The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-01
G0MEZ'S MONSTROUS DEMAND
S57,OOO,OO SAID TO BE HIS PRICE
FOR PEACE IN CUBA.
Value of His own Services Estimated
at 1000 n Year and OF His
Chief Assistants $1,000.

HAVANA, Jan. 31.-Robert p Porter, the
representative of President Mckinley, and
Senior Gonzales Quesada, the Cuban COM
missioner, who recently left Washington on
a special mission to Cuba, started at 6
o'clock this morning for Caibarien, province
of Santa Clara, in order TO see General
Maximo Gomez Mr. Porter's mission to-
General Gomez is of two-fold character, to
discuss with him fully the position of the
Cuban army and to invite him to Havana.
The Washington administration desires an
immediate and friendly settlement Of the
Cuban army question. AS the military
chiefs decisively refuse to accept $4,000
in complete satisfaction Of the claims of the
soldiery, Washington has determined, it is
understood, to offer a much larger sum,
even as high as $15000,O00, if less will not be
accepted. Whatever is agreed on is to be-
charge upon the revenues of the island
until it is paid. The Cubans. civilians and
military, are aware that an engagement
Of this sort may prolong the American oe-
cupation, but as it seems to be their earnest
wish that the army be paid a great sum,
the administration at Washington will yield,
it is understood and open negotiations with
this ultimate object.
Mr.. Porter is said to carry letters from
President Mckinley and Governor General
Brooke. The scope of his instructions is
not disclosed, except that it is known that
he has rather full preliminary powers.
SenOr Quesada did not know them until ha
and Mr.. Porter were aboard ship. The Gu
bans here are in a state of expectation and
excitement The business classes are
pleased at the prospect of settlement
Merchants for a fortnight have been afraid
to place large orders, being uncertain of the
future. Shares on the LOCAL bourse rose
from one to three points to-day, which is
generally attributed to the probability that
the Cuban soldiery will be disbanded and
will return to work.
Col. Jose Antonio Gonzales Lanuza, for
merly secretary of the Cuban Junto IN New
York. and a member Of the special Cuban
commission that has recently conferred
with President Mckinley. said. in the
course of an interview, published in La
Discussion to-day that the result of the
commissions trip to Washington is not all
that had been hoped for, owing to many
unfortunate circumstances. President Nc
Kinley intiInated to the commission his
readiness to appropriate $3,000O00 towards
the payment of the army, but this sum
would be quite insufficient. In the opinion
OF Colonel LanuZa the amount offered would
have been much greater but for the un-
certainty as to the Philippine question and
the possibility of heavy expenditures there.
Cuba's hope is he declared, that Com
gress will, later on vote a credit for the
payment Of the Cuban army but, owing to
the peace treaty debate the Nicaragua
canal bill and the question OF army in
creases in the United States, Congress may.
possibly, be unable to attend to the ques-
tion of paying off the Cuban troops before
next December" Colonel Lanuza advises the
Cubans to begin making appeals to that end.
individually and collectively, to Governor
General Brooke and to the Washington au-
thorities. as has been so successful in the
case of the Banco Espanol. This method he
regards as the best for obtaining full pay
ment. 1.-THE military occupation of CUBA
by the United States" Colonel Lanuza as
serts, will last no longer than the Cubans
themselves make 1t necessary. For the
present the display of armed force in Cuba
must be continued because the Washing
ton administration wants to represent that
the United States need an augmented
army"
The examination of Senior Galbis, president
VI TIC DdiCO IlSpdAUlB BeiOIE the SBSEidA
finance commission investigating Havana
finances began to-day. Although far from
well, ne said he had appeared in response
to the commissions urgent request, which,
as q matter of fact, was a very peremptory
summons. The questions asked him were OF
a general character, those touching the sup
posed Irregularities of the bank and its
transactions with the Spanish government
said the bank paid gold for the first mort
gage, 100000 6 per cent hfty-year bonds,
taken at 90 in 1890, and that for the differ
ence between that issue and the bond re-
funded at Sc, ,72l 0OO the bank had paid in 10
date. The city now owed the bank on that
account, and on others, he asserted, the
sum OF $l1l,00O. Senior Galbls described the
banks system of the tax collection He be-
lleved the water rents had been one-third re-
mitted by the Spanish administration, 50
that the city ought to collect $45o.000 annu-
ally instead Of $4,000.
The commission is determined TO go back
of the 1870 bonds and to inquire as to the
basis of the refunded issues. The accounts
ants Of the commission began their examina-
ton Of the banks tax books to-day senor
Galbis viii appear before the commission
on Thursday. The bank is nominally repre-
sented on the commission by Senior NJ Wiz
laneva an old employe OF the institution but
he does not participate In the Investigations,
alleging illness as an excuse The commits
sion is already convinced that the Havana
taN&s ought to yield and will yield S. 100000
a year instead of S2,0o0,e0 when honestly
collected.
WHAT CUBANS DEMANDED.
Asked So, 100000 for Disbanding the