this government to recognize the independ-
ence of the struggling Cubans This. of
course, L hoped to see accomplished without
involving the government of the United
States in war. With that object in view
several months ago, L suggested that at
some stage of the proceedings the contro-
versy between Spain and Cuba might be adj
justed by Cuba paying an indemnity, in the
bonds of the Cuban republic, to Spain for
the surrender of her sovereignty. So far
as know this suggestion has never taken
any official form or been acted upon in any
way. This suggestion is the only relation L
have ever had to the bonds of the Cuban
republic. l do not now, nor have j ever
held, owned, controlled, represented pro-
fessionally or otherwise $500 900 900 of Cuban
bonds, or any part of such bonds whatever.
] have never even seen bond of the Cuban
republic, let alone owning or holding such
bonds.
with reference to the statement that l
am the legal representative of the Cuban
Junto of New York ] will say that ] have
never been retained by nor acted for the
Cuban Junto nor for the Republic of Cuba,
although | should not have heSitated to ac-
cept u retainer and act professionally for
either of them, had they requested me so
to do. Whatever | have said or done with
reference to Cuban affairs has been on my
own individual responsibility and not by au-
thoIization of the Cuban Junto or Cuban
republic. My interest came simply because
of an intense desire to see the success of
people whom / believed TO be patriots
fighting for their liberty.
Until the time our gallant sailors were
blown up in the Maine l had hoped that
involved in the contest between Spain and
Cuba. But that incident aroused my in
dignation and / will not be satisfied until
adequate reparation has been made by Spain
for that great crime. | earnestly hope that
some peaceful solution of the trouble be-
tween Spain and the United States may he
worked out with honor to our flag. and /
should be glad to do anything in my power
TO accomplish that result. But do not see
how it can be done until that great crime
has been atoned for