The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-08-05
SANT|AG0'S FEARS.
Merchants in Terror Of Gu
ban Rule = Trade
and Prices.

Correspondence of The Associated Press
SANTIAGO July 81 1S9S.-There is a
prevailing fear among merchants and
others doing business in Santiago that the
protection of the United States over San
tiago de Cuba will not last and that the
Cubans will come in in our stead. No
one expects the Cubans to substitute a
better and more secure government than
the Spaniards The fairness and firmness
of General McGibbon during the few days
he has been in charge of the city have
raised hopes for lasting municipal con-
troll that will permit and foster the
growth of business and prosperity Seven
of the most prominent merchants of the
city are to wait upon General McGibbon
today and learn from him. if possible. if
they can with confidence in the continua-
ton of American rule, place orders for
the replenishing of their stock, the
amounts of which will run up into mill
lions of dollars. 1t is estimated that un-
less these men are assured of protection
they will take no steps in this direction.
The Santiago storekeepers are reaping
a good harvest from our soldiers and offi-
GERS, The men are supplying the needs
and requirements of many weeks and it
is surprising to see how many of our Off
GERS and not few of our common soldiers
are familiar with the Spanish tongue. A
good interpreter is always in demand
however, and the heart of the distressed
storekeeper warns up to the man who
will straighten out his perplexities with
q customer who shouts in English. evil
IDENTIFY believing the loudness of his words
will carry understanding to the men ad-
dressed.
And how the shopkeepers do rob the
Americans on exchange. An American
dollar is worth two Spanish dollars and
in the beginning our men did not know
this and American gold was given for
Spanish silver values Our paper money
is already circulating in the town. 1t is
much sought after They also believe we
Americans are honest A certain tailor
discovered that he was giving gold values
for paper money calling for redemption in
silver. He gathered up nearly 5000 worth
of silver certificates. hurried to a banker
and his relief was great beyond words
when he learned they were worth as
much as gold and his confidence and faith
in America cannot be equalled in San
tiago.
The city pawnshops are overstocked and
many a souvenir of the Cuban campaign
that goes back to the United States has
come from these place. Old Spanish sill
yer and jewelry, watches and even mag
nifieent carved leather chairs, made cen
turies ago in old Spain and worked by
deft Spanish fingers will remind certain
Americans of Santiago de Cuba and of
the days they possessed it. But of the
many souvenirs that will be carried away
4 a good machete, bought from the side of
Spanish officer, is the most popular
And they must be old and worn new ones
with the makers label still stuck to the
blade are of no value Many of the
souvenirs now acquired with so much
trouble will never reach the United States.
The owners have still many weary
marches before them. maybe. and what is
bought and we'll paid for today will per-
haps be later thrown gladly away
There has been but one retaurant in
town where the American officers have
been able to find food. 1t is on the main
plaza, in front of the American flag on
the Palace, and it's bill of fare has. up to
today been limited to fish, meat, canned
green peas and coffee. meal costs two
dollars in gold and the restaurant is coin
ing money. Drinkable have always been
plentiful, however, and by simply stating
that he had no other wine in the house,
champagne was sold in large quantities
one evening, for the men who have just
conquered town are free and willing
spenders. This restaurant is the principal
rendezvous for the foreigners of the city
and in default Of any hotel in operation,
its prestige will continue The Americans
here are in the strange position of con-
querors of a foreign city.
The liberality of their methods of local
restriction and proper safeguards for the
preservation of order are noticeable, and
there are up,to this writing no records of |
an abuse Of the power they have ac-
quired and the people of Santiago are well
pleased with us in this respect and draw
comparisons unfavorable to the Cubans if |
these people had been in our position since
July II,