Evening star., 1899-04-11
Something Must BE Done.

1t is admitted. that something will have
to be done for the sugar planters, but the
Attorney General. advises against modify
ing the existing laws to the extent they
now ask. They complain that mere ex-
tension of the time in which the mortgages
can be collected. though 1t may be for fun
year. will be of3no real benefit to them In
order to reconstruct the sugar industry
they must know where they stand Their
representatives say tfrat if the plan which
the sugar planters have proposed is adopted
they will be able to secure loans for next
year, and in the fall begin planting cane on
many of the plantations which have not
been worked for the last four years This
season little cane has been planted, because
the planters could not get the means. 1t is
therefore probable that next years sugar
crop will not materially exceed the present
one.
If the planters can secure a definite
status they are all confident they can get
the means to plant next fall and that will
mean within fifteen or eighteen months
thereafter something like a normal sugar
years in which to pay their existing debts.
The interest charges on most of the sugar
plantation loans are heavy, ranging from 10
to 1S per cent. In the last few months
some of'the planters have succeeded in re-
funding their loans and securing American
capital at reduced interest but these cases
have been the exceptional ones. Most of
the mortgages are held by Spanish capital
lists.
Secretary Alger is also said to disapproye
of the plan which has been formulated by
Gen. Brooke's cabinet, and will be content
with temporary extensions of time until
this country Withdraws from Cuba Then
the people can handle their own affairs in
whatever way they see fit.
Paying the Indemnity.
Secretary Gage today discussed with the
President and cabinet the matter of paying
the $4,000, 900 indemnity to Spain The Sec
retary has decided to pay the money in
draft on the subtreasury at New York
The representative of Spain can then do as
he thinks best to get the money across to
his country. 1t is not known who will be
designated by Spain to receive the draft
Ambassador Cambon has not been author
lied to do SO. He will notify Spain that
this country is ready to pay the money and
will pay it to whoever is designated The
United States will not pay the exchange
on Europe. and the Spanish representative
can do this if he sees fit.
There is an abundance of gold here and
In New York to pay the draft every cent
in that metal and then not be missed owing
to the great accumulation of the yellow
metal. Spain can have the money in
eagles or double eagles In fact, the treas
ury will do anything to please Spain. She
can send to New York and take the money
away in a warship. but 1t is thought the
cheaper way will be for her to buy ex-
change on London or Paris.
Going to HoIyOke College.
President McKinley's visit to Mt. Holyoke
College, South Hadiey, Mass, which has
been arranged for at tthe White House, will
be one of the pleasantest trips he has taken
since he has BECOME President. His niece,
Miss Mckinley, is fene of the graduating
class at the college. and she secured the
promise from her uncle that he would at
tend the commencement exercises.
This college WIS founded by Mary Lyon
as a seminary. but was a few years ago
raised to the full collegiate rank It is To-
Gated at South Hadley. a beautiful farming
town on the eastern hank of the Connecti-
cut river, opposite Nprtha mpton Mass, and
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