The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-07
CUBAN QUESTION
VIEWED IN PARIS.
What an Eminent Financier has to
Say on the Subject,
SPAIN RICHER THAN BELIEVED.
Foreign Opinion is That United states
Has Not the Strong Side Of the
LsS-No European Inter.
vcntion Likely.
SPAIN RICHER THAN BELIEVED.

The following interesting letter has been
received In Richmond from Virginia
gentleman who is now travelling in Eu-
rope. II is dated Paris. March 18th. and
was addressed to a gentleman OF Rich
mond.
Omlttlng matters purely personal and
such names as II would be improper 10
disclose he sayE:
MY friend is much interested In the
cuban Question. We have had converse
lions Of hours duration. Yesterday morn-
ing we called by appointment IN see -
q n miuent fin ncier). IL was mo a. a.
bic. and wo talked three quar- .ers OF on
hour. He asked several questions, and,
as I expected found him fully posted on
the burning question Of the day--Cuoa.
His opinions you may give without dis
closing his name. as the conversation was
strictly confidential.
THE French bankers have very large
interests in Spain-its railroads. otc.-but
comparatively few Of the bonds. The
French people are very large holders OF
Exterieur per cent. Spanish bonds.
Spain cannot make a loan In Europe,
but can raise 5000 600. 900 at home. Bust
ness has been rather good In Spain lately
and my authority tells me the world does
not know OF her resources. II is true
she is fearfully taxed II IL 10 the in
terest OF the French bankers 10 keep the
peace, and in reply to my question that
the great bankers should use their in
nuence 20 induce the Spanish govern
ment to let 90 tho island. he replied hat
the government perhaps would only be
too glad but that IL would mean the fan
Of the dynasty.
He asked me what. in point Of fact,
did the American people want. ] replied
that we wanted peace on the island so
that we might avail ourselves Of our
present splendid opportunities for doing
good business. ] told him also that 1t was
my belief that there could be no peace
on the island until the Spanish had with
drawn.
Yes he replied. there is the diff
Guilty. Spanish people think they are all
in the right and tho United States are al
in the wrong. and though the government
knows the island Is lost. they dared not
move. and we bankers do not see how
we can do anything in the matter
ITO which ] replied that the Spanish
populace had never known the truth IN
the matter. and that / looked 10 him TO
correct and make public opinion. / also
EXPLAINED TO him how autonomy was alb
solutely dead.
ION the general points Of tho situa-
ton we agree We spoke OF the possl-
biitles OF France or England or both
Jointly arb,trating the Cuban question.
But he objected Spain cannot ask
for arbitration. for she Is the affronted
party. Nor does the United States seem
inclined to ask for e. for what will you
arbitrate? And would Spain accept the
proposal? Again, as a matter Of inter-
national right. the United States does not
stand on very sound ground. Spain has
a right 10 do what she thinks NJ with her
own. And that is the situation
The American people will rot rest un-
al there is peace. There Is little chance
Of peace on the island. Fortunately. both
governments want peace. How shall We
solve tho problem? As yet no ono has
found a solution. II no solution Is found
there will be war
"As yet Spain refuses all talk Of the SAFE
Of the Island, which IS the practical bust
nesslike way out Of the trouble.
They say to-day the chances OF war
are much less. | repeat the difficulties OF
the situation arc Just what they have
been for weeks. and / had It yesterday
from the fnancier that nothing as yet
had been done 20 find a way out OF the
woods.
THE fact that Congress conducted It.
self with propriety. that tho President
wrote 2 moderate message, that large
short interest was disappointed at the
ouiet Of Congress. etc. there was a sta m
pede to cover but the facts do not JUS fy.
I'm my opinion the rush up. In spite OF
our 40s 100000 surplus exports over i'm
ports for eight months. nv prediction
last seutember that we would beat the
world 81 nm nm POT month has proven
true for eight month. Settle the Cuban
question and We VII do business. but
am sorry to see 80 much rate-cuting
ITO conclude. still think we will have
10 interfere in spite OF the objections OF
the world England and France will not
Interfere. About Germany he Is not 50
sure. The Emperor. he says, is very
uncertain quantity"