New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-04
CUSTOMS POLICY DECRIED.
PROTESTS AGAINST SENDING RECEIPTS
TO HAVANA.

GENERAL WOODS DEPARTURE FEARS OF RIOT
IF THE ORDER Is ENFORCED.
Santiago de Cuba. Jan IA mass meeting
was held to-day in the Plaza. and was attended
by 5000 persons Energetic speeches were made
against the policy OF centrazing money at Ha-
vana- Most Of the speakers declared that the
principle which It was now proposed TO put into
effect again had been fought against by them
for thirty years All were exceedingly eulogis-
tic in their references TO General Wood implor-
ing him to use his influence with the American
Government against a revival Of one Of the worst
features Of the Spanish regime.
General Wood expresses the opinion that all
customs receipts should be expended in the re-
spective provinces in which they are taken. with
the exception Of such a percentage for Havana
as may be necessary for governmental expendi
ture. geological surveys and other features OF
public business of that character
The local papers again renew their assertions
that II such an order ia enforced Il VIII mean Z
not civil war at least anarchy and riot In the
Province Of Santiago. calling for a large force
of United States troops
Major-Gcneral Leonard Wood. the American
military commander here, has cabled for per-
mission 10 go to Washington for two days. and
has received leave Of absence He will leave
Santiago on board the United States transport
Mississippi tomorrow --ning
The reason OF the ca ais departure Is un-
questionable the order received from Havana
70 transmit tn. entire customs receipts each
week TO that city. Compliance with these IN
structions would involve the abandonment OF
many necessary public improvements. would
throw 10000 Cubans out OF employment, ana
send them to the hills to become bandits and
would revive Spain's practice of monetary CEN
tralization, which caused most Of her troubles
in Cuba.
THE WAR DEPARTMENTS ATTITUDE.
Washington. Jan. 3.-The objection OF the citizens
OF Santiago to the execution OF the War Depart
ments programme requiring the customs receipts
al that port and all other Cuban ports TO be sent
10 Havana has brought the Department face TO
face with another Of the many problems con-
ner,ed with the administration OF affairs in Cuba
which require speedy settlement The order Is felt
10 be absolutely necessary. the interests OF good
government requiring that there should be only one
responsible head of the customs service in Cuba.
II was pointed out at the War Department to-day
that II Santiago at one end OF the island. and
Havana. near the other. were allowed 10 keep
their customs receipts such provinces as Puerto
Principe and Pnar del Rio would be without funds
TO make any public Improvements. The of1cials are
disposed to allow each Of the military commanders
Of the seven departments into which Cuba IL no"
divided 70 submit acquisitions basei on esuh%lates %
of cost Of such public works as sanitation. haroor
improvements and road and bridge building as II
which General Brooke is about 10 call 10 his as
sistance I'm the administration OF the Island VIII
proba blv examine into these necessities ana pro-
pose an allotment OF the total customs receipts ana
internal revenue taxation in proportion 10 me
needs Of the communities and In accordance WIFI
principles OF Justice and good government In al
likelihood these allo,ments VIII require the ap-
proval OF the Secretary OF War
In the case OF Santiago. II Is the belief OF one
Of the highest officials OF the War Department
that the transfer OF money from that poT, to T.,
Havana will be almost nominal. for the needs OF
the province at large probably Will absorb the
greater part OF the actual cash The whole subject
IL now Under consideration by Assistant Secretary
Meklejohn. and some action may De eApeo'eu Soo"