The times., 1899-04-14
PLANTERS SEE THE PRESIDENT.
More Time in Payment of Mortgages
Wanted.

delegation of three prominent Cubans
arrived in Washington yesterday TO colfer
with President Mckinley in the interest
gates were elected by the Circudo de
Haciendas, an association formed of the
planters and farmers of Cuba
The delegates are Gabriel Campos, a
lawyer and planter of Matanzasj province;
Eduardo Ferrer, a planter OF Santa Cara
province, and Emeterio Gorilla, a Spanish
banker and land owner of Havana pro-
vince. When the delegates arrived hare
they informed Senior Gonzala de Quesada
that he had been appointed a member OF
the delegation and would represent Puer-
to Principe, where he holds land.
The delegation comes here with the rec
ommendation of Gen. Maxine Gomez, and
the object desired is the extension of the
time for the payment of the interest and
principal of the mortgages now resting
upon the plantations and cultivated lands
of Cuba The bulk of these mortgages
are held by American capitalists. who are
pressing their claims and demanding i'm
mediate settlement or payment in the
near future.
The delegates will call upon the Presi-
dent tomorrow and ask that the time in
which the mortgages will be foreclosed be
extended until the lands have been gotten
into shape again and the money raised. IL
is asked that the decision of Secretary Al
ger, in resembling the edict extending the
time for foreclosure to six years, be re-
pealed, as it is unjust. and offers the far
mers and planters no hope, and threatens
them with poverty and loss Of lands and
homes.
The delegates state that the island has
been in a state of warfare for so many
years that the people have been unable
TO cultivate, their lands, and for long
time have derived no revenue whatever
from them. In nearly every case, they
claim. the planters mortgaged their homes
because OF dire necessity, and as no crops
have been raised, it was impossible to
meet obligations.
Relief must be granted, say the Cubans
and the time on mortgages extended or
the agricultural interests OF Cuba. which
mean the prosperity of Cuba. will be given
death blow and the people will be worse
OF even than during the Spanish regime. II
would mean, the Cubans claim a great set
back to the future prosperity of the ISL
and. and the restoration of peace and
order would be retarded. This at the pres
ent means everything. say the delegates,
and II the people are to return to peaceful
avocations the plantations and the culti-
waited lands must be left open and in the
hands of the landed proprietors
The delegates spent the day in prepar-
ling petition TO President Mex nley. which
will be presented tomorrow. The petition
sets forth the conditions as outlined above
and dwells at length upon the hardships
endured by the planters and the injustice
of Secretary Alger's ruling. Taxation and
the need of agricultural machinery will be
referred to among other matters.
The delegates are being assisted by Hora-
ito Rubens. formerly counsel to the Garcia
Cuban Commission. They are confident
that the President will take favorable ac-
tiOn in the matter of extending the time
on mortgages. The delegates will not dis
euss the present situation on the island,
stating shat they are here representing
the farmers and planters of Cuba. regard
less of political opinions. and will do their
utmost for the good of their eountrymen