The evening times., 1900-04-28
THE TREATY With SPAIN
Stipulations of Article Seven Dis
cussed in the House.
IL Affects Indemnity Claims for Loss
of Property During the Late War.
The appointment of n Commission
to Handle the Entire Subject Rec
ommended-SaIaries to he Allowed

The bill to carry into effect the stipuls-
lions of Article VII Of the Spanish-Ameri-
can Peace Treaty of December IS, 1888,
was called up in the House al > O'Clock this
afternoon by Mr.. Haugen of Iowa, of the
Committee on War Claims. This bill
passed the Senate March 1s, was introduced
in the House March 20. and reported March
81.
BY the seventh article OF the recent
Treaty with Spain it was stipulated that
the United States and Spain mutually re-
linquish all claims for indemnity. national
and individual. of either kind, Of either
Government, or of its citizens or subjects.
against the other Government. that may
have arisen since the beginning Of the late
insurreotion in Cuba and prior to the ex
change of ratifcations of the present
treaty. including all claims for indemnify
for the cost of the war.
The article then declares that the Unit
ed States will adtudicate and settle the
claims of its citizens against Spain relin-
quished in this article.
The President OF the United States, in his
annual message laid before Congress. said:
Il would recommend appropriate legis-
lation in order to carry intb execution Ar
tiele VII of the Treaty Of Peace with Spain,
by which the United States assumed the
payment of certain claims for indemnity Of
its citizens against Spain
The report Of the committee recites;
AT the present time, while our military
officers are stationed in every part OF
Cuba, it is wise 10 bring these claims be-
fore a tribunal which viii, by means Of
their cooperation, have every opportunity
to give them close scrutiny and sift the
just from the unjust.
"A prompt adjudication Of these claims
is therefore demanded no less BY con-
sideration Of the public interest tdan by
the condition OF our citizens who were
materially Injured or impoverished during
TIE recent insufrection in Cuba
In the bill now submitted the inter-
/ ests OF the Government are we'll protected.
Ii provides for the appointment OF counsel,
who shall be a member OF the bar Of the
Supreme Court OF the United States. 10
represent these interests. a safeguard not
found in any previous domestic tribunal OF
this character except in the Court OF Com
missioners OF Alabama Claims The bill
also authorizes the commissioners 10 ad-
minister oaths. and make willful false
swearing in relation to these claims per
jury II requires all testimony. where
practicable. 10 be taken upon interrogafo-
ries
The bill 10 carry into effect the 'rrcdty
Of Paris for the settlement OF these claims
should be as broad as the treaty. so IS 10
be valid and not subject 20 criticism for
modifying or putting narrow construe-
tion on the same and limiting the Just La
bility Of the United States In an unwar-
ranted manner, contrary to the provisions
s.E b.,
o. he land and is not subject 70 modih-
cation by the legislative branch Of the
Government
Sufficient precautions are provided TO
fully protect the United States Withol
hardahips TO claimants by providing IN
necessary court procedure. costs which
they have no funds TO ,4y. and appeals TO
indefinitely pr0long and embarrass the set
tlement OF such obligations.
"On account Of the proximity OF Cuba 10
the United States. the close commercial
relations. and the attitude or this Govern
ment FOR three-quarters OF a century in
treating Cubans more like kinsmen than
foreigners and encouraging our citizens TO
engage in business and locate there by the
various Utterances of our officials and at
tempts TO purchase the island. which is so
close 10 our shores. and especially on ac-
eornt Of our recent assumed and moral
obligations 20 these people as our wards
and as trustee OF their rights and inter
ests we are further and more solemnly
bound to aid and succor them
These claims should not be confoundeG
with such as the French spolation ami
other claims where this Government never
ass Imed by -reaty or otherwise a direct
obligation TO pay them propmtly."
The bill provides that the salaries and
compensation OF the persons appointed un-
der the bill shall be as follows:
To each of The three Commissioners the
sum OF $5.o0e.
20 the Assistant Attorney General. the
sum CT 5000.
To the clerk. the sum of S3.500.
To such assistant attorneys ss may be
employed al the rate Of S2O0 per month 10
each for the time of actual employment
To the messenger and 10 each stenogra-
pher and typewriter, the sum OF 81 200 per
annum.
To each Interpreter not exceeding the
sum of Sl.SG0 per annum.
Mr.. Ray OF New York took the floor in
opposition 10 the bill.