The times., 1899-04-03
Searching Gut Good Things for
Syndicates.
His RHmered Collision With the
Havana Military Government.
The secrctar,'- Vast Eusincss Inter
cstS Presently May Prompt Him
40 Quit the Cabinet.

nine. Secretary Of Finance, viii leave for
Washington Tuesday next TO lay before
President Mckinley protest against the
setting aside by Secretary Algor Of Gen
eral Brooke's promised decree relative 10
land mortgages held by Spanish capitalists
and now maturing. The action of Secrc-
Iary Alger. it is said. practically contiscatcs
millions OF dollars worth Of estates the
owners OF which are bankrupt because of
the war, but who could were time given
them through second mortgages or part
nership with Americans. raise money with
which to resume business and pay oil their
indebtedness.
The discussion awakened by this dis
patch brought out the opinion that the
promise made by General Brooke to pro-
mulgate such = decree. giving mortgage
debtors from one TO three years grace,
was used by wealthy friends of Secretary
Alger TO dcpreciate the value of Cuban
mortgages so that they could purchase
Them at big discount and exercise their
influence 10 have the decree set aside.
which would enable them TO purchase their
mortgages and get estates, the best in the
Deep Personal Interest.
When Secretary Alger reached Havana
he got from General Brooke copy of his
proposed decree and took it with him TO
Cienfuegos Meanwhile General Brooke is
sued a proclamation covering the period
of General Blanco's concession to Cuban
debtors, which expired May /. On hearing
OF this action a meeting of the principal
sugar planters in the island was called
and a resolution prepared 10 be telegraphed
10 Cienfuegos. This resolution was TO the
effect that TO permit the foreclosure of the
mortgages held against Cuban realty at
this time would ruin the island and would
be most unjust. Secretary Alger was asked
10 give a decision on the original procla-
nation before leaving the island. He has
done so, and according to the dispatch, he
has decided against the planters.
Acting Secretary Meikiejohn says the
proclamation giving the Cuban debtors
from one 10 three years time in which TO
wipe out their mortgage indebtedness was
devised by General Brooke without con-
suiting the Secretary of War. who, he sup
posed from the dispatch. had. investigated
The conditions and had arrived at the con-
clusion that the proclamation as original
IL prepared was unjust TO the money lend
ers.
His business Partner.
Another dispatch from Havana brought
the information that Colonel HeckeT, -one
of the organizers OF the syndicate of Amer
Jean capitalists formed to construct a Sc
ries of railroads across the island from
north to south, has sailed for New York. >"
Colonel Hecker is the man Secretary Alger
brought from Michigan and put in charge
OF the transportation bureau during the
war. He is also the man against whom
there was directed severe criticism when
there was delay in getting troops TO the
front and when many of them were sent
forward By clrcuitous routes, giving rise
10 the suggestion that there was desire to
favor friendly railways at no matter what
loss 10 the prompt delivery of the volun-
teer sat the points 10 which they were as
signed. He is the man who before being
made a colonel Of volunteers was said 10
be business partner of Secretary Alger.
Acting Secretary Meiklejohn denies that
any Cuban franchises have been granted by
the island government since the Americans
have been in control. He says he knows
nothing OF the syndicate Colonel Hecker is
reported to represent, nor does he know
how it is possible for the syndicate to
build a railroad across Cuba without a
franchise. He says it may be that the
syndicate has come into possession Of a
franchise granted by the Spanish authori-
lies before the Americans reached the ISL
and which may have been declared valid
b. the American authorities.
& LnophoIe.
In the conversation ii was stated that
the Brooke government in Cuba has made
convenient Interpretation of the For
aker resolution passed shortly before
the adjournment of Congress, to the great
annoyance of Senator Hanna. it is said.
and which prohibited the negotiation
in any way OF Cuban franchises. General
B-ooke's Interpretation is that the reso'u-
tion applies only TO nationsl franchises
Municipal franchises are being granted. BY
this decision franchises in all the cities OF
Cuba are at the disposition Of the Secre-
tary Of War through General Brooke.
When Secretary Alger went away there
was talk of a contemplated conference with
some one who was building in Havana a
belt railroad TO connect with the railways
and docks. II was stated not long ago that
the military government in Havana
had decided that franchises might be
granted private individuals or corpora
lions under the Foraker resolution II they
were for enterprises available for Govern
meat necessities There was some talk
then that railway across the island would
be Government necessity.
His Trip Extended.
Secretary Alger is not coming home d.
rectly from Santiago. as it was reported he
would do He is going on TO Ponce and
thesce to San Juan. The ostensible object
OF his trip is TO view the backgrounds OF
The war with Spain. He has with him Col
oael Hecker his alleged business partner.
aud it is now intimated that the Secretary
is combining personal business with that OF
his office. There is some surprise that he
extends his trip while the Philippine sit
uation IS growing daily more comp ated,
and allowing the business of the War De-
partment to be prosecuted by Acting Secre-
iaFy MeiklejohD.
One War Department official has stated
That there is no doubt that the President
has been greatly embarrassed by the scan
dals growing out OF the beef investigation,
hui The opinion was expressed that IL he
intended 10 retire Secretary AIger he would
have done it earlier.
II Nas said yesterday. however, that the
return OF the Secretary would be the pre-
liminary TO his yielding to the pressure of
great business interests long neglected.,
and that he would step down and oat after
expressions of the deepest regret on the
part Of the President and the Cabinet.
No Change in the Schedule.
New York. April 2.-president Young an
nounced yesterday that by the result OF a
mail vote Of all the clubs the schedule
could not be changed and that Dreyfuss
would have TO go without his Sunday
usNaaa \