The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1899-01-11
PLAN TO SETTLE THE
FINANCIAL QUESTION OF CUBA.
Prominent Cuban La rer Now in wash
ington for That Purpose-Building
OF Panama Canal Urged.

NEW York. Jan. lO.-A didspatch to
the Press from Washington says: DR..
Jose A. Friar, chairman OF the financial
committee OF the Cuban assembly and
one Of the leading lawyers in the island
has arrived in Washington, and will pre-
sent TO the department OF state a plan for
the the settlement OF the financial system
Of Cuba. This plan includes a method
OF appropriating certain revenues toward
rnv payment Of the Cuban soldiers when
they are disbanded and other financial
measures for the relief of the poor.
Or. FriOr is leading candidate for the
appointment OF chief Justice. although
it is asserted his mission in Washington
at this time is not to further his can
didacy for that office, but is solely for
the purpose OF presenting his financial
plans
I'm addition TO the financial scheme
which we have proposed" said DR.. Frlar,
"Dr. Caesote. president OF the Cuban as
sembly. has. with others, worked out an
admirable plan for the government OF
the island, drawn from the knowledge OF
existing laws and practices OF the courts
and various local officers and which will
be submitted to the United States.
Already General Brooke has surround.
ed himself with some OF the ablest Gu
ban leaders as advisors. They realize
that for the present American interven-
tion Is necessary, The leaders have been
reoonciled to It and the great mass OF the
people are steadily coming to take this
view of the matter REGARD 1t as neces-
sary, however that Cubans should be
made the police officers in the large
cities for the reason that they under
stand the people. know who the malefac-
| tors are, are better able to apprehend
them and prevent trouble than the Amer
leans. The Spaniards II retained, are
sure to encourage dlssension. 1t has al
ways been their policy to accept bribes
and they will continue to do so as long
as they are maintained In official posi-
tons and trouble is sure to result from
It under an equitable government.
General Gomez has been grossly mis-.
representa- In great many respects.
have reason to know that he is not
antl-Amerlcan as has been charged
against him. The statements that he
has opposed American Intervention.
know to be absolutely and maliclously
false, General Gomez is true patriot
and has made as many sacrifices as any
man for the cause of independence.
Patriot as he Is, he realized that Ameri-
can Intervention at this time is necessary
he not only tolerated 1t without objection
but is in favor Of It.
General Gomez Is remaining with his
army near Narciso because he believes
1t is his duty to do So and permit Others
to take part In the affairs Of the new
government, Is apt to be forgotten ant
It needs General Gomez. There are $500
men in the Cuban army. They are anx.
ious to return to their deserted homes
and build them up and General Gomez
is deslrious to have them do so, but II
Is necessary that they should receive
some compensation"
General Abbott says the new plans
for completion of the Panama canal ar,
perfectly feasible, and that the cana
can be completed in one half the tim.
and at much less cost than II win taxi
to dig the Nicaragua canal.