The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-12-14
SPANISH ASSURANCE.
Cuban Concessions offered For Sale
For Ninety-nine Years"
PRESIDENT BLOCKS THE SCHEME.

Tho Spaniartis Advertise For Bids For
Railroad Construction, the ''Govcrn-
ment to Aid the Concesslonnire by
Guarantees on the Treasury ofCuba."
Washington, Dec. 14.-From informa-
tion received here it appears that the
autunOnlist government of Cuba, es-
tablished about one year ago, Is making
strenuous effort to dispose of num-
Der Of very valuable franchises and
concessions before the advent of the
military government Of the United
States. These franchises and conces-
sions include the right to construct and
operate the Central railroad line of the
island, including II branches. and also
a network Of electric tramways for Ha-
vana.
The authorities first secured an
agreement with General Wade at Ha-
vana by which Spanish sovereignty
over the island was to cease and formal
occupation by the army of the United
States began on Jan. 1. 1899, Adver-
tisements were subsequently prepared
and inserted in Havana newspaper
asking for bids for these concessions
and franchises, the same to be opened
and presumably the award made on
Dec. 29. OF the present year. two days
before the government is formally turn
ed over to the United States.
The president, however, has seen 1T
to put quietus on the enterprise of the
Spanlards, and has issued Instructions
to General Wade. the chairman Of our
evacuation commission at Havana, Inn
mediately to inform the officials OF the
Spanish autonomist government that
the United States strongly disapproves
of the proposed disposition of the con-
cessions and franchises described, and
to ask that all negotiations for the
same be discontinued. 1t seems prob
able that this hint Will be sufficient,
but in case it is not General Wade'S
instructions are sufficient to meet any
contingency. He is ordered to put a
stop to these proceedings. without any
on his authority in the
premises. If necessary there is no
doubt that the principals in the scheme
would he promptly arrested and i'm
prisoncd.
According to the terms Of the ad-
in the case of the Central
railroads the concession is 10 run g9
years. and under 1t ''the government"
1t Is stipulated, will aid the concss-
sionaire by guaranteeing an annual In
terest OF Der cent on tho capital in
vested in the lines mentioned, besides
all advantages granted to railroad com
oanies under the laws of 1877 and 1880" |
rhe roads are also granted exemption
from import duties on material neces-
'ary for the construction and opera ton |
If the lines" and also, free cession |
If lands belonging to the state or to |
owns as may be necessary in the con |
.truction and operation of the lines. |
rhe maximum capital upon which the |
per cent interest Is TO be paid, and
which will serve as basis In letting |
he contract, is fixed at $4,000, 465 pesos"
Bidders are required to deposit be-
ore bidding the sum Of 200, 900 pesos In
gold In the Spanish bank in Cuba and |
urther sum OF 1.0O0,O 900 pesos In gold as |
guarantee.
"The treasury Of the Island Of Cuba"
Is declared. will pay in gold to the
every three months, the
mounts due on the sections or lines
II operation at the rate OF nteres.