The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-02
The Spanish-Cuban Bonds.

At about this season Of the year, and
considering current conditions, 1t is
natural to look for spring resurfec-
ton of the old attempt to fasten upon
Cuba the five or six hundred million
dollars of debt incurred by Spain in
her effort to exterminate the Cubans.
As matter of fact, the scheme with
which the American public was used
to be so familiar has not been aban-
d0ned The New York. Boston, Phila-
delphia. and London syndicate which
was once so much in evidence when
John J. McCook was wont to permeate
the Capital just before the Spanish war
is still in existence sore over the pro-
motion money it has advanced. and
still warily watching for an opportunity
TO file its huge and hideous claim against
the Pearl of the Antilles.
We are afraid that much of the viz
tuous indignation we see exhibited be
cause neither the Government nor the
American people are inclined to place
an extreme and suicidal construction
upon the hysterical Teller resolution
of April, 1893, is due TO tie disinter-
ested and philanthropic work of this
Spanish bond syndicate. They under
stand fully that were this country to
accord Cuba fall sovereignty and the
unrestricted right To make treaties, war
and debts at discretion. their share
jn the loot-which might be a hundred
millions or more-nlight possibly BE- Sc
cured. They would doubtless have the
assistance of the foreign bondholders
whom they have put under option and
of the Governments of those bond
FOLDERS. in exerting pressure upon Cuba
10 induce her 10 shoulder that hope
Tess Spanish burden. In the present
political state of the island there is
zoo much reason 20 fear that. We're it
SLOWED complete independence, it m ght
be easy for the Spanish Cuban bond
combination 10 secure complete or par
tial recognition Of its claims by the ex-
penditure of two or three million dol
lars. or even less sum. among the
leading men of the Cuban factions.
1t may be answered to this that the
proposed Cuban constitution, as far as
ii has been formulated, only recognizes
debts in the cause of the movement for
emancipation from the Spanish yoke,
contracted since the beginning of the
last instruction. in February, 1895.
While this is true. it is rather an omi-
nous fact that no distinct Reputation
of the Spanish-Cuban debt has been ac-
complished This is the more difficult 10
understand. since 1t was constructively,
it not directly. repudiated in the Treaty
of Paris. We are a trIfie surprised that
the question has not been agitated in a
convention Of which both Horatio
Rubens and GonZalo de Quesada. for
perly connected with the Cuban revo-
lutionary junta in New York, are men,
cers Possibly they may agree with
the syndicate, that the matter should
BE- left open TO future negotiation
1t is a question which Americans and
Cubans, and particularly Cuban prop
erty holders. ought To bear in mind
when the future relations of the two
countries are under discussion. If the
United States shall do its duty 10 itself
as well as to its ward. and firmly exact
and retain control Of Cuban war. treaty,
and debt powers-eNacting kindly
but effective suzerainty-the probabili-
ties are that these Spanish-Cuban bond
speculations and conspiracies will die
out. and that the money furnished to
Spain IN order to enable her to main
tain a reign OF terror near our coasts,
and to butcher men, women. and chill
dren by the thousands. ultimately viii
be charged off to profit and loss by the
investors. That is a contamination de-
voutly TO be wished. and il is GER
tain one if the policy and course of
this Government are to be marked by
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