The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-05-17
CUBAN REVENUE FOR CUBA
He Declares That American Officials
Have Embezzled Large Amounts.
CUBA IS NOT CONQUERED TERRITORY
II is Said That S400, 900 Has Been Embezz'ed
and So Many Men Are Involved That
it Looks Like a Coar
spiracy.
(By Associated Pr S. }


(By Associated Pr ss.)
Washington, May 16.-Discussion of the
Administration of affairs in Cuba BY
agents of the United States occupied the
attention of the Senate during the greater
part of tcday's session. Mr.. Bacon.
(Ga), called up his resolution directing
the Committee on Relations with Cuba
TO make an investigation Of the conduct of
financial affairs of the island and ad-
maintained it was the duty OF Congress 20
make the investigation called Cor by the
resolution, because it was due the people
of this country to know just how affairs
in the island were being conducted, aad
since the disclosures of tie past few days
had been made with respect to the mis-
appropriation of funds in the postal ser
vice. the obligation upon Congress- tC
make an investigation was doubly heavy.
He reviewed the situation as recently pre-
sented in newspaper and official reports
from the island and urged that the conor
of the country depended upon its being
able 10 clear away the fraud and couup
tion which it was charged had been dis
covered. He maintained the Government
of the United States had no authority in
Cuba and demanded 10 know how soon !
proposed to redeem its pledge and leave
the government of the island TO its in
habitants.
In speaking to the resolution Mr.
Bacon submitted the proposition that
there could be no more mandatory duty
than that which rests upon the United
States that every dollar collected in Cuba
should be applied to the people o. Cuba.
The United States was a self constituted
agent in Cuban affairs.
1t was, he said, a plain duty of Con-
gress to see to it that every dollar col
lected in Cuba should be honestly handled
and rigidly accounted for a TASK di!h-
cult. however, because of the sys.nr of
absolutism in vogue IN our admlnistra-
ton in Cuba.
But" he declared, I'VE are not urged
alone by the voice of duty. The facts
urge the investigation to be made. There
has been in Cuba the most eXorbitant AID
eXtravagant expenditure Of money.
IF" he said, I'VE had before us only
the naked fact that the receipts on the
island during a single year were hoie
than SIG 600 600 and the expenditures
more than $4,000 900. We would be bound
to investigate the subject 10 see that
this vast sum had been properly and pru
IDENTIFY handled"
Mr. Bacon discussed at length the al
lowances made to various officers in CUBA
by direction of the then Secretary OF War
General Alger. He inquired WAY such
allowances were not made to General VIII
son and General Lee. He read the order
Of General Alger making an allowance of
81, $50 per year in addition to his salary
to General Brooke.
What is there" Mr. Bacon inquired,
lin the office OF the Governor General OF
Cuba which requires him to exercise iunc-
tions of greater dignity than n general
commanding an army in the field to
give him vice regal authority?
Mr.. Bacon declared that one Of the
prominent officials in Cuba had used tire
Cuban funds with which to purchase Ter-
sonal apparel and that there were We'll
founded rumors that there had been the
most eXtravagant expenditure Of Cuban
funds for fitting up luxurious quarters for
officers and furnishing these officers
horses, carriages and liveried servants.
Still further, said he, within the
past week the fact has been discloSed-a
fact that brings the blush of shame to
the cheek Of every American citizen
that trusted officials in Cuba have mis-
appropriated large amounts belonging to
the people of Cuba. Nobody knows how
large these amounts are. At first it was
stated they were $4,000; next it was said
they would amount to $75, 900, and now
it is intimated the amounts may aggre
gate $500 900. At first one man only was
involved in the difficulty Now there are
many-so many that it is intimated it may
amount to a conspiracy
Mr.. Bacon then referred directly to the
alleged embezzlement of postal funds III
Cuba ard read the order under which
Major Rathbone was acting as director OF
posts of Cuba. The power conferred upon
him by that order was so great said Mr..
Bacon, that it had resulted in a disgrace
full and mortifying condition of affairs.
Interrupting Mr.. Bacon, Mr. Hale,
tMaine). asserted that the order creating
Major Rathbone's office of "a character
of power such as was given to Roman
pro-consuls. There is nothing like it
in this government. 1t is power unre-
strained, unbridled'
Mr.. Bacon said that he had under
stood that the majority of the Commit
tee cn Relations with Cuba did not de-
sire an investigation of Cub,n fairs by
Congress because Senator'S were startled