New-York tribune., 1900-05-06
ErETrAS
SWEET.

Monteyideo and in the reason Of their going there
is a story to show that smart American bust
ness man can occasionally get ahead of a crowd
Of polite and procrastinating army officials. en-
gagged, one and all in that popular occupation Of
holding a sinecure. This commission was
officially styled the Commission for the Selection
and Transportation Of Material Of War" and at
its head was General Nicolas Jaramillo It was
composed Of thirty-ive officers, all told. from
colonies down. and those who Were appointed
thereon considered themselves most fortunate be
cause. IN consideration Of service in the tropics
they drew considerable increase over what their
pay in Spain would have been; their work was
light, averaging two hours a day. and the fact
that they constituted Spain's last official repre-
sentatives in Manila gave them a certain prestige
Their duties being to receive and provide for the
Spanish prisoners IN rebel hands fast as the
Spaniards got away and drifted into Manila and
TO dispose OF Spain's property remaining in the
Philippines, they consequently had little TO do
The work in regard to the prisoners could have
been done by six officers = well as by thirty-hve
and the duties In connection with the property
were by themselves made the principal reason to
account for the stay Of the numerous commission
IN Manila.
The Spanish Government in August last offered
Cor sale by auction q great quantity OF ord metal
being practically the war material which It was
the duty OF this commission dispose OF. The
greater part OF this metal bought by the rep
resentative Of an American firm sent out Manila
for this purpose, and the payment therefor
made direct TO the Spanish Minister Of War in
Madrid As fast as the material paid for the
Minister Of War notified 10 the commission that
such and such material could be delivered to the
Manila representative Of the American buyers
whereupon the commission here would inform this
man. who may be called Mr. Fo-man that he was
at liberty 10 remove the property. Mr.. Forman
procured charters on vessels TO the United States
and slowly this old metal was started on its voy-
age to the Atlantic coast
OUTWITTED BY THE AMERICAN.
The last payment OF 10000 pesetas for copper was
made TO the Spanish Government in Madrid about
the middle of December. 1539, and Mr.. Forman, in
Manila. set about providing transportation for this
last lot of metal He went frequently to the office
of the Spanish commission over in the walled city
asking them If Madrid had sent them instructions
to deliver the copper. Now. this copper was the
last OF the material; its delivery would bring
end TO the commissions excuse for remaining
in the Philippines and all the commissioners
agreed they did not then want TO return home:
and their hope Of remaining dependent
upon the non-delivery Of the copper to Mr.. For
man IL tacItly understood that Mr.. Forman
should get the property minute before It
was necessary. As a matter Of fact Mr.. Forman
did want the copper at that time not having
as yet arranged for transportation the United
States. But. with American insistency he went
every few days 10 the commissioners. and they
always cheerfully told him. mot yet. Mr.. Forman.
Madrid has instructions" Mr.. Forman
doubted the truth OF these statements. Upon for
mer occasions Madrid had always informed the
commission Immediately after the proper payment
to deliver the property, and he could see no reason
for this delay in the present instance.
Mr. FOrrnan February had finally arranged
for the transportation OF this copper and all delay
after that date was a loss of time and money to
his firm Hs persistent demands upon the com
mission for the delivery OF his goods always
brought the same answer No instructions from
Madrid" anc after week more OF this Kind Of
business the American decided take matters
into his own hands Mr.. Forman February ls
cabed the Spanish Minister of War that he could
not obtain the delivery of his goods. paid for In
December. as the Manila commissioners declared
they had received Instructions from their home
Government TO hand the goods. He said this
delay causing him damage. and he asked the
Secretary TO instruct the commission to fulfil It's
Governments contract. The expense OF this cable
viii be charged the commission - added Mr. For
man.
Three days after sending the cable message TO
Madrid Mr. Forman happened be the Span
ish arsenal in Manila when two officers In.
talking between themselves about going home and
speculating as TO where they could best sell their
household furnishings. These Spanish officers were
members of the commission. and Mr.. Forman.
Judging from their conversation came TO the con-
oiusicn that something had happened. He drove
oyer TO the commissions Office. and paper was
handed TO him ordering the immediate delivery Of
his property we have Just heard from Madrid -
explained Colonel --. "A cable dispatch has
come calling the greater part of this commission
back TO Spain. telling to close up our business
here as soon as possible and let you have your
copper at once" Subsequently Mr. Forman saw
the dispatch in question. and IT contained refer
ence TO himself his copper il simply told the
1.samission to finish up its business and return