The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-01-07
is Misunderstood
An Explanation from Washington OF
the Recent Order Regarding
Cuban Revenues.

Washington, Jan. Safeguarding the
sensational reports from Santiago that
the whole province had been infiamed
by the recent order of the war depart
ment. concentrating all customs
money in Havana" thus threatening
stoppage of all public improvements
and threatening 10 throw thousands OF
Cubans out of employment. II may be
stated authoritatively that any excite
ment existing in Santiago is due 10
misapprehension of the war depart
ment's order II seems 10 have been
taken for granted that the order con-
templates sending all currency collect
ed for custom dues TO Havana. and
thus cutting of the governor OF Santa
go province from the employment OF
local labor The fact is that the officers
in charge of customs at the various
ports OF entry are merely ordered 10
make weekly reports 10 the collector
OF customs OF the island at the chief
port, OF all transactions al the SUPPORTS
over which he may have jurisdiction,
with copies OF entries OF merchandise
duly certified"
The customs from all the ports in the
island are 10 be used for the betterment
OF the conditions OF the Cubans, not
only in Havana and Santiago. but else
where. Expenditures will be divided rs
equitably rs possible so as TO relieve
distress existing in various quarters
and 10 make this relief correspond as
"A.
II would be just as equitable. IL is ar
gued. for the port Of New York TO retain
all the customs funds collected there
for expenditure in the island OF Man
haitian ms IL would be for Havana or
Santiago or any other town in Cuba 10
gobble all OF the customs receipts for
expenditure within its own borders.
So far from the war department con-
templnting any curtailment of the re-
lief work in Cuba. an order already has
been issued TO the governor general di-
recting him 10 furnish work 10 every
able bodied Cuban applying for il at
a fair rate OF weekly wages, measured
by Cuban standards. The order sug-
gests that the best lines Of employment
are in sanitary work. road improvement
and municipal work Of various sorts.
1t is intended TO offer a chance for re-
munerative work to all who are able to
take advantage OF il, and 10 cut off the
gratuitous distribution OF rations
among those natives able 10 work for
what they eat. The employment con-
templated will not be offered. however.
TO any resident OF the island who re-
tsins his allegiance to Spain.
Santiago de Cuba. Jan. 5.-Meetings
were held at all the political clubs nj
night and even the most conservative
people. those favoring the annexation
of Cuba TO the United States. wire as.
founded at the orders from Havana for
the GENERALIZATION OF the customs money
+, there. The past as hours have COM
( pletely altered the situation OF affairs
here. The province had gradually set
I tied down and was contented with the
order Of things prevailing. recognizing
( the benefits conferred. Now there is a
complete change, and there is no exag.
7 geration in say ing that the situation Is
4 critical. that a spark would set up .
blaze which would plunge the province
! unto nsurrection. 1t is generally nd
/ united that n / 900 men were suddenly
/ discharged from the public works such
action would probably cause a revolt
which il would be hard TO quell