The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-09

A fear was expressed among the members
that intervention by the United States
might bind the United States for the $780,
O0O,oOO of Spanish Cuban bonds issued
against the revenues of the island Mr..
Tawney, of Minnesota, stated before the
committee that some writer's on interna-
tional law maintained that in case of the
requirement of territory by conquest all the
local obligations of that particular territory
are assumed and it was argued that If the
United States intervened with the ultimate
intention of turning over the island to the
Cubans, the United States would practically
have acquired the island by conquest and
then conferred it a gift on the Cubans.
In this view of the case the United States
might be held liable for the bonds. The
sentiment of the committee is against the
United States assuming any such possible
liability. Others, like Mr.. Hopkins, of Illi-
nos. did not think Mr.. Tawney's contention
tenable. He argues that the bonds Wee is
sued by Spain and the revenues of Cuba
pledged as security If Spain loses Cuba as
q result of war the security of the bond
holder is simply gone, Spain's liability re-
naming. But the committee lacked light on
the subject.
The international authorities will be
iuOkcu up Dy members Ol the
and an attempt will be made to ascertain
exactly in what way the bonds are lien
on the Cuban revenues. Tomorrow the
committee will meet again and Senator
Davis of Minnesota, who is considered one
of the authorities on international law in
this country, will be asked to appear before
them. Mr.. Bromwell, of Ohio, says he is
| investigating the question. "lf Intervention
without recognition makes us in any way
responsible for those bonds,' said he to-
day, II am opposed to it. OF course the,
recognition of independence would validate
the bonds issued by the Cuban Junto but
my understanding is that only about 100000
of these bonds have been actually sold"
Deputy Treasurer Benjamin Guerra, of
the Cuban republic, who was before the
Senate committee on foreign relations to-
day, said that only about 100000 Of Cuban
bonds had been sold, and that the bonds
were not on the market at all for general
sale. Those sold had ben disposed of for
about an average of 40 cents the dollar.
Mr. Guerra said that the expenses of the
Cuban army We're very slight, but that
what expenses there were were paid by pri-
vate subscriptions and by the returns from
the taxation of the property in the portion
of the island controlled by the insurgents.
wv lSSo lltcI lie Sdlu, DSeH .Ol-
lected by taxation. The insurgent army
generally secured it's supplies from the
country, and all the soldiers, both officers
and men. were serving without compensa-
ticn. Mr.. Guerra was asked about the
Spanish-Cuban bonds issued against the
revenues of the island. He replied that he
did not know their amount, which report
placed at $400, $1,000, but that they were the
accumulation of years of deficits. Many of
them had, he said, been issued to pay the
cost of putting down the rebellion in Cuba.
Among the senator's seen to-day who ex-
pressed themselves in opposition to any
modification of the resolution to be reported
by the committee on foreign relations were
Messrs. Thurston, Pettigrew, Allen and
Mason I'VE cannot" said Senator Mason,
agree to any change that would rob the
present Cuban government of the victory
which it has SO nearly won.'
I'm my opinion, set of men who have
maintained themselves as the Cuban insur-
gents have, in opposition to the entire Span
ish. arms, deserve our fullest Endorsement
Senator Allen said, adding that he would
oppose any effort to curtail their rights.
Senator Thurston said: 'If we should in
tervene without recognizing the present
government of Cuba we should place the
to all other powers and to the citizens of
all other countries for any damage done
them in case of war; This is my interpreta-
tion Of the international law bearing upon
the case. and do not believe it can be sue
cessfully controverted. Furthermore I
think we would in that event be held liable
for the payment of interest on the Spanish
bonds, which is secured by the Cuban rev.
erues But a greater weight with me than
all these considerations is the conviction
that if we interfere in the conflict between
Spain and the Cubans without recognizing
a present government in the island we shall
witness the spectacle of the Cubans being
compelled to make terms with the bond
holders for their recognition after all the
sacrifice they shall have made, and we
shall have made for them. This is the thing
that is most repulsive to me In the PROPOSE
tion TO deny the present Cuban government
it's just dues. / do not want to see the
Cubans compelled to enter into a dicker to
secure their rights after the Spaniards shall
have been driven out
Senator Lodge of the committee on for
eign relations, said to-day that he thought
the committee would not report before
Tuesday. He also expressed the opinion
that the Senate would dispose of the reso-
luton reported at one sitting.
Tonight the conservative senators who
are opposing, any recognition of the present
Cuban government claim that majority of
the committee on foreign relations will now
support this position, contenting themselves
with a general declaration for the freedom
and independence of the island, coupled with
proposition for Intervention in the present
war between Spain and Cuba. They count
on getting the votes of six of the eleven
members Of the committee and say this
number may still be increased.
TESTIMONY OF CUBANs.
Hearing Before the House Committee
Foreign Affairs.