The times., 1899-04-14
SEEN AND HEARD IN THE HOTELS

SEEA IN IL nEARD IN IHE nUIElS
Pablo d'Esvernine, Secretary of Finance
of General Brookes Cabinet arrived in
the city last night and will be in confer
ence with Administration officers several
DAYS regarding the difficult and delicate
question of the Cuban mortgages so much
discussed recently. NJ dEsvernine was
seen by reporter for The Times at the
Ebbitt last night, In reference TO his mis-
sion.
Il have paid my respects to the Presi-
dent and the Acting Secretary OF War he
said, but have not as yet conferred with
the Attorney General. and therefore can
not tell you of any progress in my WORK,
or OF any conclusions arrived at Perhaps
tomorrow there may be news
las you know, the question OF the heavy
mortgages on so many OF the Cuban plan
tations has been very difficult one. As
a result of the war large part of the
plantations were destroyed and most Of the
remainder rendered unprodEctive. The
owners moT;gaged them heavily and some
times at excessive rates of interest per-
haps General Weyler extended these
mortgages when they became due and
General Blanco did the same. The eX-
tension mortgages became due on April l,
til May. by General Brooke
1T is realized that something must be
done. We DO not know exactly what. as
yet. Perhaps there viii be a further
definite period of extension, with the un-
derstanding that il is to be the last Per-
haps toe in the cases of excessive interest
charges reductions of the rates will be en-
forced. The time is short until May l,
and General Brooke is anxious to have
he ,e
The condition of the plantations is
really deplorable from business point
OF view. IL is not question of sympathy
with the plantation owners. or not wholly
at any rate, but for an absolutely neces-
sary move for the benefit of the Govern
ment and the welfare of the country"
NJ. d'Esvernine has made arrangements
for his conference with Attorney General
Grlggs today
General Brooke's Secretary of Finance is
a Cuban, though a descendant of
French family. He was prominent law
yer in Havana before the Cuban war for
Independence broke out and became
refugee three years ago. He came TO
America with his family, Nine. Esyernine
and two daughters. He lived in New York
until last january, when he returned 10
Havana and was appointed 10 his present
position. He is a man of education and
little foreign accent.
Don NJ Dickinson was in the city for
few hours yesterday, staying at the Ar
lington.
prominent party of New York Cath
oltcs. including Archbishop Corrigan,
former Postmaster General Thomas l..
James, who is now president OF the Lincoln
National Bank of New York; John X Van
Woermer. and C. G. O'Keeffe. arrived in
the city yesterday. They spent several
very busy hours with official and clerical
people before they returned, although tney
came late in the day, and their visit was
the cause of much comment and gossip.
President James is one OF the most intiu-
ential laymen Of the Catholic Church in
New York He is particular personal
friend OF Archbishop Corrisan. The gen
tlemen called on the President during the
evening They also had somewhat ex-
tended conference with Mgr. Martinelii,
the Papal Delegate, and other caps were
made later in the evening. 1t is supposed
that the visit of the party has reference
10 the wish OF prominent Catholics that
the church be represented on the American
Commission to the Cars Disarmament
Conference It will be remembered that
the rumor was current some time ago that
Archbishop Ireland had been asked to be
q member of tke Commission and that he
denied the story
Col Jesse R. Phillips, of Wichita, Kan,
said to a Times reporter last night at the
National Hotel regarding the increasing
reports of damages to the wheat crop in
the West: The worst stories ] have heard
since j came East few days ago are Of the
crops In my own State. The newspapers
have contained very disoouraging estimates
-l,a l.vn oI- odxyd tn
tion the Government crop report issued the
other day. l believe, as usual, these sto-
Ties are largely exaggerated. AT this sea-
son there are always stories OF unseason-
able weather. OF drought or too much
rain. or Of too late spring. If all the re-
ports printed each spring were true Ameri-
ca and Europe would be forced TO depend
On something other than wheat for their
food supply. The best conditions do not
sxist in Kansas this year. and it is proba
ble that the spring wheat crop will be
somewhat smaller than II was last year
But there will be crop and good one.
II is not generally known, but there is
very large amout Of wheat still held by the
farmers from last year. The phenomenal
crop last year made the farmers rich,
comparatively, paid off their mortgages,
and more than that, gave them feeling
Of independence, which has resulted in
their holding back the wheat for better
prices. The advance in the price today
will probably bring some OF this surplus
out, but not all OF it,
The graduating class OF the Friends
Central School of Philadelphia, the fash
ionable seminary for young women, are
visiting Washington as the completion OF
their course They viii be in the city sew
eral days. They are stopping at the Eb-
bitt-
William H. Armstrong. a prominent G.
A. r. man Of indianapolis, is at the Eb
bitt.
ONCE AGAIN DISCHARGED.
L. ID. Reid Declared Innocent of the
Manassas Murder.
z. B. Reid, charged with having mur-
dered his double first cousin. Mrs. Capitol
Butler. on the night of November II, 1898,
was again given an examination yesterday