The Portland daily press., 1899-01-06
EXPLANATION DOESN'T SATISFY
Santiago People Say Havana Was
BuiIt Up AZ Its Expense.

Santiago de Cuba, January 5.-1he ex-
PLANTATION of the war department at Wash
ington Of its Intentions regarding the
transfer Of customs receipts from the
different ports In Cuba to Havana Is met
here by statements from the Cubans that
the plan is similar to the one adopted by
the Spanish, when acquisitions on Havana
obtained less than six per cent of what
the acquisitions called for. The mer.
chants, business men and influential
people here say Havana has grown rich
and prosperous at the expense of the rest
OF the island and the Cubans and govern
mental officers at Santiago say the Cubans
of Havana are responsible for Major Cen
eral Brocke's order on this subject The
people here add that the Havana Cubans
are still anxious to maintain the same
system of the centrn lization of funds
which was In force before the American
occupation.
DR. Castillo and Mayor Baocardi have
proved true In this crisis and have urged
the citizens to remain peaceful while
awaiting the results of General Wood 8
and DIR. Castillo's trip to Washington.
General Wood, accompanied by his aide
de camp Lieutenant Hanna and DIR.
Castillo, representing the merchants and
business men of this city, left here for
New York today on the transport Missis-
sippi. They. were accorded an enthusiastic
ovation on their departure from the palace
and during their passage down Mariana
street to the wharf. The municipal band
preceded General Wood. who was accom-
panied By the mayor and staff and large
number Of officers and Cubans. General
Wood was deeply moved. There were be-
tween 5000 and 5000 persons In tho process
sion and the women wept and wished the
general bon voyage. Cuban gratitude was
never more clearly expressed. Men who a
few weeks ago were antaRoDistic to the
American commander were today among
his most enthusiastic supporters
The members Of the Supreme court and
the bond OF the fifth regular infantry
were on board the auxiliary gunboat Hist
which saluted the Mississippi and babe
her farewell in the usual manner. The
Mississippi, which was brilliantly deco
rated, was also saluted by the Punta
DO rda batteries.
Though the situation Is critical it is
committed unless the populace Is aroused
by further irritating orders from Havana.
As the Mississippi was leaving she ran
into the remaining portion OF the U. b.
collier Merrimac, sunk by Naval Con-
structor Hobson, projecting above the
water, ana carried away COtnpletely the
smo kestacks. The transport came to an
Choir for half an hour but IL was found
that she had received no damage.
A despatch was received from Havana
today, say Ing that the customs receipts
may remain at Santiago. The effects OF
this information are on the whole good,
especially SO far as the laborers are con-
cerned fol-, prior to the Issuance Of the
concentration order now suspended,
mum srous warrants had been issued ssfol
necessary improvements
Senior Bacardi, the mayor. has assursd
the lsborers that all works now in pro
gress will go on and therefore, there Is moi
likely to be any Immediate trouble. Blu,
educated Cubans. the memb ers of the
San Carlos club. the judges of the SUI
preme court, the local newspapers Anc
Cuban and foreign merchants here agree
that the situation Is substantially I'M
changed and that any such project a,
was originally outlined simply meani
taxation without representation. TheiI
argument IL that Gen. Brooke, residing
in Havana, will always be aLtagonistic
b. the interests Of the province of Santi-
ago and likely to object to the necessary
expenditure In this section. Prominent
Cubans hssert that If q Cuban govern
ment should assume to Issue such an or
demonstrating the customs receipts
at Havana-civil war would break out
Immediately. AS IL is, however, every
thing 10 quiet and orderly in anticipation
of favorable results from Gen. Woods &
concentrations at Washington.