The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-04
The SANTIAGO REVENUE
It's Capitalization at Havana Hes Stirred
Up the Cubsns.
GENERAL WOOD COMING TO WASHINGTON.
Business Men Hold Mass Meeting
and Protcst-Hnve Fought This
EVIL for Fifty Years.

Santiago de Cuba, January 3.--Majoi
General Leonard Wood, the American mii-
tary commander here. has cabled for per-
mission to 60 70 Washington for two days
add has been granted leave OF absence He
will leave Santiago on beard the transport
Mississippl tomorrow morning. The reason
OF the generals departure Is uphuestion-
ably the order received from Havana TO
trapsmlt the entire customs receipts each
week TO that city.
Az cabled last night. compliance with
thcse Instructions would involve the aban-
donment Of many necessary public i'm
provements, would throw 10000 Cubans out
Of employment ard eend them to the hills
to become bandits ard would revive SPANS
practice OF monetary Capitalization which
caused most OF her troubles in Cuba. 1t
Is believed General Wood 10 detdi'ous Of
seeing tho president on this subject.
There was mass meeting here this at
terrccp OF business men OF all kinds TO
protest againet the order from Havana.
The members of the San Carlos club are
In a FEVER OF excitement. They say, ae
previously stated, that the main cause for
complaint against Spanish rule was the
Continual demand for money obtained from
the different provinces which they claimed
should remain in the provinces and be
ers there.
Colonel valente. the Cuban who was ap-
poirted chief of the gendarmie, was quite
Outspoken on tho subject. He said the Cu
bans had fought fifty years against this
policy and they were ready to fight fifty
years more If necessary. Americans VINO
are familiar with the situation here agree
In saying the Cubans have good cause for
complaint in this instance.
The mass meeting was held In the plaza
and was attended by 5000 persons. E1en-
getfc speeches were made against the pol
icy of centralizing money at Havana. Most
OF the speakers declared that the principle
which 1t was now proposed to put into ef
feet again had been fought against by
them for thirty years. All were exceed
ingly euloglstIc in their references to
General Wood imploring him to use his
influence with the Washington government
against the revival OF one OF the worst fea-
lures OF the Spanish regime.
General Wood expressed the emphatic
opinion that all customs receipts should
be expended In the respective provinces in
OF such percentage for Havana as may be
necessaiu' for governmental expenses. geo.
logical surveys and other features of pub
lie buefness of that character.
The local papers again renew their asser-
tiors that II such an order is enforced It
will mean. II not civil war, at least anarchy
and riot In the province of Santiago. call
ing for large force of United States
troops.
The Cubans are making elaborate prep
aratlors for demonstration on General
WOODS departure. A band will escort him
to the wharf and the member, Of the SUI
prenne court Will accompany the Mississippi
down the bay on steamer at the expense
Of the Cubans. !
Washington. January 3.-The objection OF
the citizens of Santiago to the execution
Of the war departments programme re-
qusriug the customs collections at that port
and at all other Cuban ports 10 be sent !
to Havana hats brought the war depart |
ment face to face with another of the many |
problems connected with the administra- |
ton OF affairs in Cuba that require speedy |
The order is felt to be absolutely neces-
sary. the interests OF good government re-
luirlng that There should be but one re-
sponsible head to the customs service in |
Cuba.
1t was pointed out at the war department
Today that II Santiago at enc end OF the |
sland and Havana near the other end were |
allowed to keep their customs receipts,
such provinces as Puerto Principe and |
Pinar del Rio would be without funds TO
make any public improvements. The Off |
Gals are disposed to allow each OF the mill
AIRY commanders in the seven departments |
INTO which Cuba Is row divided to submit
acquisitions based upon estimates OF cost
If such public works Rs sanitation. harbor
improvements and road and bridge build
ng as II is deemed desirable to undertake. |
The cabinet. which General Brooke is
about to call to his assistance, Will prob
ible take this matter up and settle it with
wisdcm and expectancy.