Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1898-12-31
CLAIMS FOR DAMAGE.
United States Liable for Losses Sus-
tanned by Its Citizens in Cuba.
ORDER TO Be UPHELD IN HAVANA.

January I Expected to he . Trying Day fer
the Authorities In the Cuban city
Tho Cuban Troops to
he Paid.
Washington, Dec. 29.-Immediately
upon the ratification OF the peace
treaty by the senate. the president
will recommend TO congress the enact
ment of legislation looking TO the set
Element OF the claims of American citi-
zens for damages sustained In Cuba,
Porto Rico and other Spanish posses
sions which formed the seat Of war.
These claims, TO the amount Of S26, 000,-
900 on this score, have already been
lodged with the state department 1t
Is true that an unknown proportion
of these are claims based upon depre-
dations committed by Cuban insur-
gents, for which 1t Is questionable
whether the Spanish government could
be held responsible. On the other
hand, IL Is believed that there are
many claims for large amounts that
have not been presented, owing to the
inability OF the claimants to secure
the necessary corroborativc evi.
dence during the Spanish occupa-
ton Of the evacuated territories or
because OF the belief that 1t would DO
fruitless to present any claim SO long
as Spanish sovereignty was main
tanned. Now, however, by an article
in the treaty of Paris, the United
States has assumed liability for all
claims preferred by its citizens on nc.
count Of depredations, or, in fact, on
any proper score. In turn, the Span
ish assumed liability for any claim
that might have been made on account
OF Spanish citizens or the Spanish gov
eminent itself against the United
States What such claims would have
amounted to cannot be estimated.
None were fled with the United States
government prior to the declaration
Of war. But it is recalled that there
was much criticism on the part
of high Spanish officials of the
alleged failure Of tho United
States to observe the require
ments OF the neutrality laws, and
more than one statement was
made to the effect that the Spanish
government intended TO present q
claim for round number OF millions
On that score. So far as Is known. the
treaty does not specifically pro-
vide for the appointment OF q
commission to adjust these claims
Of United States citizens, but, rs
that Is the usual method Of adjudi.
cation, It is presumed that q commits
sion will be created by authority Of an
act OF congress.
ORDER TO DE MAINTAINED.
Havana, Dec. 20.-It Is expected that
the Cubans will make January l day
of great celebration and no attempt
will be made to check them unless
they grow riotous. But enough troops
will be in the city, ostensibly on dis
play, to take control and clear the
streets. On the further recommended
ton Of McCullagh oil the cafes and
other places where liquor Is sold will
be closed all day on January l. All
citizens will be subject to search, and
those found with arms upon them will
be imprisoned and the arms confis.
Gated. The swearing in Of men who
will form the police force continues,
about 400 having already sworn
allegiance to the United Statea
The force will be ready for COM
plete service about January Is. The
Cubans still object to the enlistment
OF Spanish soldiers In this force, but
McCullagh and Col. Moulton have re-
solved to ask no questions concerning
mans former allegiance. II his rec
ord is clean aud he comes up to the
mental and physical requirements he
will be given the same show. be he
Spaniard or Cuban. The police will
carry clubs OF the same pattern as that
used by New York policemen and the
force will be organized on the same
general plan as that OF the American
city.
TO PAY THE CUBAN TROOPS.
Washington, Dec. 29.-Negotiations
are progressing in the matter OF the
payment Of Cuban troops, SO that on
laying down their arms they may be
enabled to enter upon civil pursuits
and earn their living. Probably no
further appropriation by congress will
be necessary to enable the president to
carry out the plan II 1t should be de-
cided, as it probably will be, to adj
vance money, charging 1t against the
revenues OF Cuba, to pay the Cubans
part of the money due them for their
service in the Cuban army. This
debt is not an obligation resting
upon the United States, but Is one for
which the Cuban government will be
obligated on its establishment on an
independent basis. Pending the estab-
lishment OF q permanent government
there Is no authority responsible for
the payment of these soldiers, and un-
less this government advances the
money Us loan they will have to go
for an indefinite period without pay
for services already rendered in the
war for independence. The special
deficiency appropriation bill carries an
item OF 5000, 900 rs an emergency
fund, which the government may use